Millia Institute of Technology, Head of Department - Computer Science Engineering: RABIA ASHRAFI Interview

RABIA ASHRAFI is currently serving as Head of Department - Computer Science Engineering at Millia Institute of Technology, Purnea. With a rich experience in teaching Computer Architecture, Computer Network, Artificial Intelligence, Programming in JAVA, Multimedia and Web Technology, she holds a M.Tech. Degree. With major areas of research in Networking, Cloud computing, Big data, etc. she has two publications to her credit - E-Learning: Distributed Processing of Large Datasets with Parallel Algorithm and Tweet Segmentation: To Reduce False Comment on Twitter through Hybridseg.

What are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

“Inspiring, Motivating and Assisting”

To plan, schedule, organize, coordinate and monitor Lectures and Practicals for the students, along with monitoring the attendance and academic performance of each student of the department are my roles towards them. Also, I take leads to encourage students to participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, attend the seminars, and present papers in Conferences and Presentations at regional and national level. I advise and assist the students in their project works and take all the necessary steps to improve their progress. 

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

“Regular interactions and maintaining equality”

By meeting with the faculty members and communicating with them regarding welfare of students and department on a regular basis help me understand them better and bring in positive relations among us. I always make sure that the team's workload is divided fairly and each member is able to complete the assigned task on time. I also involve my faculty members in FDPs and seminars that aid skill development. 

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

“Providing all assets for learning practically”

By guiding students in project work, practical demonstration of concepts, and making the laboratory and seminar classes more purposeful by examining the students orally are some key strategies to improve the practical knowledge of students. I tell my students about the physical significance of the subjects taught and encourage them to keep themselves updated with the technology. Also, at the department I ensure timely and adequate provision of textbooks, materials and equipment required for the effective teaching of the subject. By conducting tutorials and seminars in an effective manner, we improvise their learning as well.

What best practices do you offer that help students gain necessary skills?

“Add-on learning approaches and exposure”

By teaching students basic computer skills, logic and coding, providing student training and instruction in the use of Computer Technology and assigning practical tasks help to enhance multiple skills among students such as communication, teamwork, leadership, etc. Also, we encourage students to participate in practical programs to get more exposure. We also help students attend online workshops and webinars to get more depth into the subject. 

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How do you strategize the curriculum to make it befitting for the students?

“Arranging and implementing basic yet powerful pedagogy”

I closely analyze current teaching practices and learning goals and re-examine the links between goals and course design. I follow a very productive pathway where I develop teaching strategies and approaches, reconsider the role of assessment in the course and explore curricular questions to gather data. Therewith, I brainstorm the major points and make advanced technology a constant in the courses offered. 

How does your department prepare students for higher education?

“Dissipating research knowledge and learnings”

By indulging actively in student’s project work and inculcating interest in students regarding research work, needed to pursue higher education and applying real-world engineering examples and situations during teaching are some key approaches. Organizing workshops and lectures on the latest technologies and tools, encouraging the students to participate in industry-oriented competitions, and knowledge sharing through seminars and webinars on different topics are undertaken as well. 

How do you help your student to cope up with the high competition outside?

“Stronger motivation and active participation”

We motivate and encourage teamwork in projects that get students to help each other and using their individual strengths to accomplish a goal. Also, by ensuring the active participation of students in webinars and workshops, we help them in getting global exposure and develop confidence. In addition, we provide them opportunities to learn Programming Languages and solve real-life problems. Various extra-curricular activities are organized at the Institute as well such as group discussions, webinars, quiz competitions, project exhibitions, etc.

How does the department prepare the faculty according to the industry standards?

“Training and development to improvise skills”

Our faculty are made to attend various FDPs of AICTE training and learning academy, webinars and workshops to enhance their skills and knowledge. We ourselves coordinate various events at college and regional levels that give faculty a chance to improve themselves. We keep updating the knowledge and inspire them to bring out quality research publications in the field. Also, they are encouraged to participate as a speaker in webinars. 

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What valuable advice would you give to the students to have a prosperous career?

“Keep upgrading your knowledge and skills”

Students aspiring to pursue a career in this field must focus on developing practical computer science skills, and improve their soft skills as well. They must seek new challenges, and understand the software engineering practices employed by the industry.