The SOT has established a curriculum that strongly emphasis on applied learning and leans toward practicality, says Dean

Dr Kiran Ravulakollu, the dean of Woxsen University's School of Tchnology, speaks in-depth about the numerous qualities they look for in student candidates in an interview with Shiksha.com. He also discusses the qualities they may instil in students to help them become better people. He goes into considerable detail about the curriculum, teaching techniques, efforts to educate students for the workforce, etc. at the institute.

Dr Ravulakollu has been an enthusiastic person with varied knowledge skills. His contribution in the area of bio-inspired hybrid intelligent systems is appreciable. His area of expertise is associated with solution development using bio-inspired modelling through artificially intelligent environments using artificial intelligence and machine learning principles. Allied areas of research include connected systems, data modelling and applied intelligence.

Read the complete interview below.

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

 A: The School of Technology at Woxsen University has set forth a curriculum that emphasizes on Applied Learning and has greater inclination towards practicality. To comply with the same, this program seamlessly integrates basic science concepts with the latest technologies, thereby providing them with relevant practice through high-tech lab work and projects. The school also adopts various teaching pedagogies such as self-learning, group discussions, flipped classrooms etc. to ensure maximum acquisition of knowledge. Besides engaging them in real-time projects, we provide Global Exposure with Exclusive Student Exchange Programs.

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

A: The students at School of Technology are nurtured and prepared for the outcomes of the real-world right from the beginning of their course. They are imparted with required fundamental knowledge and are exposed to career-oriented specializations at several levels. These pathways consists of courses that are recommended by various industrial experts of specific domains, that helps the students in acquiring relevant knowledge and skill set that can increase their chance of entering into a potential role in the industry.

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

A: Any individual that aspires a career in technology should be open to New-age learning methods, should be technology savvy, possess a zeal to work on a global platform and has strong analytical skills, attention to detail and problem-solving skills among others.

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

A: Woxsen is reckoned for its disruptive B.Tech programs and specializations, like Artificial Intelligence, Mechatronics, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, to name a few. These specialisations are aligned to the industry-requirements not only in terms of the degree, but also towards the industry exposure and applied learning acquired by the students.

The program curriculum is prepared and developed through an extensive and exhaustive processes that encapsulates inputs from national, international, societal, market, research & technological progress aspects.

These inputs are acquired through various experts who are part of our Board of Studies or are associated from eminent universities and well established companies. The curriculum not only focuses on facilitating fundamental or conceptual knowledge, but also imparts practical and applicative knowledge to students.

With the skillset they acquired, the students will now be able to make choices that will help  fast-track their career in fields that best works for them.

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

A: The two of the core pillars of School of Technology constitutes Innovation/Research and Entrepreneurship. Besides the exceptional teaching pedagogies, our students are expected to contribute towards conducting collaborative research with faculty. The curriculum supports Innovation through student projects, case-studies, Industry interactions and visits that keeps them abreast with latest technological advancements happening in the Industry.

The disruptive programs offered include study and application of latest technology, High-tech labs back the programs which are equipped with latest technology/machinery. We also have a Dedicated Incubation Center providing guidance, mentorship & seed funding to disruptive ideas.

Faculty of the school plays a vital role in productizing the creative ideas of the students. As Dean of the School of Technology, I make sure that we are driven towards innovation from such ideas and extend towards patents and other representations. This idea of moving towards patents has been developed by a team of students from 1^st year.

One of the propelling stances of innovative excellence is a team of students from 1^st & 2^nd year who has represented their idea in an international competition and bagged the first position with a cash prize of 1,00,00/-.