Dr.M.Prabhakaran is currently serving as the Principal at Podhigai College Of Engineering and Technology, Tirupattur. He is associated with the education sector for 20 years working across various eminent institutions in India. With a Ph.D. from Anna University, he has done research in hybrid composite materials, and has attended many seminars and conferences at national and international levels. 

Podhigai College Of Engineering and Technology

What are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

“Providing good academic learning and atmosphere”

Being the Principal, I am involved with the decision making in the academic, administration and discipline. On the academic side, I am involved with theoretical classes and practical oriented teaching. I make sure the student grasps the subject and understands it ensuring they will not forget this lifelong. I also enhance practical skill development so that it adds more value to the learnings and employability. In administration I make sure every person in the organization is treated equally. I always remain impartial between the student and faculty, creating a wholesome positive environment. 

How do you try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects?

“Industry oriented knowledge and add-on programs”

We give our students more opportunities for industrial practical knowledge and training. We make them go for industrial training for at least 15 days to an industry as an internship so that the students get industry-oriented skills. Apart from this, we also have value added courses right from the beginning of second year that enables them to learn additional micro-disciplines, apart from the prescribed course. We try to make the students do as many industrial visits as possible in the nearby region, so that they can get enriched knowledge not only in theory but also in practical training. We also organize guest lectures and seminars from the industrial people so that they can give the knowledge of what is happening in the field to the students.

How does your college enhance the skills of the faculty?

“Maximizing learning and skill enhancement”

We share the personal knowledge of our faculty and utilize it for the maximum benefit of the students. Also, we have provisions for publishing research papers and I make all the faculties publish two papers every year. In addition, we make the faculty attend development programs and workshops related to their subject choices in other colleges or in-house, organized by the college. This makes them competent and stay relevant with the curriculum and latest trends in the field. 

Check Podhigai College Of Engineering and Technology Courses & Fees

How do you prepare students for placements and higher education?

“Improving communication and placement aptitude”

Since most of our students are from rural backgrounds, they lack communication. I focus on this right from their commencement in college. Every week we have 2 or 3 classes apart from the curriculum only for the purpose of improving communication and boosting the confidence of these students. We have separate staff to handle this task and we hire people from outside to improve communication skills. We make them face the interview and outside world by making communication a priority. Also, we focus on pre-placement training from the third year, and organize mock interviews, aptitude development classes and relevant training needed for placements to compete with other institutes. 

How do you enhance the skills and expose students to real-world challenges?

“Keeping students fit and active”

We improve the personal and professional skills of each student. We keep them physically fit apart from being mentally fit through various sports and cultural events. We also have a yearly science exhibition in our college, so students from nearby schools also come visit and see the projects, increasing our students’ confidence and presentation skills. They have spread innovation and that is our motive. We encourage them to simplify but innovate the projects so that they learn on their own. 

How are you trying to achieve the mission of the college?

“Step by step approaches for betterment”

Three things make a college - admission, academic and placement. All this plays an important role in the growth of college. I focus on all 3 equally with timely arrangements and efforts with my team of experts and academicians. Once admissions and academics are managed properly, we can go for good placement training and can achieve the 100% placement target, the mission of the college. Through this cycle my dream is to be at least within the rank of 50 in Tamil Nadu state in the university results. We have been making progress over the years, and considering the current situation of admissions and education I aim to achieve it soon.

What do you see as the college’s greatest strengths?

“Financial help and productivity of students”

We prioritize our service to the people near our college. We do not expect any financial profit from this institute and are eagerly helping the poor and needy students. Every year we provide scholarships to nearby students who are financially unable to afford education. Also, we are known for quality education in the region as well as producing highly efficient graduates that form a great network of our alumni nationwide.

Click Podhigai College Of Engineering and Technology Placements

What valuable advice would you like to give to the aspiring students?

“Learn on a daily basis and develop necessary skills”

I always ask the student to be updated and relearn what they already learnt. Go through journals, search the internet for information and follow news daily, these are great sources of information and knowledge. I also suggest that they improve their communication and build up their knowledge with aptitude tests, skill development programs, etc.. They should also be aware of what the industry needs apart from curriculum and they should learn it as well.