The Higher Education Review

Established in Hyderabad, a major city for the technology industry, the KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology is an institute set up with the vision `to become self-sustainable institution which is recognized for its new age engineering through innovative teaching and learning culture, inculcating research and entrepreneurial ecosystem, and sustainable social impact in the community'. A name which emphasizes on practical approach to impart quality education, KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology continuously strives to impart research and development and entrepreneurship education amongst the young learners of the society.

With the tagline of `New Age Engineering', KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology offers undergraduate and post-graduate programs that are supported through industry relevant curriculum and innovative teaching and learning processes that would help students succeed in their professional careers. Standing by its motto in terms of all the activities in the college campus, the college is also playing a pivotal part in understanding how technology plays a role in community development and how they can address the community-based problems that can be solved through technological solutions.

"High emphasis on theoretical learning and change in outdated curriculum are key concerns that impact the higher education sector today. While some alterations have been made with the introduction of new courses, we follow the curriculum of JNTU Hyderabad and allow upto 420 students to join the undergraduate programs in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science Engineering, Computer Science Engineering on Data Science, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electrical Electronics and Communication Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

We also offer post-graduation in Management and Humanities & Science," highlights Dr. Rohit Kandakatla, Director for Operations and Human Resource Development, KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology. With a whopping list of 120 faculty members, the college boasts of a 1:15 faculty-student ratio of (as recommended by AICTE), with each faculty member holding an experience of not less than 5-10 years.

Implementing Blended Learning as a Part of Curriculum
Today, most students end up opting for engineering courses without understanding the `WHY' and `HOW' of engineering. In context to this, KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology is focusing in comprehensive theoretical and practical learning. The institute ensures students work on difficult problems in labs and implement experiential learning right from the first-year on assigned projects. The students are given hands-on projects' experience through MoUs with industries, also with most of the MoUs, students get industrial training on relevant courses.

“With the tagline of `New Age Engineering', KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology offers undergraduate and post-graduate programs that are supported through industry relevant curriculum and innovative teaching and learning processes”

Undoubtedly, the students at KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology have their doors open to opportunities in terms of innovation and implementation as parts of experiential engineering learning. They get varied options to work on extra-curricular and co-curricular activities with respect to innovations in teaching and learning. KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology has a technology club in the institution that vests its focus on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Blockchain, Internet of Things, and 3D Printing. These clubs are administrated by students and mentors from outside the perimeter.

Students also organize and participate in Hackathons and learn about emerging technologies. There is also a centre for engineering education development driven by a few of the faculties that are experts in making teaching-learning process innovative. KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology also regularly conducts faculty programs and modern methods like active learning, blended learning, collaborative learning, and the traditional inside the classroom learnings.

Currently accredited by MAC, the institute is also applying for NBA accreditation which will make KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology an autonomous institute, giving it the flexibility to change the curriculum.

Placements and the Road Ahead
KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology provides internships and specially designed industrial trainings before the students step into the corporate sector. The collaborated industries in and around Hyderabad help in internships from the first year where the students are motivated to learn the industry work culture and understand how to function after joining the industry. Industry relevant courses, Logical Building Skills, English and Communication Skills enhancement are added to the training program. "Last year, we had a mobile training company and all the students got chance to apply for jobs. Almost 90 percent of the students were eligible for placements in companies like ThinkClear, Genpact, Cognizant, Byjus, Infosys, TCS, N Quantum, Mindlance Solutions, DOS and other MNCs/Core companies. Last year, 10 lpa was offered by Byjus and Lead and Learn", shares Dr. Rohit.

A good amount of emphasis is laid on entrepreneurship and innovation. The college has innovation council and business incubator which fosters entrepreneurial activities. The entrepreneurial development cell regularly conducts workshops, mainly in-line with the institute innovation cell. They come up with a good product and conduct workshops to help students understand the fundamentals of the products. Developing business structure is another part of it. The technology incubator we have helps students with startup opportunities. Interested students get access to incubators to launch startups during their fourth year", explains Dr. Rohit.

Today, with most of the courses available online along with face-to-face combinations, the institute is successfully fighting the gap in education due to the Covid19 pandemic. "We believe that e-learning will become most popular in these times of COVID-19 pandemic as lots of learning is happening online. Students are also getting a lot of opportunities to work on extra and co-curricular activities", adds Dr. Rohit Kandakatla. He further says, "I would like to say, when the students come first, they are stake holders and it is our responsibility to make the students' and parents' (who give the best years of their lives) experience as memorable as possible," concludes Dr. Rohit.

Dr. Rohit Kandakatla, Director ­ Operations and Human Resource Development
Dr. Rohit has Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Purdue University. His research is focused in engineering education, faculty development, service learning, and education policy. He is associated with KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology for the last five years as an academic coordinator and later completed Ph.D. in sabbatical.