Dr. Poonam Upadhyay is a Professor and the Head of the Department of EEE at VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology. She has had a distinguished career in Electrical Engineering, marked by her significant contributions to education and research. With a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, she has been a dedicated educator, teaching a range of subjects, from Power Systems to Electromagnetic Field Theory. She also holds a B.Tech and an M.Tech in Integrated Power Systems from NIT Nagpur.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Upadhyay has played key roles in curriculum development, serving as the Chairman of the Board of Studies and participating in various academic committees. Her involvement in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, such as coordinating the IEI chapter and organizing events like Convergence and cultural activities, underscores her commitment to students' holistic development. She has guided many B.Tech students for their academic projects, and also for their professional development as a mentor. Over 17 M.Tech students have completed their projects under her supervision and she is also supervising PhD scholars.

In addition to her teaching and administrative responsibilities, Dr. Upadhyay is a prominent figure in the academic and research communities. She has organized numerous conferences, workshops, seminars, and guest lectures, demonstrating her leadership in promoting knowledge sharing and innovation. Dr. Poonam is a senior member of IEEE, a fellow member of IEI and a life member of ISTE. With an overall experience in academic services of around 27 years, she has also published 54 papers in national and international conferences and journals.

VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology

What motivated you to pursue a career in academia and take on the role of the Head of the EEE Department at VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology?

I have a legacy in academics from my family. My childhood was spent among popular academicians who were role models for many students. Their service to society as a contribution to bringing change to many families motivated me to also be like them. When I joined VNRVJIET, I saw the same here right from management, principal, HODs, and faculty to any other staff level. My learning with all of them has made me accept the role of head of the department.

What is your vision for the EEE Department at VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, and how do you plan to achieve it?

Excelling in teaching, learning and research is the motto of the EEE department. The department focuses on an advanced curriculum on par with any premium institutes in the country. The department of EEE is happy to share that B.Tech. EEE program has been accredited by “The National Board of Accreditation” for six years and M.Tech. The Power Electronics program has also been accredited by the NBA for three years. All these achievements are regular and continuous processes of the department.

How do you ensure that the department's curriculum remains current and aligned with the latest advancements in the field of EEE?

Our curriculum is updated every two years as per industry requirements. The curriculum is revised as per the suggestions of Board of Studies members. The Board of Studies of the EEE department has members from premium institutes like IIT Hyderabad, NIT Warangal, and JNTU Hyderabad and industry personnel from research organisations. It is their responsibility to ensure the quality and standards of the curriculum.

What measures and programs are in place to support the holistic development of students within the EEE Department, including academic, personal, and career growth?

Our curriculum is rich and has courses like Human Values and Ethics, Happiness and Wellness, Environmental Science and Gender Sensitization, which help students become good humans. For career growth, there are courses with various open elective options and minor degrees in emerging areas like AIML, Data Science, IOT, Cyber Security, Entrepreneurship, etc. that help students in career growth. There is a Design Thinking course for them, which makes them have empathy while working on any projects.

How do you attract and retain experienced and qualified faculty members within the department, and what strategies are in place to ensure their professional development?

The department of EEE has a team of well-experienced and qualified faculty with different backgrounds. Over 60% of our faculty hold PhDs from IITs, NITS and reputed government universities. The faculty keeps themselves updated on emerging technologies by attending workshops, faculty development programs, NPTEL and Coursera courses. It is a mandatory requirement for every faculty to also attend such programs which help students in teaching, research and achieving goals like placements and higher studies.

Check VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology Courses & Fees

What efforts has the department made to foster collaboration with the automotive industry, and how do these collaborations benefit students and the department as a whole?

The department of EEE has collaborations with industries and various specialised domain areas of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. The automotive industry is also one of them. Internship support is provided to the students. One of the electrical vehicles which is widely used on campus is an outcome of that.

Could you highlight recent improvements in departmental infrastructure and laboratories that have enhanced the learning experience for students?

Upgradations of laboratories are done as per the curriculum revisions. Higher-end computing facilities are always upgraded as per the latest configurations. Undergraduate and postgraduate students also have exclusive labs. All of our classrooms are equipped with audio-visual facilities. The department of EEE has an exclusive library with all the latest books and journals. All modern resources are available in the department to provide an enhanced learning experience for students.

In your opinion, what are the primary challenges facing the field of EEE today, and how is the department addressing these challenges?

The first challenge that EEE faces is the myth of "toughness,” which circulates among the people. I want to tell students that it is the first engineering branch among the circuit group, like computer branches and electronics branches. There are ample opportunities in the government, public and private sectors. The department always tries to educate students about how to proceed that and utilise the best opportunity.

What advice would you offer to students and aspiring professionals interested in pursuing a career in EEE?

There are ample opportunities in the core industry for EEE graduates. As Electric Vehicle and Renewable Energy are the future, students need to prepare themselves. I believe that the core industry needs them. The EEE branch also enables them to pursue careers in the IT/software industries because automation has become the need of the hour in the core industry. EEE subject knowledge and software skills provide them with better opportunities as compared to any other engineering branch. Also in this branch, students can find opportunities in government and public sectors as Electrical Engineers.