Dr. Sona S Dev is currently working as Assistant Professor & Head, Department of Biotechnology, St. Peter’s College, Kolenchery. Her area of specialization is Plant Molecular Biology. She has done her doctoral thesis on “Development of cry2Ac transformants of tobacco and their analysis for transgene expression and larvicidal activity”.

St Peter's College

Being a Faculty of the Department, what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

As I am the head of the department of Biotechnology in our college, I have the responsibility of taking charge of all the activities associated with the department. I need to manage my fellow staff members, lab assistant as well as the students to ensure the overall smooth running of the day-to-day activities of the department. This involves setting action plans for each academic year mostly student centric and working towards the attainment of the same by efficient monitoring and implementation. I need to be vigilant about the performance of each student and assess his/her contribution to the goals set for each academic year. In case of any poor performance, I along with co faculties will evaluate the reason for the same and provide mentoring support. In case of money constraints financial support is provided. Students are also provided industrial trainings as well as coaching for competitive examinations like CSIR JRF/NET examinations to ensure proper placements

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

I try to understand their personal background talk to them and give a patient listening to their problems. This helps them to approach me with their problems and me in giving the best possible solution that I can offer. I also assess the academic potential of the students and accordingly guide them to apply for higher studies or to get a good placement. Various extracurricular events are conducted for the students so as to improve their overall personality and to help them mold their talent and genius. The faculties including myself will go with students for study tours. This helps them in improving their academic excellence as well as creates a strong bond of intimacy between the teachers and students. A good rapport is also maintained with the parents to update the overall performance of their wards.

I maintain a good rapport with my fellow faculties. This helps to build a sense of respect and trust for each other. We communicate openly and all are friendly enough to approach for any help.

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

We impart industry-oriented skill training to students to equip them to find creative solutions to emerging challenges faced by society. Students are guided to get updated regarding all the research findings in Biotechnology which is a fast-growing area. They need to find accurate and reliable data and learn to analyse it critically. Students will be taught to improve their communication skills, so that they have the confidence to open discussions and experiences with their fellow workers. Students will also be made to indulge in extension activities like water quality checking in nearby villages.

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

Regular workshops and training in using sophisticated equipments in Life sciences are conducted for the students to improve their skill and make them employable. My department has encouraged students to pursue internships in industries and research institutes and this enhances their practical knowledge. The college has also signed MoUs with industries to facilitate more industry academia collaborations.

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How does the department/ college/University enhance the skills of the faculty and prepares them according to the industry standards? 

The College/ University conducts workshops and training for the faculties as well as students on the use of sophisticated research equipments. MoUs hve been signed with industries to facilitate the usage of equipments and promote collaborative research. The faculties are also updated regarding the latest requirements of the industry and how to improve the technical skills of the students.

What are the challenges you faced/ are facing to uplift the quality of education of your department? 

Most of the students seeking admission to MSc Biotechnology course have their graduation degree in various disciplines of Life Sciences. Hence during the first semester it is a bit of challenge for the faculty to introduce the subject. So an extra mentoring is provided to students who don’t have a fundamental knowledge about the course.

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What valuable advice would you like to the students for them to have a prosperous career ahead?

Biotechnology sector in India is going to stand amongst the top 12 biotech destinations in the world. The scope of Biotechnology has expanded to diverse sciences and this opens up innumerable career prospects to students.

The students need to be updated regarding the latest advancements in this field and should build up their technical skill to perform high end research. This dedicated learning and hardwork alone can help them to get a good placement.