Internships helps students identify their strengths and weakness, HOD-Department of Computing

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, HOD-Department of Computing at CIT Coimbatore - Coimbatore Institute Of Technology Dr A Kannammal talks about the unique pedagogy and all the initiatives institute is taking to help students prepare for better tomorrow.  She also talks about the industry involvement to keep the curriculum updated and the internship opportunities offered to students twice a year to give them practical exposure. Dr Kannammal has 22 years of experience in teaching, research, and software development

Read the excerpts of the interview below:

Q: What are the salient features of the teaching methodology adopted by your college? How does this differ from others?

A: Our teaching methodology ensures significant practical exposure through laboratory courses in such a way that the students become well versed in applying statistical skills on real-time scenarios and data using technical (computer science) knowledge and make inferences and decisions using the domain knowledge accumulated through management courses.

Management courses like Digital Marketing, Financial Analysis, Human Resource Management, Enterprise Resource Development and Operations Research are delivered with laboratory courses as well, which gives an edge over other management graduates.

Minor project on decision tool development is carried out in the ninth semester of the programme, which provides a platform for the students to blend their knowledge in the three streams (statistics, computer science, management science). This day-to-day learning experience helps the students to perform extremely well during their industry internship.

Q: How are you preparing your students to be Industry ready?

A: The curriculum includes two full-semester internships during seventh and tenth semesters. Students are recruited by reputed organisations as interns. This industry work experience during the seventh semester facilitates students to identify their strengths, weaknesses and their area of interest/passion. This is the first phase of the transformation of students into professionals.

Based on their interest, students choose the electives to specialise in their area of interest and to progress in their respective career paths.

Participation in technical events like hackathons is encouraged so that students will ideate and offer solutions to industry problems.

Tenth-semester internship transforms our students into most sought after complete professionals.

Q: What are the qualities you are looking for in student applicants? What qualities do they need to do well in your course?

A: Student applicants with good abilities in logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, communication skills, and creative thinking are most welcome to our programme.

Q: How do you ensure that your course curriculum is up to date and meets industry requirements?

A: Our board of studies is constituted with members from premier academic institutions and reputed industries and meeting is conducted twice per year. The curriculum is regularly updated with the inputs given by these experts.

Apart from this, our regular interactions with industry experts at various forums help us to update ourselves to meet the industry demands.

Q: Is your college receptive to innovation, technology, science & entrepreneurship? How? Could you cite some examples of these?

A: Yes, our college is receptive to innovations. It provides the necessary support to present our ideas in the conferences, science forums, and other technical events.

Necessary guidance is given for filing patents, and venturing into entrepreneurship as well.