Dr. Kiran Kumar V.G. is the Head of the Department and an Associate Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at AJ Institute of Engineering and Technology, Mangalore. With a PhD in Cryptography and VLSI from VTU-Belagavi, he specializes in FPGA architectures for cryptographic algorithms. Dr. Kumar has over two decades of academic experience, including in roles as Entrepreneurship Development Coordinator. He has an impressive portfolio of publications, patents, and edited books, and has secured significant research grants. A life member of ISTE and an associate member of IETE, Dr. Kumar excels in teaching subjects such as Cryptography and VLSI Design, contributing significantly to the field of electronics engineering.

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How do you tend to establish healthy relations with the students and fellow faculty? 

One must understand that all students can succeed. Every student is unique and will succeed in their own unique way. I frequently encourage the students to assist them in completing their necessary tasks. I make it a point to greet the students well and also accept their mistakes in the classroom. 

What are the best practices offered by the department to the students which help them gain necessary skills? 

Our department is accredited by the National Board of Accreditation. We believe in learning with project concepts hence all the students from the first year itself are encouraged to do projects. To improve communication skills various activities and practice sessions are conducted by the department. The department has various collaborations with industries like Infosys Springboard for certifications, and NASSCOM/IT-ITeS Sector Council NASSCOM for webinars, workshops, and internships. We have partnered with Quantum Learnings Center Of Excellence for Microsoft training and certifications, Kakunje Software for internships, and workshops for virtual lab teams.

How do you help your student to cope up with the competition being so high in the outside world? 

I always advise my students to make an honest effort. It makes you feel happy, no matter what the outcome is. Accept your faults. Don't be so hard on yourself. Focus on yourself and avoid comparing yourself to others. Associate yourself with positive people but keep your grades private. It is crucial to maintain a life outside of school. Do not hesitate to speak with a counsellor or mentor when you need help.

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

We have the “Electrovertz Students Association (EVSA)” which conducts technical events like debates, seminars and workshops. Seniors interact with their juniors help them learn new topics and providing advice. We also have numerous extracurricular activities or competitions like singing, tech-masters competitions, solo dance competitions, and reel competitions. Apart from the EVSA, the IEEE Students Association, the Embedded and Robotics Club and the Radio Club organize their own events as well.

When you came to the college, what was your vision and how are you trying to achieve the same? 

When I first joined the institute, I wanted to work towards helping the institute be recognised as a center of excellence in the area of Electronics and Communication Engineering. I have done so by nurturing young, innovative minds into skilled and ethical professionals to cater to industrial and societal needs.

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Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

Set clear goals and embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Develop the mindset of continuously learning and adapting to new information. Network and collaborate with others in your profession, and maintain an effort ethic to ensure long-term success through hard work and perseverance.

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

Establishing a healthy environment in an institute involves promoting open communication, fostering inclusivity and diversity, and supporting professional development. Prioritising mental and physical well-being through wellness programs and providing access to resources is crucial. Creating a collaborative environment with team projects and shared goals, while recognising and rewarding contributions, helps build a positive atmosphere. Maintaining a safe and clean environment, encouraging community engagement, and implementing fair policies and practices are essential. Finally, gathering and acting on feedback ensures continuous improvement and responsiveness to the needs of students, faculty, and staff.

What do you think sets your institution apart from other colleges and universities and how do you communicate that unique value proportion to students and other Stakeholders?

We have collaborated with different institutes of the LMET group. The institute has collaborated with the AJ Institute of Medical Sciences and has taken up various medical related projects. Our collaboration with UNDP has helped the students get funds for various projects, and the LMET Trust itself has funded these projects, helping the institute faculty and students grow.

How do you approach decision-making in your role and how do you balance the needs of different stakeholders when making difficult decisions? 

The decision-making process in the department is not unanimous. There are senior faculties in the department and deans who are involved in the process. Several meetings with the concerned staff: heads, deans, and principals are held to finalise the critical decisions. There is a student mentoring process where the mentors are connected with parents as well to let them stay informed on the process.

What new initiatives and collaborations has the University established with Industry Leaders to promote industry-specific courses? 

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has established VTU-Skill Development Centers across its campuses to enhance faculty and students' skills. These centres provide exposure to advanced technologies, research, consultancy, and job-specific training. They equip participants with practical skills tailored to industry demands, bridge the gap between academia and industry, and foster industry partnerships. VTU effectively communicates the value of these centres through targeted marketing, engaging content, and success stories, attracting and retaining talented individuals and reinforcing its leadership in technological education and skill development.