Mrs. Dr. Swagata Sarkar has been working as the Head of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Department at Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She has done M. Tech, ME, MBA, PhD, PG Diploma in Artificial intelligence as part of her academics. She is also a Chartered Engineer from IEI. She has also received a gold medal for securing the All India Topper rank in the Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers exam from Institution of Engineers, India. She has also completed DST, TNSCST and has done many industry funded projects as Industry consultant. In addition to all this, she has received several national and international awards. She is working as the Reviewer and Technical Committee Member in many associations and is a Senior Member of more than 10 professional bodies.

Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai

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

"My passion of educating others, upgrading my own knowledge have kept me intacted with this sector"

Education sector is not just a sector but a hub of limitless knowledge, new challenges, learning opportunities and scope for society and nation growth. It also gives us abundant opportunities to work and interact with innovators, inventors, professionals, industry experts, scientists and entrepreneurs. Teaching and research are both my passions. We can work with students simultaneously with real time product development and can solve society related problems as well. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) can be addressed and solved very easily with the support, hardwork and dedication of young minds, who are directly connected with the education sector. These factors together have kept me associated with the education sector.

Being the Head of AI and DS Department at SSEC, what is your philosophy of leadership? 

"For me true leadership is enhancing teams skills by bringing out them out of their comfort zones"

I believe in a transformational and democratic kind of leadership. As a transformational leader I ensure to challenge my team by assigning new tasks to them so that they can discover new solutions by coming out of their comfort zone. I keep encouraging my team to set realistic goals for themselves and ask them to learn things on their own first, and if required my guidance and support is always available for them. I always take big decisions after rigorous consultation with my team members and thoroughly consider their suggestions before finalising anything. 

How do you strategize the key programs for the marketing and administration of your college?

"By showcasing our achievements and strengthening our infrastructure"

We do the marketing of our institute by highlighting our strengths and achievements through various events which we conduct through both offline mode and online mode using social media handles. And as far as the administration part is concerned, we keep ourselves updated with the latest industrial and educational trends and requirements. 

In your experience, what inbound students can gain from studying here in your institute?

"We have best environment, education, training and internship opportunities for students"

We offer the finest quality of students and diversity of students in our college gives them an ambiance to grow on both personal and professional levels. This is further supplemented with hand-on experiments and training programs, industry-interaction sessions and internships opportunities.

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How does the curriculum of your college ensure the best practices of industry?

"It is designed after rigorous consultation with industry experts to include latest developments"

The curriculum of all the courses that our college offers is designed in association with eminent personalities of NITs, IITs and renowned industry experts. And we have also signed MOUs with leading industry organizations and foreign universities to make our students ready. 

How is your college more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

"We grants admission to students of all communities and religion irrespective of their background"

We accept admission from every corner of the country and don't discriminate between students depending on their caste, religion, colour or gender, and if someone is caught doing so, strict provisions are there to punish them. We also offer scholarships to those students who are financially less stable. 

What are your responsibilities for the University and students?

"To work for the development of students and enhancement of University reputation and ranking"

Being the Head of Department, my responsibility is to ensure discipline in college and classes by making students punctual. And towards students my role is to make them responsible citizens through proper guidance and counselling.

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

"We should upgrade our education quality and policies by introducing new programs"

We should work to improve our education quality to achieve our vision of producing finest entrepreneurs and future leaders. Along with this, the infrastructure of college and its ambiance must be developed to encourage students to study more.

When you joined this college, what was your vision for it? Has it evolved over time?

"To bring best business value for college by enhancing its education quality and facilities"

When I joined this college, my vision was to make the institute a center of excellence so that we can offer finest quality technical education and research opportunities to students, develop their overall personality and instill high levels of discipline in them. In addition to this, my objective was to establish global level facilities in college and make students technologically superior and ethically strong who can in turn contribute to the advancement of society and humankind. Yes, my vision has definitely evolved over time and I am slowly progressing to achieve it very soon. 

What would you like people to know about your college?

"We have established best research facilities in our college"

Our college has created milestones in the propagation of SDG, Sairam Innovation EcoSystem. And we have our own well equipped incubation center with all research facilities. Establishment of AICTE IDEA lab is the recent proud achievement of our college.

What do you see as the greatest strengths of Sri Sairam Engineering College?

"Our Alumni are our main pillar of strength"

The greatest strength of our college are our globally recognised Alumni, because no one knows us better than them. And they help us a lot in keeping ourselves updated with the latest developments and requirements of the industrial world.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see for higher education in general? 

"Lack of research environment in institutions is a major challenge in higher education"

The biggest challenge in the higher education sector is to maintain the quality of research and development. Colleges need to create more industry ready students with market finished products.

Any suggestions which you would like to give to the current youth and aspiring students?

"Believe in yourself and keep upgrading your skills"

I would like to advise my students and youths to have faith in them. And be loyal with you, your parents, teachers and friends. Keep doing good work for others as well once you achieve your goals.

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What are some plans that you are currently designing for students of your institute?

"We are working to collaborate with many foreign industries and universities to bring best opportunities for them"

We are collaborating with foreign universities to bring best learning and growth opportunities for our students and to enhance their industrial exposure. We are getting membership for different foreign societies and also planning to give financial assistance to them for research projects.

How do you establish a healthy relationship and environment in your college?

"By giving an ambiance of open and respectful communication to everyone"

To have a healthy relationship with everyone in my institute, I ensure to give them an open communication platform where they can interact with each other freely, can trust each other while sharing their issues and work in a collaborative manner to fulfill the desired objectives and gain knowledge.