Good day, Dr. Sourabh Shukla. 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?

Please start by introducing your professional journey in academia.

Hello.

Hello, Professor. Please share your professional journey in academia.

Academia.

Yes, uh.

Hello.

Yes.

Yes. Will you please pardon, please. Will you please repeat your question?

Certainly, Professor. Could you briefly share your professional journey in academia?

OK, basically I have completed my PhD from VNIT Nagpur and from there on I joined this Ghri Soni College of Engineering, Nagpur as an Assistant professor. I completed my seven years of academic experience in this college and I have handled some important portfolio also. Likewise as an associate Dean I am handling now. Industry Institute. Interaction Cell.

That is related with the internship itself. Uh, I handled class teacher, I was class teacher, uh, and timetable in charge exam cell. So I have handled certain, uh, departmental portfolio as well as administrative portfolio. So I'm well experienced regarding this.

I have published around 25 papers, research paper, including Sci. You can see that around 17 to 18 Scis and five to six or seven to 10 Scopus journal in this tenure, in this tenure of this organization from 2019 to 2025. So this is my academic experience. I have taught material science, I have taught.

I try to include students for the participation in the research process.

Manufacturing process and also I have participated I.

Thank you for sharing, Professor. Impressive credentials and contributions.

Think.

Of course, Professor Shukla. Let us proceed. Could you describe your expertise in the areas of chemical engineering, materials science, or electrochemistry, focusing on how your research and teaching experience align with the requirements of this role?

OK, first I'll start from my field. Uh, I completed my Mtech as well as PhD in electrochemistry. Uh, I participate, I, I try to research in, uh, electrochemistry in the field of steel industry. I have done my Mtech in the rexallization and recovery of stainless steel and did research on the basis of corrosion process. So, uh, for example, I have. Tried to do research in electrochemistry process in the.

Austenitic stainless steel in PhD also I continued my research process, continued my research in the topic of electrochemistry, material science that is for example my topic was effect of cold work welding in the steel still with respect to corrosion process. So in electrochemistry I know I have the knowledge of. Degree of sensitization potential state equipment also I have the knowledge electrochemistry, aided work and.

How deformation process affects the sensitization or corrosion?

Effect on the stainless steel that is what I have done with respect to this corrosion process. Also in during teaching experience I have taught material science where I try to teach the student regarding the process of deformation, regarding the process of material behavior and also electrochemistry that how how.

That layer of passive layer protects the stainless steel with respect to.

Environmental corrosion. So yes, I have the knowledge and, and that is why and that is why I am well suited for this position because I, I did experience, I have the experience around 10 years with respect to this electrochemistry knowledge. You can see there. So from past 10 to 11 years I have, I have, I am continuously doing.

The work based on the electrochemistry or based on the corrosion process, basically corrosion process. I am expertizing the corrosion process of the welding material of the deformed material.

With respect to stainless steel?

Thank you, Professor Shukla, for sharing your extensive background in electrochemistry and materials science, specifically regarding corrosion processes in stainless steels. Could you elaborate on how your research findings might translate into practical applications, particularly in industry collaborations or consultancy within similar domains?

OK, so. There are various problems which occur during, during the fracture of the material. For example, if any industry have the, uh, have the, if industry product produce the valve, you know, or valve or, or basically any component related to the stainless steel. If there is a main issue will occur based on the crack, based on the uh, corrosion process. Uh, for example, if is there any crack in the wall process in valve?

We can do the coating. First thing is the coating tool is very highly demanded. But but if if we can correct this process or we can correct these crack or we can correct this crack which occurred due to due to the corrosion which occurred due to the rusting. So this crack we can handle through the deformation process through the Thermo mechanical process which I have studied during my PhD what we did in the during thermomechanical process. The main thing is that it will that the.

So, uh.

Size varies, and with the help of grain size it will. It will convert into the smaller, uh, grain size and it will. Increase the density of the material. Increase the density means it will reduce the void and it will provide the more strength to the material and that is how we can reduce the crack. We can reduce the crack propagation or we can reduce the intergranular or transgranular corrosion which mostly occurs during the rusting of the material. Any material you can say that welded material or it can be.

It can be valve, it can where where is the where is the chance of corrosion we can reduce.

So basically industry collaboration, of course there are many industry which have the problem related to this corrosion and and there is a very chance, there is a very high chance to collaborate with the industry to solve this problem. And for that we need to collaborate with the various natives colleges, it colleges which I have the collaboration already. So it will definitely.

Through this Thermo mechanical process, which is going to be very, uh, in highly demand process.

Going to be advantage for the institute as well As for me to grow, to grow my collaboration, to grow my knowledge regarding this and as well as to increase your collaboration with the various institutes or various industries related to this issue.

It's mostly occurred due to the electrochemistry.

