Dr. Ganesh Shankar is the Principal of Dumka Engineering College. He holds a B.Tech. degree along with an M.Tech. from NIT Durgapur. Thereafter, he earned a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from ISM Dhanbad. With ten years of experience, Dr. Shankar has five years of experience in research. He has been associated with Dumka Engineering College for three years, out of which he has served as Principal for two years.

Dumka Engineering College

Being the Principal of Dumka Engineering College, what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

As the Principal of Dumka Engineering College, my philosophy of leadership revolves around fostering an environment of academic excellence, innovation, and holistic development. I believe in nurturing a culture that promotes open communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement. My leadership style is participative and inclusive, where I encourage input and ideas from faculty, staff, and students to make informed decisions that benefit the entire college community.

I prioritise providing a clear vision for the college's future and setting strategic goals that align with that vision. This helps us work collectively towards a common objective. I empower faculty and staff by giving them the autonomy to excel in their roles. I encourage them to take ownership of their responsibilities and contribute to the growth of the institution. I lead by example in promoting lifelong learning. I encourage professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to stay updated with the latest trends in education and technology. 

Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to real world challenges?

At Dumka Engineering College, we recognise the importance of providing students with a well-rounded education that goes beyond the classroom. We offer a variety of extracurricular activities and programmes to enhance their skills, expose them to real-world challenges, and help them develop into well-prepared professionals. We have a range of student clubs and organisations dedicated to various interests such as robotics, coding, entrepreneurship, environmental awareness, and more. These clubs provide a platform for students to collaborate, learn, and apply their skills to practical projects.

We organise hackathons, coding competitions, and engineering challenges that encourage students to solve real-world problems within a limited timeframe. These events foster creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. We invite industry experts to conduct workshops, seminars, and guest lectures on the latest trends, technologies, and practises. We facilitate internships and industrial training opportunities with local companies and organisations. This hands-on experience allows students to apply what they've learned in a practical setting and gain insights into the professional world.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see, both for higher education in general and for Dumka Engineering College and in Dumka specifically?

In higher education, challenges include adapting to rapidly evolving technologies, shifting pedagogies, funding limitations, global competition, and ensuring graduates' employability. For Dumka Engineering College and Dumka, challenges involve industry readiness, infrastructure development, faculty recruitment, raising awareness and aspirations, fostering research and innovation, addressing socio-economic factors, leveraging local resources, managing cultural diversity, and navigating government policies. To overcome these, we focus on strategic planning, industry collaboration, faculty development, inclusivity, and tailoring our approach to regional needs.

Check Dumka Engineering College Placement

How do you tend to build an industry connected with the programs that you offer in your college?

We establish industry connections through various avenues, including guest lectures, workshops, internships, and collaborative projects. We invite professionals to share insights, trends, and real-world experiences with our students. Industry-specific workshops help students gain practical skills. Our internship programs foster direct industry exposure, and collaborative projects allow students to solve industry challenges. Moreover, we maintain a strong alumni network, bridging the gap between academia and industry, ensuring our programs remain relevant and responsive to industry needs.

How do you try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects and make it industry oriented?

We integrate practicality and industry relevance by incorporating case studies, hands-on projects, and industry collaboration. Our curriculum includes real-world scenarios to illustrate theoretical concepts. We organise regular industry visits, where students witness operations firsthand. Faculty with industry experience enrich teaching with practical insights. Collaboration with local industries results in live projects and internships. Additionally, workshops led by industry experts provide insights into current practices and technologies. This approach ensures students are equipped with skills and knowledge that align with industry expectations.

What would you like people to know about the Dumka Engineering College, that they may not know?

I'd like people to know that Dumka Engineering College is not just a place of learning but a close-knit community dedicated to holistic development. We're committed to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and producing well-rounded professionals. Our faculty members are not only educators but mentors, guiding students beyond the classroom. The college's emphasis on research, industry connections, and community engagement sets us apart, ensuring that students graduate not only with academic excellence but also with a strong sense of social responsibility and the practical skills needed to excel in their careers.