My background...

All my education was in Tamil Nadu. I completed a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications engineering and a master’s degree in Applied Electronics from Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. After I got married, I moved to Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh and joined Bapatla Women’s Engineering College as an assistant professor in the Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) department. I teach several ECE related subjects, and some non-ECE related subjects like C programming. I have been teaching at BWEC for a year and half now. I originally wanted a career in the semi-conductor industry, but due to various circumstances, I could not pursue that. And now, enjoy teaching and interacting with the students and preparing them for their professional careers.

My approach to teaching...

Beyond academics, I believe in preparing students for their professional careers. I think it is important for them to be able to communicate effectively. So, I design my classes to be more like seminars. I invite the students to gather information on a topic, build a presentation and present to the entire class. I also give the students opportunities to participate in group discussions during class. At times, the topics I give them for discussion are not technical but more general in nature. The students in my class come from rural backgrounds and do not have too many opportunities to express themselves and communicate their ideas, which is required for them to find good jobs. These activities prepare them to do well in placement interviews. The students are responding well to this approach and give me positive feedback.

My advice to graduating students...

They must expand their knowledge in new areas beyond what they learned in school. The students are academically strong but lack proficiency in English and the confidence to speak up when needed. I would emphasize the importance of communicating their ideas both competently and confidently.

My Aikyam experience...

Aikyam is a great program for the students to develop soft skills. It provides them valuable training for placement interviews. This has been my focus all along, so Aikyam complements my efforts very well. Initially, the students were questioning the benefits of participating in the program, but now they are engaging with interest. I can clearly see the transformation. Initially, they would hesitate to speak in a public setting, but now they express themselves freely. I can see the transformation even in the way they interact with Aikyam mentors and answer their questions.