Dr. Sanjay Yadav is the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering at ITS Engineering College in Greater Noida. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Yadav has a B.E., an M.Tech. in Production Engineering and a PhD from NIT Hamirpur. Before joining ITS, he worked at Ideal Institute of Technology, I.E.C. College of Engineering and Vishveshwarya Institute of Engineering andvTechnology. Dr. Yadav has ten papers published in well-known journals and a patent filed. He also has two book chapters written and nine publications at international and national conferences.

ITS Engineering College, Greater Noida

Can you provide an overview of your experience in the field of Civil Engineering and your previous leadership roles?

I have been working in the field of teaching Civil Engineering subjects and mentoring students since 1998. I have served my duties as a lecturer and Assistant Professor at various reputed Institutes in the NCR. I have also performed roles of huge responsibility, like student welfare, at the ITS Engineering College since 2011. In addition to these roles, I have performed my duties as Head of the Civil Engineering Department for more than 6 years. I have worked closely with faculty and students in the Civil Engineering Department. I have guided and mentored them to excel in their careers. I have improved the department's work by aligning the curriculum with Industry standards and increasing the exposure of students to emerging technologies through guest lectures, seminars, industrial training, and workshops.

What is your leadership philosophy, and how would you apply it to lead the Civil Engineering Department effectively?

My leadership philosophy can be summarised as visionary direction. I try to provide a clear vision for the department's future and inspire faculty, staff, and students to work together towards common goals. I prioritise rigorous academic standards, innovative research, and high-quality teaching to produce competent engineers. Moreover, fostering a collaborative environment and encouraging teamwork and partnerships with industry. As a leader, I promote research and embrace new technologies to address real-world challenges in civil engineering while also empowering faculty and staff, and providing opportunities for professional development. Embracing change and adapting to evolving trends in the field is important to leading with integrity, ethics, and accountability.

How would you ensure the department's curriculum aligns with industry needs and technological advancements in the field of Civil Engineering?

Ensuring that the department's curriculum aligns with industry needs and technological advancements in the field of Civil Engineering requires a proactive and collaborative approach. At ITS Engineering College, we foster strong ties with industry partners through regular meetings, workshops, and networking events. We invite many industry professionals to guest lecture in classrooms, participate in panel discussions, and offer internships to students. There is a regular practice in our institute to have the curriculum reviewed by faculty members, industry experts, and alumni.

We also analyse the curricula of other leading civil engineering programmes at reputed Institutes to identify best practises and areas for improvement. Furthermore, we conduct yearly surveys in our Institute and seek feedback from alumni, employers, and current students regarding the curriculum's effectiveness in preparing students for the workforce. We also integrate emerging technologies, software, and tools like GIS (Geographic Information System) and BIM (Building Information Modelling) used in the industry into the curriculum.

What is the Practical exposure provided by your department in the recent years?

We provide a host of practical exposure opportunities at ITS Engineering College for their students. The civil engineering department in our Institute has well-equipped laboratories with all the latest equipment, like Triaxial Test, Compression Testing Machine, and Marshall Stability Test, where students can gain hands-on experience with testing materials and conducting experiments. Students from our institute also participate in field visits to construction sites, infrastructure projects, and Concrete Plants to observe real-world applications of civil engineering principles. They even carry out surveys using modern techniques like Global Positioning System (GPS) surveying, total station and satellite survey.

The civil engineering program requires students to complete internships of six weeks with engineering firms or government agencies like NMRC, and PWD. Our students also typically work on design projects that simulate real engineering challenges.

Guest Lectures and Seminars: In ITS Engineering College we regularly Invite industry professionals and experts to give guest lectures and seminars which expose students to a wide range of perspectives and real-life experiences.

How do you plan to enhance industry connections and facilitate internships and job placements for Civil Engineering students?

We plan to enhance industry connections and facilitate internships and job placements by ensuring partnerships and collaborations with engineering firms, construction companies, government agencies, and other relevant organizations. These partnerships can lead to joint research projects and internship opportunities which can further lead to placements. We want to establish formal internship programs that connect students with industry partners and work closely with companies to ensure that students are selected for internships.

The Corporate Resource Centre (CRC) department offers tailored support to civil engineering students through resume building, interview preparation, and career counseling. Our Institute regularly also organizes job fairs and networking events where students can interact with potential employers and learn about job opportunities. We continuously leverage the department's alumni network to create mentorship opportunities and facilitate connections between current students and graduates working in the industry.

Can you share your vision for the Civil Engineering Department in terms of growth and development over the next 5 years?

Our vision for the Civil Engineering department in terms of growth and development over the next five years is to become a recognized leader in civil engineering education, offering a cutting-edge curriculum that equips students with a strong foundation in core principles, while incorporating emerging technologies and sustainable practices. We want to foster a vibrant research culture that encourages faculty and students to engage in impactful research projects addressing global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and infrastructure resilience.

We want to continue to invest in modern laboratories, computational resources, and research facilities to facilitate hands-on learning experiences and cutting-edge research initiatives. Moreover, we will continue to strive to achieve high graduation rates and job placement rates, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for successful careers in diverse civil engineering fields. Incorporating sustainability principles across the curriculum, emphasizing eco-friendly design, and creating an inclusive and diverse environment that celebrates and respects individuals from all backgrounds are also important to us.

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What initiatives would you introduce to encourage and support students in pursuing extracurricular engineering projects and inter college competitions?

To encourage and support students in pursuing extracurricular engineering projects and inter-college competitions, the Civil Engineering Department has established and supports student-led engineering clubs (Megabuild Society) focused on various sub-disciplines within civil engineering, such as structural engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering, etc. This club provides a platform for students to collaborate on projects and competitions.

We assign faculty mentors to student teams involved in extracurricular projects and competitions. Faculty members also provide guidance, technical expertise, and oversight throughout the project's duration. Students are provided small grants or seed funding to student teams for their projects and competitions through various Government schemes. We also encourage interdisciplinary collaboration by allowing students from different engineering disciplines and other departments to form teams and work together on projects.

What measures would you take to assess and improve the overall academic performance of the Civil Engineering Department?

To assess and improve the overall academic performance of the Civil Engineering Department, we have academic performance assessments done regularly and students with exceptional academic performance are rewarded. ITS Engineering College conducts periodic reviews of the curriculum to ensure its relevance, alignment with industry needs, and incorporation of the latest advancements in the field. We seek feedback from faculty, students, and industry partners to identify areas for improvement. Our Institute continuously invests in faculty development programs to enhance teaching methodologies, research capabilities, and professional skills. 

The college provides excellent student support services, such as academic advising, tutoring, and counseling. Benchmarking the department's performance against other reputable civil engineering programmes helps us identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement. We also participate in accreditation reviews by relevant accrediting bodies such as the NAAC and NBA.