R.P. Sharma Institute of Technology, Head of Department - ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING: Prof Rajeev Ranjan Interview

Prof Rajeev Ranjan is currently serving as Head of Department - ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING at R.P. Sharma Institute of Technology, Patna. Having more than 14 years of experience in teaching Engineering Graduates, his areas of interest include Power Systems, Network Theory and consultancy projects with the industries in the area of Electrical Machines and Drives. Prof Rajeev Ranjan is a post-graduation M.Tech. in Control System Engineering from the National Institute of Technology(NIT), Patna.

Being a HOD of the EEE Department, what are your roles and responsibilities?

“Academic maintenance and student guidance”

The faculty and H.O.D’s play an imperative role in upholding and improving education standards in learning institutions. H.O.D’s are charged with the responsibility of overseeing the day to day operation of the institutions. I am engaged in maintaining the discipline and work culture among the students in the department. I organize need based workshops, seminars, etc. and guide the students for career opportunities in the field. Also, I invite guest speakers for interaction and guidance to students. To ensure smooth conduct of examinations including paper setting, assessment of theory and labs, the attendance record of students and monitoring of class work are my sole duties as a HOD. 

How do you tend to establish healthy relationships with your fellow faculty?

“Open communication and mutual work culture”

I have adopted an open-door policy which means faculty, as well as students, can approach me at any point of the day during working hours or can contact me via email. A good relationship between H.O.D’s and faculty promote a conducive learning environment that can lead to good performance amongst students. Basically, a healthy relationship between faculty and H.O.D’s is one that is characterized by mutual respect, collaboration, trust and a common goal. Heads build a platform whereby faculty can learn new skills, communicate about issues that affect them and eventually get the motivation to perform their duties unreservedly.

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

“Industrial exposure and grooming”

The department engages industrial visits to acquaint the students with practical and basic engineering knowledge every year. The institute conducts technical exhibitions and competitions for grooming the students and developing adaptability for technical talent/skills of innovative nature. At the end of fifth semester, students go on an industrial tour for about a week. In this tour, students are accompanied by their mentors and visit various industries situated across the neighbouring region. Students are exposed to industrial practices and interact with the professionals in the industries. The experts in the industries guide them and also deliver lectures to the students. This exposure improves the learning ability of students as they can observe classroom concepts practiced in the industries.

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What are your views upon the placement and higher education of the students?

“Students must attain wider skills for a better job perspective”

Skill Training is one of the most important factors responsible for improving the placement record of an institute. Companies no longer just look for academic excellence and aptitude, but they prefer candidates who have practical exposure and problem-solving ability in real-life situations. Our College focuses on imparting skills training to students from the first year onwards. In the present era, campus placement holds great importance for students and departments or institutions. While it helps a student in building a strong foundation for the professional career ahead, without facing the real-world job struggle or family pressure, a good placement record gives a competitive edge to an institute or department in the educational market. Similarly, higher education can lead to many benefits, including a prosperous career and financial security. In the twenty-first century, higher education plays an even more significant role in other aspects of your life. Attaining a higher education can increase your opportunities and improve your overall quality of life.

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

“Training, internships and tutorial classes”

The department has encouraged students to pursue internships during the vacation and acquire necessary problem-solving skills. Regular training is imparted in the area of communication skills and aptitude to the students to make them employable. The department also provides tutorial classes for students where students undertake group discussion, problems faced in the lecture room, quiz, class test, work exercises, in the supervision of a faculty. These measures improve the knowledge in the subject and appropriate planning of any work for achieving the objective.

What do you see as the department's greatest strengths?

“Dynamic faculty with high research potential”

Strong faculty qualification, talent and dedication, knowledgeable and cooperative faculty, great collaboration and good communication among faculty are our key strengths. We possess a critical mass of faculty, quite reasonable size with high quality having expertise in a broad range of modern electrical fields. Strong research potential with proven records of high-quality research and relatively good faculty members in research and active faculty publication activities as well enhance the education quality at our department and Institute. 

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

“Basic commitments and objectives to achieve big”

We tend to build stakeholders' interest by listening to all perspectives and ensure effective program leadership and management. We emphasize faculty ownership, cultivate administrative commitment and develop guiding principles, clear goals, and assessment procedures. The department strategically places the center within the organizational structure and encourages collegiality and community values. Offering a range of opportunities, but leading with strengths is our motto. We create collaborative systems of support and provide measures of recognition and rewards as well.

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What valuable advice you would like to give to the students for their prosperous careers?

“Think big, achieve big”

I would like to tell my students that don't waste their time anywhere like college canteen, mobile phone, et, because there are no shortcuts in life, to be successful, you need to work hard and smart. I believe that students should have to think about only their goals because thinking has no limit.