Dr N. Mohansundararaju, the Principal of Mahendra College of Engineering, Salem has served 32 years as Engineering faculty. He has served 12 years as the Principal and Dean in various reputed institutions. In his extensive resume, Dr. Mohansundararaju has a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Madras University followed by a Master of Engineering in Degree in Production Engineering from Bharathiar University. He also has a PhD from the Coimbatore Institution of Technology.

In his career, Dr. Mohansundararaju has published more than 35 papers in National and International journals and conferences. He has even organized many conferences, workshops, seminars and faculty development programs and delivered special lectures in various programs sponsored by AICTE, UGC.

Dr. Mohansundararaju is a recognized Research Supervisor at Anna University for PhD and has guided 6 research scholars successfully. He has reviewed two peer-reviewed International Journals besides being a life member of ISTE and the Institution of Engineers, India. He has received a total grant of Rs.22 lakhs from AICTE and from various fund agencies under different schemes. Other responsibilities, he performs are in key positions in organizing international and national conferences, seminars and workshops.

Mahendra College of Engineering

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

There are many factors that keep me motivated to spend my time and experience in the education sector. Besides my love my educating students, I have a passion for learning. My goal is to use my skills and reach to assist students from rural backgrounds for their upliftment and make them more literate. I try to pay special attention to students who have an affinity towards Engineering. 

What are some plans that you are currently designing for your institute?

Currently, we are formulating several plans in action. We wish to focus on meeting the skill gap between industry demands and the students by encouraging them to participate in innovative idea competitions. We are also developing an ecosystem that will encourage students to develop entrepreneurship skills if they wish to start their own practices. Moreover, we also have plans to create a centre of excellence in the emerging field of technology where students will get the best in technological knowledge to practice and stay ahead of the competition.

How do you tend to establish a healthy environment in your institute?

Having a healthy supportive environment at our campus is essential for the student’s well-being. We have adopted several practices to encourage healthy competition through events such as conducting various competitions among students to nurture and showcase their potential in the chosen areas. We also have a policy to develop both our faculty members and the students, so that all the stakeholders in the college can benefit from their time at MCE.

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How does the institute enhance the skills of the faculty?

Solely for our team of faculty we regularly conduct pedagogy programs. We are continuously supportive of the faculty to participate in the NPTEL, the MOOC and many workshops so that they can stay updated in their fields and provide better services in this dynamic environment. We also encourage and provide support to them to do interdisciplinary research activities. Their research works can also benefit the students to comprehend how a research paper should be.

What do you see as the institute’s greatest strengths?

Our institute boasts several state-of-the-art laboratories and modern research facilities. They are intended to provide more knowledge to both the faculties and the students. We have dedicated staff members who work closely in the student development activities along with the curriculum activities. Our campus also has an active placement cell that organizes numerous training programs. Students are taught how to write their resumes, how to interview and go through skill development sessions.

What are the challenges you faced while uplifting the quality of education?

Our major challenges, recently, were during the Covid breakout. We can still its after-effects today but is more or less back to normal. As everything is settled, the key factor is helping with the adaptability of students towards the learning process from a purely online method to in-person classes and a hybrid system. Our faculty members also found it difficult to perform their duties as teaching online while having the student’s full attention was tough.

What can an inbound student gain from studying in your institute?

All in-bound students coming into our institute have the opportunity to learn with world-class facilities by a team of well-read and experienced faculty. They get to learn with updated technology and materials, get exposure and have chances to learn the latest in-demand skills. They are industry ready and can meet all requirements of employers at graduation. We also incorporate ethical values and human values keeping in mind the engineering field and pressing environmental issues.

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How does your college welcome students of different economic backgrounds?

The Mahendra College of Engineering encourages students to learn with their peers. Students get to mingle, cohabitate and work cohesively with people from different backgrounds. We are always on deck to motivate the students and to provide counselling to the to overcome their economic barriers through scholarships and financial aid. We have adopted a system of education for all students that does not look at the students’ backgrounds.