Good day, Dr. Shashi Kumar C. I'm Arjun. I've had a look through your background and your professional record. I'm interested in hearing more about your work and how you see yourself fitting in here with our faculty. Ready to start?

A pH in School of Agron role technology from IIT Guwahati specialized in the food and uh processing and disinfectation of the milled rice to improve the itself life quality and to maintain the organic status for the supply chain management. And also I hold a degree in in Mtech input process engineering Nat Rourkela and a BTEC in forces and technology from University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka. Additionally, I have a industrial and research experience. I have worked as a quality executive at in the.

Hello, good morning. I'm Doctor Shashi Kumar C, currently working as Assistant Professor in Karuna Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and I hold a degree in.

But Max hypermarket India Private limited Bangalore followed by followed by Jeff in JF in and and SRF at and if Thanjavuru after the Mtech degree program. Additionally, I have a industry I have more interested in the focus on the.

Research in the postal processing and value addition improve the surface of the militarized variety and also specialty foods with the non chemical technology methods.

Thank you, Professor Shashi Kumar, for sharing that comprehensive introduction about your academic and professional journey. To begin, I'd like to focus on verifying your expertise and experience in the relevant areas. Let’s proceed step by step. Starting with your expertise in food science and technology—could you describe how your Ph.D. research contributed to advancements or innovation in this field?

Of course, thank you for asking my question. So in my during my PhD, I was developed a technology for disinfectation and packaging strategy to improve the self life of the milled facility rights variety suitable for the organic certifications in the. In this case, we have selected the four different traditional indigenous rice variety particularly. It's also known as specialized varieties grown in Northeast region Assam that has such as black rice, soft rice and Johor rice sticker rice. It has a unique.

Physiochemical nutrition property and also it also having a GI tag, however this rises having a low self-life quality due to the.

Organic cultivation and also traditional method of cultivations and also it does not use a pesticides. So for this reason, we need to develop a particular packaging and storage charges to improve the selfless quality For this For this purpose, we have developed a micro disinfectations and bioinfection technology to reduce the insert and fungal contamination and also and develop the and we develop the packaging strategies to improve the self-life by modifying the atmospheric air compost inside the packaging systems in the In this research, we have.

With the four bug system and four small pack system, under the bulk packaging system, we have included the SDV modified container, HDB control, HTTP container and also PPP and rigid packaging systems. We studied among this Http://modified container and also registered packaging system given a best packaging, best shelf life to maintaining the its nutrition, quality and also its buyer to properties compared to the PP bag and also HTTP control.

Also in the coming to the small package systems, we are studying the four table small package system. 1 is vacuum packaging, 1 is PP back with the moisture of the room, 1 is PP back with the micro data trace. One PB bag with the control among this vacuum packaging and the micro tutor bag packaging systems giving the better surface than the other packaging system, followed by maintaining maintaining the 10.

Month self life to preventing the UH microbial contamination and insect infestation, and also to its uh enhancing its nutrition quality for the uh for the selling purpose.

Your Ph.D. research clearly demonstrates a strong focus on solving real-world challenges in food science, specifically in the area of shelf-life management of indigenous rice varieties. The integration of advanced micro-disinfestation techniques, bio-infection controls, and atmospheric modifications in packaging is innovative and highly impactful for maintaining nutritional quality and organic certification. Moving forward, could you explain how you've applied this expertise during your teaching or collaborative projects, especially in terms of guiding student projects or advancing research in these areas?

Yes, of course, during my PhD period so I was guiding under my lab various different bid tech and M tech projects by helping them to.

Creating their objectives and conducting the experiment by various technology. For example, new product development for the black rice, it's included by the by active and pharmaceutical benefit point of view. It is containing the high amount of anthraxin and pigment. It has to improve the health benefits such as reducing the cholesterol level and improving the heart, improving the heart heart rate and also and also it's also improved the nutrition quality of the rice and mineral content in the rice for for this by by this conducting the by helping the research also.

