Dr. R. Venkatesh is the Assistant Professor and Head of the CSE (AI & ML) at Malla Reddy College Of Engineering. He has seven years of teaching experience. His highest academic qualification is M.Tech (Ph.D.). His fields of specialization include Network Security and Machine Learning. He has published six papers in International Journals, four papers in International conferences, and four papers in National Conferences.

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 would like to highlight?

The institute thinks having a motivated workforce may significantly contribute to its success. The institute as a whole operates more effectively and accomplishes its aims and goals with greater effectiveness when staff and students are encouraged to work at higher levels of their skills and abilities. The institute has established the following incentives for its employees and students. Best Student, Best Teacher, Best Department, Best HOD, 100% University Result and also promoting greater communication between students and faculty. 

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

We encourage professors to keep up with the latest developments in Computer Science by enrolling in online courses, conferences, and workshops. This enables them to return to the classroom with the most recent information. We also create innovation challenges, coding contests, and hackathons to inspire students to experiment with new technologies and put what they’ve learned to use. We also invite thought leaders and professionals from the business to speak to students as guest lecturers so they can benefit from their expertise. To augment their learning and keep current on the newest trends, encourage students to investigate online resources like Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and online tutorials. To discuss how technology intersects with other disciplines like ethics, healthcare, and environmental sustainability, think of interdisciplinary courses or departmental partnerships.

What are the current challenges in the field of Artificial Engineering and Machine Learning domain in general, and how do you plan to address them as a HOD?

At present, accurate ML models must be trained on high-quality, labeled data, but gathering such data can be costly and time-consuming. Making the most of sparse data can be accomplished using strategies like data augmentation, active learning, and transfer learning. Deep neural networks and other complex ML models are sometimes viewed as & black boxes, making it challenging to comprehend how they make decisions. More interpretable models are being developed, methods for explaining model choices are being developed, and guidelines for model interpretability in crucial applications are established.

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

We connect with influential people in the businesses and organizations you want to work with. Meet possible partners by attending networking functions, conferences, and industry-specific meetings. Work closely with partners in the sector to comprehend their requirements and the qualifications they look for in interns or graduates. These agreements set forth the conditions, obligations, and demands of each party. Provide placement assistance for internships to assist students in locating suitable positions. We make sure that students get assistance and mentoring while participating in internships. Career counselors, business mentors, and academic advisors can all provide direction and criticism.

Can you explain the infrastructural facilities available concerning the AI & ML Department at MRCE?

It contains powerful computers for developing machine learning models. Smart boards or interactive whiteboards for group debates and instruction. Access to a library that is well-stocked with publications in AI and ML. We also have audio-visual equipment to facilitate presentations, workshops, and lectures. 

How do you support and encourage the students at the AI & ML department towards innovation?

Encourage faculty and students to work together and to communicate openly. Set up seminars, hackathons, and innovation challenges to provide participants with practical experience in resolving real-world issues. Encourage students to discover problems in the real world that AI and ML technology can help solve. Invite professionals from the field to talk about innovation, entrepreneurship, and AI/ ML applications.

What is your vision as a HOD of CSE (AI & ML) for the coming years at MRCE?

My objective is to position the CSE Department as a global leader in cutting-edge AI and ML education, research, and innovation as the HOD of the CSE Department with a focus on AI & ML. By providing chances for research, entrepreneurship, and leadership, we can encourage our students to become lifelong learners and innovators. Encourage students to participate in and perform well in national and international AI/ ML competitions, hackathons, and conferences.