Dr.M.Karthikeyan is presently serving as the Principal at Tamilnadu College of Engineering, Coimbatore. Having 21 years of experience in various capacities in both industries and academia, he is a senior member of IEEE and ISTE, and former Secretary of IEEE, Podhigai subsection of Madras section. Also, he has been co-Principal Investigator for DRDO funded research projects and an expert member for Board Studies in PG under UGC sponsored Innovative Programme. He has published many research papers in various international journals and conferences, and has organized many symposiums, seminars, workshops, AICTE sponsored FDPs and International conferences as well. 

Tamilnadu College of Engineering

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

“Increasing the standard of education and recognition for college”

Obtaining accreditation for all the courses and Institution, and getting top ranking in NIRF is our objective for the coming years. We strive to promote Entrepreneurship and placements equally, increase students participation in research oriented projects, and focus on socially useful product development and consultation services. Also, we are developing and modernizing laboratories with state of the art equipment, and introducing new courses in the emerging areas of technology and encouragement to pursue value added courses to suit the industrial expectations. To increase the overall external funding for research and development projects, and giving space comfort to all sports and games is our priority as well to develop students holistically. 

How do you strategize the key plans for the marketing of your college?

“Displaying flux with the highlights of the institution at various platforms”

We do digital marketing on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LINKEDIN, etc. To promote our college online, we have our own YouTube channel TCE1984 where we periodically update our college website www.tnce.in. Also, we are conducting various seminars and webinars by our alumni to share the alumni’s testimonials to promote admissions. Moreover, we share our college brochures, pamphlets, advertisements in newspapers, advertisements in radio and various TV channels. Newsletters of each department are published every month on our website and online platforms. 

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

“A balanced mindset is must for all”

My advice for the younger minds is that they should enhance their skillset and knowledge by continuous learning. They have to seek internship opportunities and pursue their passion, they should actively seek more opportunities, build their network, and should be self-motivated. Strive for excellence and find a balance with their personal and professional life.

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

“Strong student-oriented environment”

Our college’s greatest strengths are its highly qualified and experienced faculties, well-equipped laboratories, Alumni, fully air-conditioned Auditorium of sufficient acoustical requirements with a capacity of 1500 seating that holds a number of seminars and conferences. Our campus is completely WiFi-enabled making digital access possible anytime anywhere. Smart classrooms also enrich our campus facility. Moreover, we are having an Anti-ragging committee and Visaga committee to solve the problems for students and faculty. We have good ties with the Rotaract Club and we have three student Rotaract wings functioning on our campus. 

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

“Developmental activities through various clubs”

The Language Club of our college plays a vital role in enhancing and enriching the Communication Skills of the students by offering TOEFL coaching classes, to pursue various abroad programmes. Apart from this, NSS, YRC and Rotaract Club are functioning in the college for the welfare of students and society. We have a Fine Arts club and other clubs to develop the relationship and teamwork skills of the students. Their club, running in the college, is providing the orphaned, destitute unloved, needy, handicapped persons, with alone, love, happiness, physical, mental emotional and spiritual nourishment, the highest level of education possible, and hope for a bright future. Tamil mandram, Science club and conducting PMKVY courses are helping students to gain knowledge and skills. Our college is providing GATE coaching classes for SC/ST students through AICTE PRERANA scheme as well. 

How does your college prepare students for placements?

“Step-by-step approaches training and placement”

Training and placement cell plays a vital role in shaping up the career goals of students. It is the dream of every engineering student to get placed in a top organization visiting their campus for recruitment. Training is important for engineering students to enhance their employability skills and achieve good placement in various industries. In the first year, we create awareness about career planning, career mapping and soft skills training. In the second year, we give QA training, Technical training and Inplant training. Third-year, we give coaching for various competitive exams such as GATE, TOEFL, GRE, TANCET, Technical training and pre-placement training. In the final year, we train in project development, organize various training programmes to train the students in the areas of Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning through the reputed external training organizations and in-house trainers. We are training the students through mock interviews and group discussions to perform well in professional interviews as per the expectations of the corporate world. We conduct online tests and written aptitude tests as well.

How does the college enhance the faculty according to the industry standards?

“Offering customized skill development programmes”

Our faculties are encouraged to pursue their higher studies and research activities. Faculties are attending the online courses through NPTEL and Swayam. Our faculties are attending various conferences, seminars, workshops, faculty development programmes to enhance their knowledge. Faculties are encouraged to publish their works in SCI and SCOPUS indexed journals periodically. We also conduct Faculty Development Programmes on various modern teaching pedagogy to motivate the freshers and as well as experienced faculty members.

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What is your philosophy of leadership?

“Communication, Vision and Accountability”

The most successful leaders inspire others, build connections between people and create alignment throughout the institution. People look to the leaders for direction on how to behave. If a leader has a strong vision, little setbacks and obstacles will seem small and are totally insignificant. They will work through them and persevere to the end, learning as they go. Accountability builds trust, improves performance, promotes ownership and inspires confidence, the key aspects of a great leader. Also, Empathy is a critical leadership skill because people want to be understood, especially by their higher officials. Your appreciation includes and supports them. You help them see the positive elements inherent in daily life, and to feel more hopeful about the possibility of future success. 

What approaches do you bring in to train the students apart from curriculum?

“Exploring and exposing to diverse co-curricular activities”

We are organizing various symposiums, international conferences, national level seminars, workshops, science exhibitions, inter-college competitions and inter-school competitions for students. Our college has organized various sports competitions for school students and college students and conducted sports zonal meets on our campus. We have conducted large scale blood donation camps in our college. Our college has organized AICTE sponsored STTP for faculties as well. Special attention to increasing the role of Alumni in academics is regularly taken into consideration for helping and guiding aspiring students.