The students and also during my PhD period also I worked as a teaching assistantship at central instead of UH central Instrument facility IIT, Guwahati. I was expertise in the DSC instrument by by analysis of the various various samples for for a period of three for a period of three years. It is included in the part of my research part of my research period for three years. In this period, I was gained the experience in handling of DSU instrument and various samples and also recently I was joined as a assistant professor.

Coronation of technology under me. So there are four students are working as a Mtech, Mtech and Mtech and MSC students. For them I'm guiding the various project that is first two students under the MSC category. So I was getting a 2 project. 1 is effect of nutrition quantity, nutrition quality and the bioactive components and the cuckoo rice variety and thus another student also working on the effect of extraction and optimizational starch in the various. Various methods and chemical method technology and thus another project I also guiding on.

Extension optimization of Antoinette pigment, uh, by the black race or brown race varieties. And that's another project. Also I'm, I'm guiding on the development of a new product such as, uh, extrusion based product. It's included by the pasta based on the Millet based products. By conducting the various projects and helping the students, I'm a expertise in the handling the various different project, like for example, tech and Britta, as well as I'm also worked as a JRF during, after the, my Mtech period. So I worked as a JRF in the.

And also I what could I say fellow at Niftam Tanjore by conducting the various experiment on field bulk storage of Paddy. So through this knowledge I have a gained expertise in the posters, processing and handling, food quality, testing and packaging and also mission designing. So through this period during my Btech and empty period I was going to vast experience I can able to guide the different kinds of students in the different level. So this is my experience.

Design development of test.

Yes, of course, this is a wonderful questions. I was again expertise in the during my PhD period, I also conducting the lab during because my PhD supervisor is helping to conduct the various unit operation for process engineering by conducting A biological sample analysis such as physical chemical biometrics and chemical analysis and also surface study of the various food products. So I have gained expertise in doing the MYPH build and also recently from the June July 10th, 2025, I was joined as assistant professor for Assistant Professor Karnash of technology I was.

Thank you, Professor Shashi Kumar. It's evident that your experience in guiding student projects, along with your expertise in post-harvest processing, packaging, and nutrition analysis, spans various domains within food science and technology. Your mentorship of students at both M.Tech. and M.Sc. levels, as well as your hands-on involvement with advanced instruments like the DSC, showcases your ability to connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Now let's delve into your ability to teach and communicate effectively. How do you typically design and deliver theory and laboratory courses to ensure that students grasp complex concepts effectively?

UH teaching is the three subject major three subject first one is included in the instrumental analysis for the instrumental method analysis of the food sample as a course for 3/3 hour theory and conducting as a 2 hour practical classes in the exam for the MSC student. And also I was involved in the process economics and plant labor design for the BTEC 4th year students by guy handling the courses by organizing the Inuit wise subject and also conducting the practicals and exam and test. And also I was also involved in the conduct in the food. Left for the British students and also food attitude laughs for the British students and also I'm building the various manuals and record books for the content in the very content lab and excrement and also guiding. I'm also demonstrating the lab experiment along with the classes by not only during theory, I'm also conducting the within theory plus outcome based research means I'm also giving the real best stories and example for the for to understand the concept for the students and also giving the practical experience and also giving assignments.

Problem solving in the classes it also helps to student to analyze more and also I'm also using advanced tools for the way teaching methods. For example, showing the advanced animation videos are something expertise videos for the classes for required. For example, analysis of the data instrument are the chromatography, spectroscopy or conservative analysis are also titration methods. We are going to use so various advanced methods and tools and also using some demonstration of the physical demonstrations and also giving the problems solving the problem solving the classes and.

In the interact positions and also conduct assignments and also I also involved in these courses. I'm also taking my students for industrial visit for the various industries. For example, I have last year, I have taken my students to invest the perfect naturals to know the various postal processing of handling of the spices as well as the coffee processing and unit. And also it tells the students analyze the L2 in the building of the carrier of the Bitex and Ms. students.

