Dr. S. Nagini, a seasoned academician, is the Head of the Computer Science and Engineering Department at VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology. She brings over 24 years of teaching and five years of research expertise. With a PhD in Data Mining, she actively engages in curriculum development and employs innovative teaching methods.

Dr. Nagini's diverse teaching interests include Programming Languages, Data Structures, and Digital Logic Design. Beyond academia, she passionately contributes to co-curricular activities, serving as Faculty Coordinator for Convergence 2K18 and Coordinator of Turing Hut. A prolific researcher, she has published in esteemed journals, focusing on Data Mining applications. Dr. Nagini's commitment extends to mentoring students, guiding numerous projects, and participating in workshops on blockchain, big data analytics, and machine learning. Recognised for her excellence, she has received awards, filed patents, and actively contributed to conferences, epitomizing her motto of "Learning, Sharing Experience, Working, and Growing Together."

VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology

Can you tell us about the main role of the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department at VNRJIT College?

The Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department at VNRVJIET College likely plays a crucial role in the institute. We offer academic programmes such as B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Computer Science Business Systems (CSBS), and M.Tech. In CSE and SE (Software Engineering). We conduct research in various technology fields and aid in developing faculty expertise with current technologies as per industry trends. We also facilitate industry collaboration for student internships and exposure. The department tries to maintain modern labs and infrastructure for hands-on learning and also organise events, workshops, and activities for student development. We take care to assist students with placements and career guidance and engage in community outreach to promote computer science education.

How does the CSE department stay updated with the latest advancements in the field of computer science?

The CSE department stays updated through our faculty development programs. We have regular workshops and training for faculty who also engage in research and publications. We focus on industry collaborations and partnerships with companies that offer us various insights. We hold professional memberships and encourage our faculty to join organisations like CSI, ISTE or IEEE. Occasionally, we hold seminars and workshops featuring experts in the field. Our faculty can get certified in new technologies to enhance skills through online courses. They also engage in collaborative research and projects with other institutions, research institutes and industry. The institute has professional development funds because of our management support for attending conferences and training. The college also has in-house training and internal sessions for knowledge exchange.

What are some popular programs or courses offered by the CSE department for students?

Some of our popular programmes are B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering, B.Tech in Computer Science and Business Systems, M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering, M.Tech in Software Engineering. We also offer certification courses like ServiceNow, Mulesoft, Advanced Problem Solving Skills, Full Stack, and Mern Stack. Our professional elective courses include topics like Quantum Computing, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, and Cyber security. Our open elective courses include Fundamentals of Robotics, Kinematics and Dynamics of Robots, Drives and Control System for Robotics, Robot Programming and Intelligent Control Systems, Principles of Automobile Engineering, Modern Automotive Technologies, etc.

Could you share a few examples of interesting student projects or initiatives in the CSE department?

We have a peer-to-peer teaching club that enhances advanced problem-solving skills in the students. Our research club has our students publish papers and patents in a chosen area of topic. We have established industry-oriented labs whose outcomes are paid internships and placements for students. We have created common interest groups (CIGs) and special interest groups (SIGs) among faculty based on their domain expertise outcomes, which include project proposals, patents, and publications. We also organize international conferences, VJ hackathons, and designathons every year as well.

Do you collaborate with other departments or institutions to provide diverse learning experiences for students?

Our CSE department commonly collaborates with other departments and institutions for interdisciplinary projects, joint workshops and seminars and industry partnerships. We also work on research collaborations, hackathons and competitions. Our students get to attend guest lectures, take part in community outreach programs and participate in joint research centers activities as well.

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How does the CSE department address cybersecurity concerns and teach students about online security?

The college offers specialised courses or professional electives in cybersecurity for students who want to delve deeper into the subject. We provide training on ethical hacking and penetration testing to teach students about identifying vulnerabilities and securing systems. By collaborating with industry, we have established partnerships with cybersecurity firms or professionals for internships, workshops, and collaborative projects, allowing students to gain real-world experience. We also organise workshops and seminars where we conduct campaigns to raise awareness about cybersecurity issues, including safe online practises, social engineering awareness, and the importance of regularly updating software. related to Cyber Awareness.

Can you share some success stories of CSE department graduates and their achievements?

Some of our recent achievements are our students winning second prize in the “Smart India Hackathon-2018” Eventon held on 30-3-2018 and 31-3-2018, the TCS Best Student Project award for 2016-17 A.Y for the project “Data Mining Approach for Brain Tumor Detection.” We have also won a silver medal in “TRIGGER” in the Innovation Fair organized at IISc Bengaluru in 2018. Our “Pet Munch” was awarded as “Best Product of OMG2k17” in Telangana and we were awarded a bronze medal to Baswaraj, a final year student of CSE for “Cough and Wheeze Analyzer for Respiratory Digital Health Services”, in the China Innovation Fair. Our students have attended the “Project Competition”, organized TechE – Theme Winner (Blockchain) in Techno Utsav by Delloitte for which we won first prize. Mr. Tarun Jayaram received the Campus Stars Award -2018 from the Times of India, Economic Times Campus Stars. Rupesh Mittal (2015-2019 batch), a CSE student, got “The Campus Connect – REX Karmaveer Global Young Leaders fellowship and Karmaveer Chakra Award” for the year 2019. We also have a few entrepreneurs, Spandana Urlam who is the CEO of What the Art, and Rupesh Mittal, the CEO of Mittal Technologies and Srikar D, who owns the Corporate Strategy and Investment Management, Meil Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), Hyderabad.

How does the department assist students in finding internships and industry connections?

Our placement cell has a dedicated team connecting students with companies. We promote industry collaborations and partnerships with businesses for internship opportunities. We also organise internship fairs and events that facilitate direct interactions with companies. Our students also receive career counselling and guidance to align them with suitable opportunities. There are regular networking events, like seminars and workshops for industry interaction. Our alumni network helps us with internships. Skill development is important and we have programmes aimed at enhancing technical and soft skills. Our resume workshops help with training on resume building and interview skills. We also have company visits and organised tours for students to experience workplaces, along with internship preparatory courses that train our students for industry-specific requirements.

Is the CSE department actively working to promote diversity and inclusion in the field?

The CSE department actively promotes diversity and inclusion by implementing numerous policies. We have an inclusive curriculum, mentorship programs, scholarships, diverse faculty recruitment, awareness campaigns, and partnerships with external organisations. They aim to create an inclusive environment that supports students from underrepresented backgrounds.

What is your vision for the future of the CSE department at VNRVJIET College?

The vision of our department is to achieve academic and research excellence. These are essential technologies in Computer Science and Engineering that promote a creative environment for learning and innovation.