Dr. M. Bhanu Sridhar has been working as the Head of IT Department at Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering for Women, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. He has done B. E in Civil Environmental Engineering in 1996 and M.Tech in Computer Science and Technology in 1998 from Andhra University College of Engineering of Visakhapatnam along with PhD in 2014 in Software Engineering from JNT University Kakinada. He has in-depth knowledge of various operating systems including Linux, Windows, Android and iOS, programming languages like C, C++, .NET, Java, Python, R followed by Databases like Oracle, MySQL, DB2, MS-Access, MS SQL Server, Testing Tools such as Winrunner, Test Director, Load Runner, Silk Test, QTP, J-Meter and HTML, JavaScript, XML, Developer 2000, Pascal, FORTRAN 77 and Data Mining Tools etc. He has been associated with GVP College since June 2014 and has primarily taught B.Tech and M.Tech courses to students.

Also, he started his professional journey with Raghu Engineering College in 2007, where he first worked as an Assistant Professor and then later on as Associate Professor. So overall, he holds a wonderful 16 years of work experience in the educational world. During his career, he has taught subjects like Data Science, R Programming, Artificial Neural Networks, Software Testing, Software Architecture and Design Patterns, Data Warehousing and Data Mining, C Programming, Principles of Programming Languages, Web Technologies, Computer Networks, Theory of Computation, Object Oriented Programming, Java Programming, Software Engineering and Database Management Systems. In addition to this, till date he has handled more than 50 projects of B.Tech and 2 projects of M.Tech. Beyond academics, he has worked as a Freelancer with Manual and Automated and as an Engineer with Vizag based Will Dell Informatics, Ram Info and SK Computers from 1996-2006.

He has also developed softwares for Students Administration System, Course Handling, Online Shopping and Banking Services. Dr. M. Bhanu has attended numerous conferences and workshops and has pursued courses from NPTEL and Coursera. He has presented 11 Research Papers in various conferences, published 16 papers in reputed international and national journals and authored chapters for a book. There are a total 102 citations on his name and his research areas are Data Science (Healthcare Data), Machine Learning, Data Mining, Deep Learning, Cloud Computing and Software Engineering. He has also worked as a Reviewer for multiple journals such as British Journal of Mathematics and Computer Science, Basic and Applied Research International, Asian Journal of Mathematics and Computer Research, Asian Journal of Research in Computer Science and Journal of Advances in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Dr. M. Bhanu Sridhar is a proud member of International Accreditation Council of Quality Education and Research (IACQER), Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), International Association of Computer Science & Information Technology (IACSIT), International Association of Engineers, Institution of Research Engineers and Doctors (IRED), Computer Society of India (CSI), Institute of Engineering Research and Publication (IFERP) and ACM.

Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of engineering for women

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

It's not hidden from anyone that education has a profound impact on individuals and societies and the factor which has kept me intacted with this dynamic and challenging field is primarily the feeling of fulfillment which we get as an educator by contributing to the growth and development of students and preparing them to become informed and responsible citizens. Along with this, with changing dynamics and emerging technologies, I receive a plethora of opportunities to upgrade my knowledge and skills and learn about the latest educational methods. And seeing students succeed and achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding. Also, I see a purpose here in the education sector, because directly we are contributing to the nation's growth by preparing a literate workforce.

Last but not the least, the education sector has a wide scope of creativity and innovation and we often find joy in developing new and engaging ways to deliver knowledge, which in turn keeps our passion for teaching alive. Working with people of different mindset and experiences also allows us to build meaningful relationships with students, their parents and fellow colleagues. 

Being the Head of IT Department at GVP College, what is your philosophy of leadership and what do you think should be qualities of a true leader?

In my opinion, as far as the education sector is concerned, leaders should focus on students' well-being, growth, and success by creating an environment where students can thrive academically, emotionally and socially. Apart from this, they should emphasize on continuous skills upgradation both for students and staff members as professional development of teachers and staff can lead to an enhanced educational experience for students. A strong leader also promotes inclusivity and diversity by ensuring everyone has equal opportunities and all involved feel welcomed and respected. Transparent communication and open dialogue is also essential to create a sense of community and trust. And lastly, leaders by their work, enthusiasm and positive work attitude should inspire others around them be it students or teachers.