Yes, specifically student evaluations, if you come evaluations in this evolutions how we are conducting in under ICI system, it's it's considered the mid SIM and end SIM exams. So in this by conducting the various unit teaching methods and also it is also involved by the internal exam and external exam and rise their category. Coming to the if you come to the under UCC UGC guidelines, we also conducting the exams like these three interns first is first interns, second entrance, third internal and also ends an exam and also in before ends up we have kind of. First internal is it is contained the MC questions questions based on the 1st 2 units. It is consistent of 40 questions for multiple choice questions and also to for students. We are placing the approximately 2025 exactly 25 questions for the first internal exams. It is randomly taking the questions in the online system to to check the student ability and capacity of the exam in first intern. Coming to the second internal. Second internal consider of the exam of 40 marks exams, it is contained in the around 1 marks questions and two marks question and also as well as 7 marks questions.

Thank you, Professor Shashi Kumar. Your approach to teaching, which integrates theoretical concepts with practical applications, industry visits, and innovative tools like animations and advanced instruments, clearly demonstrates your commitment to providing a comprehensive learning experience. Your emphasis on problem-solving, interactive sessions, and real-world scenarios is particularly commendable as it engages students and fosters deeper understanding. Let’s pivot to another critical area. Could you elaborate on your experience with student evaluations and exam duties?

Discontentings from this students can able to we can able to get the student how the capability of able to answer the question based on the theory and as a practical exams and as a fourth internal 4th interest is third interest coming coming based on the project based or some the experiment based research based we're going to conduct coming to the 4th practical. We're going to conduct based on the theory and the practical exam. Also we conducting the practical exams and also we also consider the ends and exam. It is instead of under marks exam. It's also considered components of the both the area and lab.

Team uh, syllabus, including of the four internals uh, of 6 unit models for the internal exams and also practical syllabus was included in the end SIM exam. By this, we can evaluate the both uh internal and external, uh, both internal students by conducting the practical exam and internal exams and also external exams we can conduct by this, we can.

Evaluate the student capability of able to complete the syllabus, complete the exam or not? Are able to complete the cell course or not, we can able to check the students.

Thank you for the detailed explanation, Professor Shashi Kumar. Your systematic approach to student evaluations, which incorporates multiple internal assessments, theory exams, practical exams, and even project-based evaluations, illustrates a well-rounded understanding of gauging student performance. Ensuring alignment with regulatory standards like those from UGC adds further rigor to the process. Now, let us explore your experience with research publications. Could you elaborate on your significant research publications, particularly those in reputed journals, and their impact on the field of food science and technology?

Yes, IT research is one of the most interesting area of my field. I was particularly did my Mtech by if I come to my Mtech Mtech from the starting of Mtech and PhD, I was publishing numerous publications. Particularly I was published a paper in the foot process engineering general village. It is around 2.8. In fact, factor design, development of Salsey decodicator and also coming to my second publications exploration of salseed in in terms of physical, chemical, nutritional quality, a cogent and cogent Food and Agriculture.

In the general, it is having impact factor of about about 3.5 about sorry about about 2.5 and also coming to third general also I was published in the Journal of Institute of Engineering, Springer that is study of engineering properties of the Mahua seat with respect to the instrumentation, packaging, storage. Coming to the my PhD topics, I also published various topics in the Journal of the Stored food product and research that is development of disinfection packaging, development of disinfectation method and packaging for the. Specialized varieties to reduce the insect and fungal contamination using the various micro and bioinsurrected technologies technology.

And also I also published a research on the Journal of special research by development of the biased site to reduce the insect infrastructure storage technology. And also under my PhD period, I also filed a patent in the in the topic of development of distinction packaging strategy technology using the micro device. In this my PhD period, I was developed the micro instrument for the disinformation of the grains and also as well as the floors. So we are under the filing under for patents and also I.