Thank you.

OK, basically I tried to teach these students through the research work because because they will understand the practical knowledge, theoretical knowledge. Of course they will understand from the book but but but we need to teach them according according to the research paper also. So accordingly I can I try to teach them through papers through research paper so that they can understand the effect of their.

You're welcome, Professor Shukla. Let's proceed. Could you share how you approach teaching, particularly theory and laboratory courses, in ways that ensure students grasp both foundational concepts and practical applications effectively?

Check on the practical application. That is the main thing which I try to teach them.

That makes sense, Professor Shukla. When you teach using research papers, how do you ensure that students with diverse backgrounds or varying levels of expertise can fully comprehend the concepts and connect them with practical applications?

Yes, we have the library also. So first I tried to introduce them what what are the research papers like? Because I have trained some my students also related to this research work and I try to teach them recording according to accordingly to this they definitely understand there there are various labs also. So through lab also they can.

Do the experimentation work and accordingly they will handle these things?

Understood, Professor Shukla. Incorporating research papers and laboratory experiences appears to be a balanced way of ensuring theoretical and practical understanding. How do you evaluate the effectiveness of your teaching approach, particularly in terms of student outcomes or engagement?

OK, basically, uh.

We took feedback. Basically first process the feedback, second is the.

The result that how much they are understanding for example from the viable or from the test they I I will understand the outcomes. Basically feedback also is the process but.

Through feedback it is not a few 100% confirmation that they they will definitely understand my teaching. But in feedback there are various factor also which consider which we can consider. Second is the mainly the outcomes in terms of result, outcome in terms of Viva. I will definitely try to understand that the how they are approaching their study or how they are approaching my lecture.

Thank you for that explanation, Professor Shukla. Feedback combined with measurable outcomes like results and viva performance indeed provides a comprehensive way to evaluate teaching effectiveness. Let us now focus on student evaluation and your approach to examinations. How do you structure assessments to effectively gauge students' understanding and analytical skills in chemical engineering and materials science?

OK, basically I tried to evaluate first from the.

From their ability to learn.

OK, for first, how they are learning or how, uh, during teaching, I tried to ask the student, I tried to discuss with the student that are they are getting what I am teaching? Are they getting or not? First thing is that second, always I try to prefer to take the Viber. I try to prefer to give them the assignment related to do my work related to my teaching subject. And 3rd is the of course, uh, I try to.

Of course, there will be some students which are taking more seriously regarding with my subjects, so I try to engage with them personally and try to try to develop their knowledge regarding my subject with respect to research also because under my guidance there are.

Personally engage with the every student related to my UH teaching. For example, if there are.

10 to 20 undergraduate students who did research and they placed in various industries.

I see, Professor Shukla. Your personalized engagement, along with assignments and viva, certainly emphasizes depth in student evaluation. Could you share an example of how one of your assessments effectively challenged students' analytical thinking or application skills?

I taught, for example, I taught material science, so.

OK, for example.

After total, there are 30 lectures which I have told to the one, uh, related to one subject. Now after that I tried to teach them, uh, one I tried to teach them, uh, yes, after teaching, after 15 to 20 class, I asked them to come to me if they have interest in their subject. So then after that they do research in that subject with me.

For up to one years, six months to one years, OK.

So after that they try to teach me and then.

Sorry, I tried to teach them and then they placed some industry for example.

I give them, I give them experience research regarding the still interesting, so they are placed in the gender that is, that is how they are getting interest.

Thank you, Professor Shukla. Your approach of engaging students in extended research projects after foundational courses demonstrates a commitment to nurturing analytical thinking and practical skills. Let us now discuss your ability to guide student projects and research. Could you describe your approach when mentoring students through complex research challenges?

First of all, I try to ask them to search for work through various.

Literatures, for example, in base of markets or in the base of research literature or past history related to the work that they have to search for that and then come with three topics.

Umm, on that three topic, uh, I will select one.

Or I will ask them which one will you want to do research. After that, if topic is selected, then they have to do experimental work. OK. And then they have to after experimental there if the result is done, if the result is OK, then they will go ahead with the research writing, research writing. And after that they will have to do thesis work. So basically in this process of one year, in the process of guiding one year, they will definitely work based on the industry. Collaboration, they will. Go to the industry, they will.

You search for the work, search for the selection of work. Given selection, it will mainly done four to five months. OK.

Thank you, Professor Shukla. Your structured process from topic selection to experimental work and thesis writing shows a clear mentorship strategy. How do you handle situations where students face significant roadblocks in their experiments or struggle with the progression of their research?

OK so basically I tried to ask them first. First the first is the process that they have to search by themselves also and 2nd is the that they have to go to various industry to search for the issue which they which they are facing. Of course various industry guy will guide them and I have the contact. OK then second thing is that I.