Coming to my own way of leading people, so I generally follow the transformational, democratic and servant kind of leadership. And I always inspire my team by creating a compelling vision, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging others to be a part of research and innovation. Along with this, I regularly involve all my staff, students and other stakeholders in the decision-making process to build a sense of ownership and increase engagement among the members of the institution. Last but not the least, servant leadership allows me to prioritize the well-being of my team by addressing and fulfilling their needs in time.

How can students benefit from studying here in your GVP College?

Our college provides not only employment oriented and cost effective education but also the immense opportunities to students to immerse themselves in a vibrant tapestry of traditions, languages, festivals, and cuisines in order to broaden their worldview and enhance their intercultural understanding. Along with this, we have rigorous academic programs, a diverse learning environment and interactive classrooms for students coming from different backgrounds and an amazing team of highly qualified and experienced faculty members to teach them. In other words, I would say that students can pursue their dream courses with us without accumulating substantial debt and they will get all kinds of required support and guidance to improve their communication and technical work skills.

Other than this, since we are based in India, which is becoming a global economic hub, students can gain insights of international business, technology, and innovation along with worldwide markets and trends. Also, foreign students get the chance to establish connections with Indian students and professionals through formal interaction and events which ultimately open doors for them for a plethora of work options. Lastly, students are regularly engaged in research projects, get to collaborate with Indian scholars, and can develop adaptability, resilience, and a broader perspective on global issues, which are valuable life skills. This is how both domestic and foreign students would benefit from studying here in our college.

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How does the curriculum of your college ensure the best practices of industry?

The curriculum of our college is prepared after rigorous analysis and consultation with our advisory board, industry professionals, experts, prominent academicians and organizations so that industrial trends, challenges and best practices can be made part of it. And the dynamic and robust curriculum which is prepared after all the discussion encompasses numerous things including events and activities such as Guest Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops, which we organize on a regular basis in collaboration with corporate experts to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

In addition to this, we offer an extensive range of skill development programs and co-op programs to students to inculcate technical and non-technical competencies in them followed by projects and apprenticeships so that they can gain real-world experience, apply their theoretical knowledge to real-time scenarios, develop practical skills, and establish valuable industry connections.

Last but not the least, we have industry-oriented certification courses and our college regularly encourages students to participate in research and development activities and learn new technologies. And we also have a fully supporting environment in terms of resources, mentorship and Incubation Centers for budding entrepreneurs. So this is how we have made our curriculum in response to industrial practices.

What do you think should be the Institute's top priority over the next 5 years?

I firmly believe that in the coming years, we should dedicatedly work on upgrading the curriculum of our college's courses so that content stays relevant and up-to-date as per corporate requirements. Along with this, we should prioritize strengthening and promoting our partnerships with renowned companies, organizations, and their professionals to gain insights of current industrial needs and trends. 

Investing in research projects that address industry challenges and provide solutions, upgrading skills of faculty and staff members through training and workshops, providing internship, co-op programs and project opportunities to students to gain real-time practical exposure should be our focus areas too. Last but not the least, the goal of our college should be to leverage the expertise and networks of alumni in the best way possible so that the required guidance and support can be provided to current students.

What do you see as your Institute's greatest strengths?

The main pillars of our college strengths are our highly educated and experienced faculty members as they are the one who provides finest quality education, mentorship and guidance to students as and when needed by utilizing their expertise and vast backgrounds. 

Along with this, our long-standing history and reputation followed by our past achievements, success stories of our Alumni, efficient and modern Learning Management System we have developed for our students along with additional online learning resources, multimedia content, and interactive tools we provide to them are prime factors of our institution strength. Last but not the least, our dedicated Placement Cell and stellar placement record makes us strong as our students are working with top-notch companies at present and enhancing the college's reputation day by day.

Any valuable advice which you would like to give to the current youth and aspiring students? 

I would like to suggest to my dear students and ambitious youths of our society to embrace learning and believe in their potential. Also be perseverant and take every challenge as an opportunity to learn something new. Emphasize Empathy and understanding, follow your passion, build meaningful professional and personal relationships, try to contribute to society in any way possible and take care of yourself. Last but not the least, stay curious, dream big and be technologically proficient as it's very important to succeed in this cut throat competitive world.