BMCT, BM College, HOD: Mr. Ashish Ranjan Interview

Mr. Ashish Ranjan is the Head of the Department of BMCT, BM College. He holds a B.E. degree in ECE, and an M.Tech. in VLSI. At present, he is pursuing a PhD as well. Since 2011, he has been working with BM College as an Associate Professor and Head of the Department, managing memberships with various bodies. For his efforts, he received the Best Faculty Award in 2014. Mr. Ranjan has 14 papers published in popular international and national journals in his area of expertise.

What is the latest program that you are offering in your ECE deptartment which will help students outperform and stand apart from the crowd?

Electronics and Communication Engineering is a rapidly evolving field with a wide range of applications in today's technology-driven world. To help students excel in this programme and work towards achieving their desired life and career goals, we have implemented several strategies and programs. We offer training and special classes on machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT). It has also been also introduced in the B.Tech. student's syllabus. Special attention to these topics will help students to fulfil both academic and industry requirements. 

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

ECE graduates have a wide range of career options available to them. They can work in industries such as telecommunications, consumer electronics, aerospace, healthcare, robotics, and more. The field is continuously evolving, providing opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies. ECE is at the forefront of technological innovation. It plays a critical role in developing and advancing technologies like 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Students in this field have the chance to contribute to the latest advancements. With the increasing reliance on technology and communication, there is a global demand for ECE professionals. Graduates often find job opportunities not only in their home countries but also in international markets. ECE bridges multiple disciplines, including electrical engineering, computer science, and physics. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to gain a broad range of skills and knowledge. ECE professionals contribute to society by developing technologies that improve communication, healthcare, transportation, and various other aspects of daily life. The decision to pursue Electronics and Communication Engineering should align with your interests, career goals, and passion for working with electronic systems and communication technologies. It's important to research the specific programmes and courses offered by universities and colleges to ensure they align with your career aspirations.

What are the best practices in the course you’re offering?

ECE graduates often have the knowledge and skills needed to start their own tech companies or develop innovative products. Entrepreneurship is a viable path for those who want to create their own opportunities. During the course, we provide students with ample knowledge of industry requirements and how they can be eligible to grab such opportunities. We provide them with industrial visits, internships from industries and training in different semesters.

What are some valuable insights of the program that you are offering at your ECE dept.? 

In this competitive world, having a problem-solving attitude and the right soft skills are the key to success. We make them aware of all the recent research and advancements in technology so that they can find such problem statements and solutions that contribute to society and their personal growth.

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

ECE programmes regularly update their curriculum to reflect the latest technological advancements and industry trends. This ensures that students are learning relevant skills and knowledge. These programs provide students with a strong foundation in core areas such as electronics, digital systems, communication systems, and signal processing that allow graduates to adapt to new technologies and concepts more easily. ECE often incorporates interdisciplinary coursework, allowing students to gain skills and knowledge from related fields like computer science, physics, and mathematics. This broadens their perspectives and prepares them for a variety of roles. The programmes emphasize hands-on experience through laboratory work, projects, and internships. This practical exposure helps students apply theoretical concepts to real-world problems, making them more adaptable to the demands of the future. Many ECE programmes offer research opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research projects. This exposure to research encourages innovation and keeps graduates updated on the latest advancements. ECE departments often collaborate with industry partners. This can lead to guest lectures, industry-sponsored projects, and internships that provide students with insights into industry needs and trends. ECE programmes emphasize emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), and quantum computing. These technologies are expected to play a significant role in the future, and graduates are well-prepared to work with them.

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How did you train yourself/faculty to deliver this program to the students?

Our institute provides faculty training programs. We motivate faculties to attend workshops on several topics. Additionally, they attend several training programs offered by AICTE and RGPV Bhopal. Our faculty members not only impart bookish knowledge to the students but also try to engage them in activities like group projects, case studies and laboratory experiments. We take feedback from the students of every faculty so that if any improvement is required, we can implement it. Moreover, I have meetings with all the faculty members to plan how to deliver the best to the students.

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

We have strong alumni connections and MOUs with institutes and different industries. We also organize industrial visits where we can make students understand how industries really work. Our focus is to provide practical knowledge to our students. We have collaborations with many companies where students can get a chance to have an internship program and also get a stipend for it.

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

Technologies are changing rapidly but in academics, it takes time to introduce them. To make our students aware of recent technologies and meet the demands of the industry, we collaborate with industries and trainers. At the same time, it’s also challenging to make our departmental faculties aware of this recent technology through different training programs.

What are the types of projects that the students are working on through this program?

Students often engage in projects related to the design and analysis of electronic circuits. These projects can involve building and testing circuits for various applications, such as amplifiers, filters, and digital logic circuits. ECE students frequently work on projects involving embedded systems and microcontrollers. These projects may include designing and programming microcontroller-based systems for tasks like automation, control, and sensor interfacing. ECE students explore projects related to communication systems, including the design and simulation of wireless communication systems, modulation and demodulation techniques, and network protocols.

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

Pursuing a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) can offer a wide range of benefits and open up numerous career options. ECE graduates possess a versatile skill set that can be applied to various industries and technologies, making them adaptable to changing career landscapes. Due to the increasing reliance on technology and communication, ECE professionals are in high demand across the globe, providing strong job prospects. ECE careers often come with competitive salaries, making it a financially rewarding field. ECE professionals have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and contribute to innovation in areas such as wireless communication, IoT, AI, and more. The skills and knowledge gained in ECE are transferable internationally, allowing for global job opportunities and collaboration. ECE professionals are trained to solve complex technical problems, fostering strong analytical and problem-solving skills. ECE programs often emphasize ethical considerations in technology development, promoting responsible and socially conscious engineering practices.