The paper in the various that is journal of and recently I was submitted journal in the Food Processing Technology journal and AFSA journals. These are the journals we help to recovery of my understanding of my research.

Yes, I was very interested in the industry collaboration. Without industrial collaboration research is incomplete. So by this considering this research in my during my PhD periods, I was I was developed the technology for a disinfectation packaging strategy for improving the setup of military where it is. We are developing the non DC technology by using the micro technology and by as well as Bion site-to-side as far as repellents. And also we are collaborating the nasty rice mill industry for the packaging and distinct fish of the particularly organic good rice varieties. And also recently I was.

It is clear that your research publications and contributions in reputed journals address critical challenges in food science and technology, particularly in post-harvest processing, insect and fungal contamination mitigation, and packaging innovations. The variety and quality of your research, complemented by filing patents, underline your active role in advancing the field. Lastly, I’d like to touch on your ability to collaborate with industries and your experience with consultancy or industry-focused projects. Could you provide examples of significant industry projects or consultancy engagements you've been involved in and how they have shaped your academic pursuits?

Millet based and pasta and noodles to enhancing its nutrition quality and storage stability. As conducted and also after my BTE Btech, I was also working industry as a quality executive Maximum Private Limited. In the During this period, I also worked on technology for development of to enhance the self life of the especially fruits especially banana to reduce the ripening by by using the ethylene scavenger packaging systems. And also I'm trying to collaborate with the various research industry to improve the especially rice based industry or grain based industry to enhance its packaging and storage stability and also improve nutrition quality of the rice. And also as much as possible develop the low cost technology to provide the affordable reserve cost to the consumers and the farmers. And also we're trying to export our Indian product to the foreign countries by maintaining the organic status and improving the nutrition quality of the rice by using the various.

Involved in the consultancy project in the development of.

Actually develop technology and also we are going to integrate technology we're going to adapt by the research by collaborative in the industry. It helps to develop industrial collaborations and also enhance the our funding and also develop the department as of institution by collaborating industry by getting the funding and also it has to student project as well as and also it's also helps you by by collaborating industry experiment real-time problems solving by not only limited to the technologies for lab oriented and also we are.

Closing Andhra by Innis collaboration translucent technology to industry and also rural level and the farmers level to getting the benefit in this with respect to the posterous processing of the grains and disinfectation and packaging storage and also new product development and also speciality foods particularly grown in the region oriented and also Jtech products to improve this self-life quality and packaging life through the various methods and technology developed by the various researchers.

Yes, I as opposed to add, this is one of the dream institution for VIT for working as after my PhD completion degree. So I'm getting opportunities for the for for the AM mode interest. I'm very thankful to the A and also very thankful to the institution giving the opportunity for interaction of the A mode. It is one of the industry experience. I believe VIT has to involve in the various collaborative research. For that reason, I'm eager to work on this research institutions and also guide in the various students and developing the academic academic career and.

Thank you, Professor Shashi Kumar. Your extensive involvement in industry collaborations speaks volumes about your ability to bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications. Your work with organic rice varieties, millet-based pasta innovations, and low-cost packaging technologies demonstrates a commendable effort to create impactful solutions for both industry and rural communities, while also maintaining a focus on student engagement and institutional development. Having covered all aspects of your academic, research, teaching, and consultancy experience, I have no further questions at this stage. Would you like to add anything else, or shall we conclude?

So moderate students and also conducting the various libraries conference in the event. But through by through my expertise and knowledge by teaching methods and also collaborating with the various industries. It's also one of the best place to work, work and start my careers. It's also helped to build careers. I'm very thankful to the AIT value.

Thank you, Professor Shashi Kumar. Your enthusiasm for contributing to a collaborative research environment and mentoring students is evident, and your aspirations align well with the goals of an academic institution passionate about innovation and education. I appreciate the time and effort you've put into sharing your expertise and experience in detail. If you're ready to conclude, please confirm, and I'll formally wrap up the session.

Yes, we can conclude. Thank you so much.