Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, HOD of the Bioinformatics Department: Dr. Radha Mahendran Interview

Dr. Radha Mahendran is a HOD Bioinformatics at the Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies, Chennai. She completed Master Of Science,Technology and Doctorate Her Overall teaching experience of 20 years at VISTAS.Field of Specialization is Bioinformatics,Microbiology /Genetics. Dr.Radhe Mahendran has published over 70 research articles in various reputed national and international journals with good factor .She has also published few books in her major area of research which includes computer aided drug designing using natural compounds. She has visited several foreign countries for the presentation of her research work. Dr. Radha has received medals and awards from VISTAS for her academic achievements and also achieved the Best Young Teachers Award and Academic Excellence Award from various educational agencies. She is also the Recipient of the Asian Pacific Bioinformatics Network (INCOB)-Grant Award and holds the position of Associate Director for Seminars and Conferences,VISTAS. She is also serving as an editorial member and reviewer of various reputed journals. 

What is the latest program that is offered in Vels University which will help students outperform and stand apart from the crowd?

“Courses in Bsc Biocomputing, computer and biological science are available to pupils”

Our campus provides a unique program Bsc.Biocomputing which involves both biology and IT. Several pharmaceutical industries such as Biotech and software companies are clamoring to hire professionals with experience in Biocomputing for analysis of huge amounts of biological and health care information with the help of Bioinformatics tools or databases.Unfortunately, graduates skilled in both computer science and biological science are limited in India. With the rapid development of new software to make sense of life,graduates who are entranced by data can pursue more career opportunities. Hence, the students can outperform and stand apart from the crowd. We get the students to enroll in value added courses like Cheminformatics,next generation sequencing analysis and R-programming skills. After successful completion of the course, our industries provide certification for the students.

What are the factors that make the program the best for students to opt for?

“Well equipped Bioinformatics lab, practical skills and digital learning are provided through our courses”

We provide an effective blended learning method to students apart from acquiring theoretical knowledge in classrooms. It improves their practical skill sets by working in our lab where they can access digital learning. We have a well equipped Bioinformatics lab with high end IBM desktops loaded with the latest Bioinformatics software for research.

What will you say about the best practices in the course you’re offering in Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies?

“Projects, industrial visits and technical skills are the best practices provided through our courses”

Our curriculum is designed in such a way that students have to perform mini and major projects during third and final years. We guide and train the students to develop various biological databases and tools. Our campus signed Memorandum of Understanding with core industries and software companies. Industrial visits are arranged very frequently where students can learn and acquire hands-on experience in all the latest technologies offered by industries. Thus, the students become a well groomed professional with all the practical technical skills .

What are some valuable insights of the program that you are offering at your Vels University?

“Provide workshops, computer and programming knowledge through our courses”

We frequently organize hands-on training workshops in collaboration with leading industries and institutes for our students. We frequently provide training in molecular modeling and computer aided drug designing, NGS,Cheminformatics, or R-programming. Through these training, we enable students for the discovery of new biological insights.

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How does the program ensure that students are being prepared for the future?

“Give soft skill training, regular classes and group discussions to all pupils”

Apart from regular classes, our students are provided with such soft skill trainings.They are trained to deliver seminars and other presentations. We encourage them to participate in group discussions.The students are trained to improve their personality development skills through several classes to make them ready for placements .

How did you train yourself to deliver this program to the students in Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies?

“Workshops, video lectures, and other discussions for pupils”

We explore and implement all the ways of effective teaching methods. Our campus deliver lectures in our smart classrooms and followed by interaction or discussion with the students. We attend several FDPs,and workshops to update ourselves. Our faculties teach through several video lectures. We also teach through e-content developed by faculty and other subject experts courses from NPTEL,Swayam and Coursera for the students.

How do you tend to build an industry connected with this program?

“Industrial visits, Projects and other internships are provided to pupils”

Industrial exposure molds the students according to their requirements. Very frequently industrial visits are planned for students. It depends on the projects they are working on in industrial visits.They explore various skills and prepare reports on what they observe in the industry. Hence, they get a deep knowledge about various technologies applied in industries.

What were the challenges that you faced while inculcating this program into your curriculum?

“To train the students coming from biology and science backgrounds”

One of the most challenging tasks is to train the students coming from both biology background and computing science background. We have to make the concepts clear from fundamentals to both the stream of students. Hence, we provide several bridge courses to students during their first semester to understand the basic concepts better.

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What are the types of projects that students are working through this program in Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies?

“Molecular modeling, computer aided courses and about natural sources are given to pupils”

Our students are working in both mini and major on various titles. Also, internship projects and funded projects by various government funding agencies are provided to pupils. Molecular modeling and Computer aided designing of drugs are the projects working by pupils. Other ones include biological databases and tool development. Screening of drugs from natural sources using bioinformatics approaches are available to pupils.

What are the benefits and career options after pursuing this course?

“Job opportunities in IT and Pharmaceutical companies in India are available to pupils”

We provide complete guidance to students to decide their career options either in the computer science field or biology field. We start guiding the students from day 1 regarding their areas of interest. They have an active placement cell and an entrepreneurship cell for students. We educate and guide them regarding higher education career options. Several IT Companies have started life science divisions. They are actively involved in development of biological databases and software tools. Biocomputing would offer good prospects with excellent job opportunities in IT and Pharmaceutical companies in India. Several companies like BioCon,Wipro,Reliance,Satyam,TCS,IBM LifeSciences, PubGene,Silicon Genetics and more. We offer good employment opportunities for Biocomputing or Bioinformatics candidates.