Dr. J. Gladson Maria Britto is working as a Professor and Head in the Department of CSE(DS) & AI&DS at Malla Reddy College of Engineering, Hyderabad. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in CSE, Master’s in CSE and Doctoral Degree in CSE from various state government universities. He has 14 years of teaching experience and four years of industry experience. He has published 21 research papers in various international conferences and reputed journals and also published eight patents, five books, and two book chapters. He has attended 51 various activities like seminar, workshops, fdps, sttps, and quizzes. Dr. Britto guided 11 UG projects, four P.G Projects and one PhD scholar. He has received the AICTE -Viswakarma Award in the year 2020 and Star Performer From MHRD in the year 2019. His interest areas are Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and IoT based applications. He is an active member in various professional bodies like ISTE, and CSI.

Malla Reddy College of Engineering [MRCE]

You have held key positions throughout your professional career, what are the special practices at the MRCE institution that you observed and you would like to highlight?

We have an interdisciplinary education system at our institute where we teach hands-on learning. We have taken care to include research opportunities by building industry partnerships that also promotes global engagement. We actively promote diversity and inclusion, ethics and professionalism among our students through our team of faculty members, community engagement, and wide alumni network. We also make use of technology, career services, soft skills development, student feedback, and have bought in innovation in teaching. 

Technology is going through a lot of dynamic changes these days, what steps are you taking in order to be updated with the latest trends and incorporate them into the curriculum of your department?

We hold faculty training and development training for the benefit of our students. Our advisory boards help us with curriculum review and revision. We have flexibility in course content that we can change as and when required. We regularly organise guest lectures and industry engagement to help promote research and innovation. We have made use of the best online learning resources,a and hackathons to teach our students as well. 

What are the current biggest challenges in the field of Data Science domain in general, and how do you plan to address them as a HOD?

Some of our biggest challenge is regarding data privacy and ethics. We also face issue ensuring data quality and preprocessing. There is an acute talent shortage for faculty members. The rapid technological changes make it hard for us to keep up. Some other issues we face are interdisciplinary collaboration, big data and scalability, bias and fairness in AI, security and privacy in AI. We also working hard on addressing issues related to resource constraints, continuous learning and research, global collaboration, assessment and quality assurance.

How do you collaborate with industries and other academic institutions to provide practical exposure and internships for your students?

Collaborations between educational institutions and industries or other academic institutions can greatly enhance the educational experience for students, providing them with real-world exposure and practical skills. Regular communication, evaluation, and adaptation of strategies are key to successful partnerships. We have industry partners with academic institutions who help us establish a collaboration framework. We haved create memoranda of understanding (mous) that define clear objectives to provide internship programs and facilitate placement services. We encourage faculty and industry interaction, faculty-industry liaison, and have established an industry advisory boards to help us shape our curriculum and promote student awareness regarding job opportunities.

Check MRCE Faculty

Can you explain us about the infrastructural facilities available with respect to CSD Department at MRCE?

Our college administration has taken care to include the very best infrastructure for our students. We have modern classrooms, lecture halls, and computer labs with state-of-the-art media facilities. Our library and information resources are filled with all the latest journals, books and more. We have a large data storage and networking infrastructure, along with collaboration spaces and audio-visual facilities. We also have a dedicated server room where we have created a virtual learning environment with security and access control.

How do you support and encourage the students at CSD department towards innovation?

Supporting and encouraging students towards innovation in a Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department with a specialization in Data Science involves creating an environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. We have established innovation labs and centers, promote faculty mentoring and encourage students to take up interdisciplinary projects. There are also hackathons and competitions that our students can take part in. We also provide entrepreneurship support and ample research opportunities.

What is the future of Data Science in your prespective and what are its opportunities?

The field of data science is dynamic and continually evolving, so the landscape may have developed further since that time. The future of data science appears promising, with numerous opportunities across various sectors. As data becomes increasingly central to decision-making and innovation, professionals who can harness its power effectively will continue to be in high demand. However, it's essential to stay adaptable and up-to-date with the evolving landscape of tools and techniques within the field.

What is your vision as a HOD of CSD department for the coming years at MRCE?

As a visionary HoD of CSE-Data Science, my vision for the department in the upcoming years would encompass several key areas and goals: excellence in education, cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration, improved industry engagement, ethical data science, innovation and entrepreneurship, global perspective, diversity and inclusion, upgrade our infrastructure and resources, and support continuous learning among students and faculty members.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

Build a strong foundation in your subject basics. Learn programming languages that are in demand and will help you reach your career goals. Embrace lifelong learning, and dedicate time for practice hands-on. Do not hesitate to explore diverse domains, network and collaborate. Stay ethical, adopt problem-solving skills, learn data visualization and participate in competitions. Remember that the field of data science is not just about technical skills; it's also about creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to solve complex problems. By following these suggestions and staying committed to your goals, you can thrive in the dynamic and exciting world of CSE data science.