MEPCO SCHLENK ENGINEERING COLLEGE, Principal: Dr S Arivazhagan Interview

Dr S Arivazhagan is presently serving as the Principal of MEPCO SCHLENK ENGINEERING COLLEGE, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. Having 35+ years of experience in the academic domain, he is a professional member of many prestigious associations like CSI, IETE and ISTE. He has undertaken 16 Research and Development Projects with a total grant of more than Rs. 2.1 Crores from various premier Research & Development organizations. Out of 16 R & D projects, 10 have been successfully completed and handed over. Also, he has several research publications and papers to his credit. His research articles have received 3214 Citations so far and the maximum citation is 715 for a single paper. His h-index is 18 and i-10 index is 31 as per Google Scholar. He has authored 5 books on various topics in Electronics and Communication Engineering. 

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

“Service to younger students and society”

The education sector is the one where you can engage yourself with continuous knowledge sharing to a larger student community and abreast yourself with recent trends and technological advancements through continuous knowledge updation. One can contribute to the society directly or indirectly through sustained academic and sponsored research to various R&D organizations.

How would you describe your leadership style?

“Leading by examples”

I consider myself a participative leader and I believe in hand-on leadership. Whether it is teaching or research activity or any administrative work, I try to show the way through leading by example, so that it ensures the entire team to perform well in order to achieve the objectives. 

How do you strategize the key plans for the administration of your college?

“Regular meets and feedback from stakeholders”

We get regular feedback from all the stakeholders such as employers, alumni, parents, teachers and students on our students’ performance in their companies as well as on the curriculum and teaching learning process. We have regular HODs meetings where these feedbacks are discussed and the courses of actions to be taken are decided in line with the regulatory framework so that it will be easier for strategizing.

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What can an inbound student gain from studying here in your college?

“Diverse multidisciplinary courses and accredited quality education”

Our institution is NBA accredited under Tier-1 category and it is well known that the National Board of Accreditation is one of the signatory in Washington Accord for imparting quality outcome based technical education. This ensures our alignment with international expectations. We also regularly get inputs from renowned foreign professors, and the curriculum and syllabi are periodically revised and updated with the changing demands. Apart from the regular curriculum, additional specialization electives in 22 emerging areas of Engineering such as Smart Cities, 3D Printing, Smart Grid Technologies, Internet of Things, AI & Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Robotics, Block Chain, Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality, Genome Engineering & Technology, Bio-similar Technology and Medical Robotics & Technology etc.., are being offered and students can choose any of the specializations.

How does the curriculum of MSEC ensure the best practice of industry?

“Robust industry – institute link and relevant curriculum”

Our curriculum is very much industry oriented since we endeavor to create industry ready students. We have a strong Industry-Institute Partnership Cell and industrialists are involved in all the stages of curriculum design. Industry experts are nominated as members of BoS of all departments and Academic Council. Industry experts are invited as resource persons for special one credit courses and as guest lecturers in seminars and conferences organized by the different departments. The institution undertakes consultancy services to the nearby industries and thereby we have a close link with the industries. MOUs with industries help in exploring different avenues for updating the curriculum. The students and the faculty have discussions regarding the emerging trends with the industrialists when they go for industrial visits, internships and on-job training for their projects. The views and suggestions of Industry experts are incorporated in the curriculum of all disciplines to make it locally and globally relevant, and to promote employability.

What do you think your roles and responsibilities to the institute are?

“Establishing a standard academic and learning atmosphere”

As the principal, I firmly believe that our Institute shall be the best in imparting quality education to the students, nationally and internationally. Ensuring the quality of faculty and students, and sustained growth in quality of infrastructure by augmenting research facilities across all disciplines for proactive research activities are my primary roles and responsibilities. I need to create a conducive environment for learning by way of providing excellent infrastructure, e-learning facilities etc. 

What do you think should be the college’s top priority over the next 10 years?

“Developing more collaborations and start-up facilities”

Creating Centres of Excellences in collaboration with leading corporations like Intel incorporations, IBM systems and Research Institutes is our topmost priority for the next 10 years. Also, introducing more programmes on emerging areas useful for the society, creating a green and sustainable environment by planting more trees, and applying for more inter-departmental projects both in India and abroad are also in the pipeline. Getting International Accreditation from ABET, accelerating the activities of Entrepreneurship and Development Cell, MEPCO Incubation Centre and Institute Innovation Council are some other priorities. 

What would you like people to know about your college they may not know?

“Research potential and dedicated faculty”

The number of research projects obtained by our faculty from leading Research and Development organizations are increasing. Top ranks are achieved by the institute in all key media rankings and national level surveys. Our faculty has undertaken 136 R&D projects worth 15.64 crores so far from various leading research organizations and Government funding agencies. Also, our faculty members regularly publish research articles in top class research journals. As per Google Scholar, the h-index of the college is 64, i10 index is 516 and total citations are 23,203. One of our faculty has a highest h-index of 28 and his paper is cited 2,741 times. We have patents, copyrights and all these are aiding in imparting quality knowledge to our students.

What do you see as Mepco Schlenk Engineering College’s greatest strengths?

“Quality and Standards in every walk of campus life”

In our institute, we are not just producing engineering graduates, we are producing responsible citizens of our nation with great values imbibed. Structured rules and regulations are framed to transform the students into good human beings with social responsibility. The college has an excellent infrastructure with modern equipment and Centres of Excellence. Well decentralized Academic and Administrative set-up, strong Teaching-Learning Process, and visionary and supportive management with industrial background are our greatest strengths. We possess efficient, enthusiastic, highly committed, competent and qualified faculty and supporting staff with good organizational skills. Accessibility to well-equipped laboratories with latest machinery, equipment and softwares, availability of smart class rooms and automated classroom lecture capture system and Live lecture streaming from Classes are offered to students. Also, Students centric learning activities through NPTEL courses, Virtual labs, MOOC courses, Spoken Tutorials, Hackathons, Coding Contests, etc. and well placed alumni across 200+ companies worldwide are our strengths as well. 

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth?

“Never give upon your passion and goals”

Work hard, Don’t give up too easily. Have good work ethics. Have perseverance, enough tolerance and try hard till your dream is reached. Remember, you are a member of the society and always look for the well-being of the society. Select your career based on your own personal interest and not based on compulsion or compromises. Use mobile phones and other electronic gadgets judicially. 

What plans are you currently designing for MSEC’s international affairs?

“Enhancing the industry orientation and capabilities”

Skill upgradation of students by encouraging them to undertake international internships at Universities and R & D organizations, abroad for better employment and Research career. Providing a wider range of Special Courses by experts from reputed industry and institutes beyond the curriculum is being implemented. Moreover, adaptability and flexibility of teachers in accommodating their teaching style to the availability of latest technological developments is the need of the hour. On the same note, the adaptability and flexibility of students to the learning process is also being elevated. 

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How do you tend to establish a healthy environment within your college?

“Proper mentorship and take care of students”

We ensure that students’ needs are well cared for. Feedback from students is taken seriously in creating an environment which is student friendly and providing a conducive environment for learning. The teachers are easily approachable. Young faculty members are given training on students’ psychology and teaching methodology. An effective student mentoring and counseling system has been implemented in the institution. Staff advisors are appointed for all the students and they are the mentors for the students until they complete the programme. Internal and External Counsellors also provide guidance and counseling to the needy students.