Dr. P. Vivekanandan is the Vice Principal, Academics and Head of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering at SNS College of Technology, Coimbatore since 2020. He holds a doctoral degree in Composite Materials (Mechanical Engineering) from Anna University. With more than 25 years of experience and strong leadership qualities, Dr. P. Vivekanandan implements policies and procedures that support student learning and well-being to ensure an empathetic learning environment at SNS College of Technology which has had a great impact on the success of the institution in the education community.

SNS College of Technology

What is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

A leader is accountable for the vision of the institution. An academic leader should create students to be lifelong learners who honour a variety of backgrounds and perceptions through modelling that facilitates courageous conversations throughout their profession. A leader should also support the students for their outstanding performance in academics and placements, which leads to the triumphs of the organisation by outspreading the resources in the institution. At SNS College of Technology, we provide valuable learning experiences not only for the students but also for the faculty members. As an administrative leader, we stimulate the professional development of the faculty members and students through effective guidance and inspiration towards our institutional goal.

Any insights into how your college could be more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

At SNS College of Technology, we welcome students of several races from diverse backgrounds to foster and develop cultural sensitivity and we display images that reflect diversity and promote inclusion. To empower strong communication skills, we have included additional languages like French, German, and Hindi in our Design Thinking Based Curriculum, which provides our students with opportunities to secure jobs and career opportunities abroad. On our college premises, we render counselling services and have student support groups. We make our students feel valued, respected and supported in their learning journey. We celebrate diversity by acknowledging the cultural holidays, traditions and achievements of students from various diverse backgrounds. Our classroom environment encourages positive relationships and empathy in the learning community.

What are some plans that you are currently (or will be) designing for students?

At SNS College of Technology, we emphasise a Design Thinking based educational framework through assorted teaching pedagogies that engage students in research that fosters, critical thinking, problem-solving skills and innovation. Our curriculum also involves choice-based assignments, internships, research and capstone projects and opportunities for self-paced learning. Our students also do collaborative research initiatives with faculty members and industry partners. We push our students towards integrity and ethical learning through consistent actions and decisions. We are aligned with educational standards and learning objectives that are tailored to student needs and abilities. We organise several technical and networking events that supplement the technical curriculum.

How do you tend to establish a healthy relation and environment in your college?

We maintain healthy relationships through positive interactions, promoting inclusivity through our remedial actions and constructive feedback to address concerns, clarify expectations and promote understanding between the mentors and the mentees. We have campus activities, club activities and leadership opportunities for our students. We provide the All Round Performer Award for the students and the Best Outgoing Student Award for the students, which motivates them throughout their careers. We celebrate diversity, and multiculturalism from a global perspective. We create occasions for students to collaborate, connect and build relationships with industries and organisations for the curriculum and also through extracurricular activities and events.

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What do you think should be the College’s top priority over the next 10 years?

Over the next 10 years, we aim to enhance student success and retention rates to fulfil the mission of educating and empowering students. We would implement new policies, and promote diversity in all aspects of campus life to address systematic barriers to success. We will continue our academic support services, mentorship programs, career counselling and financial assistance to help students overcome challenges and achieve their educational goals. We will also work to strengthen partnerships with employers and provide more career development resources to help students transition into their careers. The college will integrate sustainability principles into the curriculum by collecting feedback from stakeholders for decision-making and strategic planning. As a part of institutional effectiveness, we would have extended our college infrastructure technically to support modern teaching, learning and administrative tasks.

How do you try to bring in practical approach towards subjects and make it industry oriented?

We provide hands-on training experiences and problem-solving exercises in the learning process through internship programs and laboratory classes integrating real-world applications. We do experimental learning activities such as simulations, experiments, virtual labs, field trips, multimedia resources, online platforms, internships and project-based assignments to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts and also to gain hands-on experience relevant to their field of study. We develop our students through problem-based learning that fosters inquiry, creativity and problem-solving skills. We incorporate active learning strategies such as debates, peer group learning, group discussions, interactive exercises, practical demonstrations, and portfolio assessments to provide immersive learning experiences that facilitate experimentation. 

How do you strategize the curriculum and how often it gets updated to make it befitting for the students? 

Our Design Thinking based curriculum involves courses like Humanity, Social Science, Basic Science, Engineering, programme electives, professional electives, open electives, mandatory courses and internships, along with mini projects. We also offer special courses like Design Thinking and Innovation, Personality Development and VQAR, which help students in placements. We also have mandatory courses like Environmental Sciences and Sustainability, Indian Constitution, and Essence of Indian Traditional Knowledge to increase general awareness about society. At SNS College of Technology, we update our syllabus and curriculum once every five years. We frame our syllabus and curriculum after conducting a Board of Studies meeting, which involves discussions and opinions from industry experts, alumni and academicians.

How does your college prepare students for placements?

We explore student interests, strengths and career goals through academic subjects like personality development, career courses like personnel psychology and technical interviewing, and employability skill development. Through placement coordinators, we counsel and guide the students to explore their interests, strengths and career goals. We provide guidance in resume writing, job search strategies, interview preparation, and professional networking to empower students to navigate the job market successfully. Moreover, we conduct workshops and seminars on topics such as communication skills, interpersonal skills, time management and leadership development to enhance student professional competencies and readiness for the workplace.

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Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to the real world challenges?

We have numerous student club activities based on the diverse interests, hobbies and career aspirations of the students. We provide leadership development, teamwork, event planning, and community service opportunities for the students along with entrepreneurship and innovation programs. We provide resources, mentorship, and incubation support for students to launch startups, develop business plans, and pitch their ideas to investors. We organize hackathons, coding competitions and programming challenges to encourage students to apply their technical skills, collaborate with peers and to solve real-world problems. We facilitate community service and volunteer programs that enable students to engage with local communities, address social issues and make a positive impact through service-learning projects. 

When you came to the college, what was your vision and how are you trying to achieve the same? 

Through our institution and my role, I would like to empower all the students at SNS College of Technology by providing them with the knowledge, skills and support that they need to succeed academically, personally and professionally. Throughout my career, I have fostered a culture of curiosity, empathy, intercultural competence, compassion, integrity and social responsibility inside and outside the classroom for all the students.

How does the department/college enhance the skills of the faculty and prepares them according to the industry standards?

We ensure relevance and quality education by enhancing the skills of faculty members through workshops on educational technology tools focused on pedagogy, instructional design, assessment methods and emerging trends in the digital learning environment to meet industry standards. We provide research and scholarship opportunities for faculty members to enhance their teaching skills and incorporate innovative teaching practices into their courses. We encourage faculty to participate in industry conferences, workshops, and collaborative research projects to stay informed about current industry standards and expectations.

What do you see the college’s greatest strengths and how it can be enhanced?

We invest in recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty members who are dedicated in teaching, research and student mentorship. We prioritise student well-being, engagement and success by offering personalised academic advice, support services and extracurricular opportunities that cater to diverse student needs and interests through our innovative teaching methods in our technology-enhanced learning environments. Also, we provide collaborative opportunities to support research endeavours in the academic community to promote active learning in student-centred programs, alumni mentorship programs and networking events to support students.

What valuable advice would you like to give the students for them to have a prosperous career ahead? 

We advise students to stay updated on industry trends with new skills and also to acquire educational opportunities that enhance their knowledge and expertise. Students should find mentors who can provide guidance, and advice and support their progress in their career. Students should learn from their experiences, seek feedback, and leverage their insights to overcome challenges towards their goals. They must cultivate professional relationships to build a strong network of contacts within the industry, as it can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and valuable connections throughout their career.