Dr. Srinivasa Rao Dammavalam is an accomplished Educator and Associate Professor, currently heading the Department of Information Technology at VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology. With a rich academic background, including a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering, he brings over 17 years of teaching expertise to his role. Driven by a passion for continuous learning and technological innovation, he completed advanced certifications in AI and ML. His global exposure includes a research fellowship in Italy, and he has served as a keynote speaker at the DATA 2021 Conference in Jordan. Beyond teaching, Dr. Dammavalam is an active researcher with interests spanning image analysis, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. His leadership extends to successful completion of sponsored projects, membership on academic boards, and participation in conferences as a reviewer and session chair. Committed to the holistic development of students, he conducts workshops and seminars while guiding numerous undergraduate and postgraduate projects. In essence, Dr. Dammavalam is a driving force in information technology education, exemplifying dedication to excellence, research, and the continual advancement of technological education.

VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology

Can you provide an overview of the IT department's mission and its role within VNRVJIET College? 

The department of Information Technology was established in the year 1997 with an annual intake of 60, increased to 180 in the year 2017. M.Tech (CNIS) program was started in 2013 with an intake of 18. It has all infrastructural facilities required for imparting high quality education and the department is fully structured to meet the contemporary needs of the industry. Imparting high quality education is supported by well qualified and experienced faculty and further support is extended by technically skilled and competent programmers are functioning to strengthen academics, department research outcomes, patents, professional activities, student’s startups, industry collaborations, and placements. The Department of IT VISION is to impart quality technical education that fosters critical thinking, dynamism and innovation to transform students into globally competitive IT professionals and the MISSION is to provide quality education through an innovative teaching and learning process that yields advancements in state-of-the-art information technology. 

How has the role of IT in education evolved in recent years, and what are the key initiatives your department has undertaken to adapt to these changes? 

Technology in education has many aids, comprising improved access to educational prospects, improved student assignment, sustenance for adapted learning, and enabled communication and association. Facilitating faculty, staff to make use of ICT tools to enrich teaching learning process and improving academic performance towards startups, innovations, higher studies and placements too.

VNRVJIET College is known for its commitment to technological advancement. Can you highlight some of the cutting-edge technologies or projects the IT department has been involved in to enhance the learning environment? 

The Philosophy of Vignana Jyothi unravels education as a process of "Presencing" that provides, both individually and collectively, to one's deepest capacity to sense and experience the knowledge and activities to shape the future. Based on a synthesis of direct experience, leading edge thinking and ancient wisdom, it taps into 'deeper levels of learning for discovering new possibilities'. Today, with this philosophy, Vignana Jyothi has created an edifice that is strong in its foundations, which can only rise higher and higher. Quality and integrity is the essence for achieving excellence at Vignana Jyothi Institutions. This and quest for excellence reflects in the vision and mission. Their passion reflects in the enterprise of education.

What strategies has your department implemented to ensure that students and faculty are well-equipped with the latest technology tools and skills?

Faculty are encouraged to attend Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) and workshops to explore the pedagogical methods and latest technologies helpful in TLP and improving the enactment of students.

Cybersecurity is a critical concern for educational institutions. How does the IT department at VNRVJIET College address this issue to safeguard student and faculty data and maintain a secure learning environment?

Faculty and students are enlightened for defending data and the systems that store and practice it against attacks that could result in unofficial access to and exposure of that data. Installing anti-virus software. Setting password, gesture or fingerprint that must be entered to unlock. Setting the device to necessitate a password before applications are mounted.

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Could you share some success stories or impactful projects your department has spearheaded, which have had a positive impact on students' academic experiences or the overall operations of the college? 

Strong Academics and training in emerging technologies, Internship projects are a significant portion of the learning practice for college students. They learn how to put what they've gained in the classroom to real-world complications through these projects. Additionally, these projects. We have introduced significant TLP, WIT, and WIL, learning by doing, POGIL and project based learning approaches; course based project, industry oriented project, mini and major projects significantly improved students' learning consequences and totally contributed to academic accomplishment, affecting attitudes, and thinking skills, particularly academic attainment.

In what ways does the IT department collaborate with other departments or stakeholders to support the college's goals and objectives? 

The IT department collaborates with other departments to conduct TLP related Technical fests, FDPs, workshops, to prepare multi-disciplinary project proposals, patents etc. Professional chapter events will be conducted collaboratively with other departments and stakeholders to meet goals and objectives of the institute.

How do you see emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality influencing the future of education at VNR VJIET College, and what are your department's plans to harness these technologies?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the prospective to convert education in many means, comprising personalizing learning involvements, systematizing administrative responsibilities, enlightening availability, and given that real-time response to both students and teachers community. AR and VR tools can lead to better learning impact in terms of targeted outcomes. Immersive learning solutions reduce cognitive load, boost learner engagement, and strengthen memory. They can also allow for instant feedback during the learning process.

Can you discuss any challenges that the IT department has encountered and how you have overcome them to ensure the continued improvement of IT services at the college? 

IT challenges come in many practices, and administrators may be unrehearsed to knob them without performing their due attentiveness. It poses a major trial because of the time, money and resources requisite to improve network security. IT efficiency relies on smooth integration, interoperability and coordination across all teaching and learning applications. The more data an organization has, the tougher its data authority strategies must be. This challenge is also one of the biggest: working toward enterprise-wide acceptance of change in higher education.

As the Head of the IT Department, what is your vision for the future, and how do you plan to lead your team to achieve these goals in the coming years? 

Providing the environment where the faculty can adapt to learn new technologies, courses in line with changes in the IT Domain. Having Collaborations with premier institutions and industries to improve TLP, R&D activities, startups, internships and placements. The most important aspect of IT Departments is imparting problem solving, an essential skill for life to our students. Students are learning the design, development and analysis of software and hardware used to resolve problems in a variety of professional, scientific and social circumstances.