Dr. Vishnu Sharma is currently a Professor and Dean in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at I.T.S Engineering College. He has over 26 years of experience in academia, research, professional training and administration. He completed his B.Tech., M.Tech. and PhD from MITS, Gwalior. His areas of research and interest are Wireless Networks, Data Science, Computer Vision and Deep Learning.

In addition to organising numerous IEEE international conferences under the IEEE UP section, Dr. Sharma has twelve patents, three books, five book chapters and more than a hundred research papers published in reputed SCI/SCOPUS journals and international conferences. He is the editor of ten IEEE Conference Proceedings and has supervised the PhDs of eight researchers. He has taught at a number of well-known Engineering schools and institutions, including Galgotias University, KIET, Galgotias College of Engineering & Technology, and Jaypee University. Dr. Vishnu has a passion for organising various technical events, such as international hackathons and FDPs. He has also applied for FDPs under the AICTE ATAL and VAANI schemes.

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What do you see as ITS Engineering's greatest strengths?

Our extensive and industry-aligned curriculum equips students with both academic knowledge and practical skills to prepare them for the engineering profession, which is one of the biggest assets of the college. Academic excellence is achieved through highly qualified and competent faculty members. The state-of-the-art infrastructure of the college, including well-equipped laboratories and skill enhancement centres that include Apple iOS, AWS Academy, CISCO, and SALT labs offers an environment conducive to hands-on learning and innovation. Through the DST-recognised New Generation Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (New Gen IEDC), faculties and students are nurturing a culture of research and innovation. Additionally, the college focuses on holistic development through various extracurricular activities, clubs, and societies, nurturing leadership and teamwork skills, making ITS Engineering College a distinguished institution for engineering education.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see, both for higher education in general and for ITS Engineering specifically?

Major challenges for higher education, in general, are to be relevant amidst technological changes and meet the requirements of ever-changing demands in jobs and placements. This necessitates continuous curriculum updates, incorporation of contemporary teaching methodologies and bridging gaps with industry. For ITS Engineering College, these challenges have been largely overcome by providing state-of-the-art facilities, and modern laboratories with the latest computer systems skill enhancement centres. We also have strong industry partnerships in ITS Engineering College to provide practical training and employment opportunities that help overcome another challenge for placement in the current scenario.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

For youth and aspiring students, a diversified approach is necessary to handle the difficulties of today's world. Accept lifelong learning, adjust to adversity, and brush up on a variety of talent and technical skills. Establish attainable goals for yourself, and work on your soft and academic abilities. To develop the necessary confidence and interpersonal skills, students should be encouraged to participate in various technical events. For assistance and opportunity, cultivate a strong professional network.

How does the curriculum of your department/college ensure the best practice of the industry? 

The department of Computer Science and Engineering's curriculum combines cutting-edge education on contemporary topics with a practical approach, projects, and industry internships. It is updated often by the university to consider the most recent developments in technology, guaranteeing that students are knowledgeable about modern subjects like cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning. The curriculum is continuously monitored with input from companies, alumni, faculty members and even students, ensuring that it continues to be relevant and beneficial in preparing students for successful employment.

How does the department enhance the skills of the faculty and prepares them according to the industry standards? 

The department of computer science and engineering encourages faculty members to attend faculty development programs, industrial interaction, and continuous learning to improve their abilities and prepare them per industry norms. We foster a healthy and cooperative environment for faculties to take additional courses in developing technologies, earning certificates, and attending seminars. Faculty members are encouraged to engage in research activities involving publishing research papers and patents, which guarantees them to be up to date on the newest developments. Furthermore, the department fosters a culture of mentorship and peer learning that encourages the exchange of creative teaching approaches to guide students in publishing research articles.

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With the competition so high, how do you guide your students to survive in such a competitive scenario?

Our institute cultivates relationships with core technical companies to provide internships, collaborative projects, and hands-on learning opportunities, guaranteeing that students acquire real-world experience and employability-relevant skills. Also, an innovation centre has already been established on campus to support student-led initiatives, assist with business ventures, and promote practical experimentation. Industry professionals are invited to speak or conduct workshops, giving students exposure to the latest technological advancements. We also provide sources for focused certification courses.

What are some plans that you’re currently (or will be) designing for ITS Engineering students?

We are focusing on several innovative plans to enhance the technical skills of Computer Engineering students that aim at emerging technologies and interdisciplinary learning. Considering the booming fields of AI and robotics, incorporating more coursework and projects in these areas would be valuable. Encouraging student participation in hackathons or open-source projects would further refine their practical skills and expose them to cutting-edge technologies. The department is also organising international hackathons, which will help students to grill their minds and present innovative ideas and conferences to encourage participation of both students and faculty members. 

How do you tend to establish a healthy relationship and environment in your institute/ university?

Our educational institution cultivates a culture of inclusivity, cooperation, and support among its faculty members, staff, and students to establish a healthy relationship and atmosphere. Our institute promotes total well-being through a range of wellness initiatives, such as sports activities, stress management workshops, and mental health services. The Internal Complaint Committee allows female faculties to discuss and report any problems at the workplace and the institute ensures that appropriate measures are taken. Through group projects, study groups, and interdisciplinary research efforts, we promote a collaborative learning environment in the classroom. 

What do you see the department’s/ college’s greatest strengths and how it can be enhanced?

Our department's strongest point is its faculty expertise, curriculum focus, and dedication to incorporating industry collaboration, real-world experience, and state-of-the-art research into the curriculum. The student-centric teaching learning approach that our faculty members bring to the classroom enhances the overall learning process. We will increase our industry collaborations and offer more co-ops, internships, and possibilities for joint research to further amplify these capabilities. The department is enhancing its offerings by fostering stronger industry connections, which involve conducting guest lectures from industry professionals, collaborative projects with tech companies, internship opportunities that provide students with valuable practical experience and sound placement activities offering lucrative jobs.

What valuable advice would you like to the students for them to have a prosperous career ahead?

With technology advancing at a fast pace, students who want to pursue a lucrative career in computer engineering should adopt an attitude of constant learning and flexibility. Master the core computer science and engineering principles, do certifications, and stay proactive and inquisitive about the latest developments in industry trends and emerging technology. Contribute to open-source projects, participate in hackathons, or pursue internships that provide real-world experience. By combining a solid theoretical foundation with a passion for continuous learning and practical application, students should be well-positioned for a successful and rewarding career.