Guide them through the work, through my experience, through my collaboration with the various professor from Vnits or from IIT. So definitely from this collaborative work, I will they, they get the, they get, they get the.

Solution to remove that whole block definitely.

Understood, Professor Shukla. Collaborating with industry and academic networks, coupled with encouraging independent exploration, indeed provides a robust support system for students facing research hurdles. Let us shift focus now to your communication and teaching approach. How do you ensure clarity and engagement when explaining complex topics to your students?

First of all, communication between me and all my students. First thing is that OK, continuously I'm approaching to the students regarding the work. Accordingly I'm approaching regarding this work, OK. And then second thing is that how much, how much we are getting interest in that subject. And of course my senior student, we can as as a teacher, I can understand that, that, that are they are getting interested or not first thing second.

Think I tried to give them example, practical example with the videos. OK, I'm using videos. I'm using, uh, lecture, not by just chalk or pen or the board and trying to educate them through videos also. So that is my approach. So, so that they are getting, uh, interested, OK, They are they so that they can, they can get their subject in terms of story.

He'll get more.

Understand.

Uh, pardon please. Will you please repeat question? Sorry, Sir.

Thank you, Professor Shukla. Using videos and real-world examples to frame complex topics into engaging narratives certainly fosters better understanding among students. Could you provide an example of how you communicated a difficult concept effectively using this method and how the students responded?

OK. For example, there is a deformation how the green changes in the material science, I try to educate them through the green variation how the grain changes. So I try to show them the video regarding the deformation process that plates come between the two rollers and how the green varies and how the grain from circular to convert into elongation process or elongation size, OK, So of course they will ask some question or they will understand. I will ask them that what you have. After the end of lecture I will ask them between 5 minutes. I try to discuss with them that what we.

Certainly, Professor Shukla. Could you share an example where you used videos or practical examples to explain a challenging concept, and describe how your students responded to your approach?

Have thought today if they will get answer or they'll giving answer then of course it will be beneficial. Of course I will understand that they are getting understand regarding this subject.

That is an excellent example, Professor Shukla. Using visual aids like videos to demonstrate grain deformation and then engaging students with follow-up discussions ensures both clarity and interaction. Now, let's discuss your research accomplishments. Could you highlight one of your most impactful publications and its contributions to the field?

Sorry to interrupt, we're down to the last 5 minutes.

Uh, part Sorry Sir, I'm not getting.

I'll rephrase, Professor Shukla. Could you share one of your research publications that you consider most impactful and explain its significance in advancing the field?

OK basically there are my 2 important publication which I have work. First is the that there are two approach where sensitization for example there are two approach for one is I have thermal age or thermomechanical process at 700°C and 2nd paper was thermomechanical process at 900°C. In both in both there are variation in temperature of course 700 and 900 and from both paper we can understand.

There there is a transpose or there is how the corrosion evolved during these two two temperature at 700° is of course material degraded more as compared to 900°. In 900°, we are getting grain refinement which which improves the strength of the material through refinement OK. But in 700°C there is a more integral corrosion occur which affects the material which degrade the material. So in this difference of 200°C there are various changes in the material.

700°C There are very application where material breaks. This is the N 900° temperature showing the solution of that breaking or failure of the material.

Thank you, Professor Shukla. Your comparative studies on sensitization and corrosion at varying temperatures indeed contribute significantly to understanding material behavior and improving its practical applications. Could you also highlight how your industry projects or consultancy experience ties into advancing research or pedagogy in this field?

OK, I don't have any consultancy project but yes I have I did the collaboration with the various industry person and I have this some research paper also regarding this. Basically I have done the failure work.

We are work that how the we are how we can improve the wear resistance of the material with respect to the corrosion resistance also through the deformation Thermo mechanical process. So that that is what I have done with the collaboration with industries based based on the VR process and of course on the VR process I have done and also on the coating process also I have in the coating that how the coating improves the corrosion or electrochemistry of the material.

In the stainless steel.

Thank you, Professor Shukla. Your collaborations with industry to address wear and corrosion resistance, alongside research into coatings, clearly demonstrate a depth of applied research that aligns well with the expectations for this role. I believe we've covered all aspects required. Is there anything else you'd like to add before concluding?

OK. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.

I want to tell you that at the time I want to tell, sorry, I want to tell you that I am best, or I'm the best candidate or the I'm the best.

Faculty for this position, because I have the certain knowledge, I, I have enthusiasm in me, enthusiasm in me regarding the research, because I want to, to do research and that is why I want to join this your institute because you are giving us the opportunity to grow. You are giving us the funding to do research. You are giving us the time to do research and that is why I want to do, I want to join this. Position as a as a researcher.

So thank you for giving me over the day and I will definitely, uh, wait for your response.

Thank.

Thank you, Professor Shukla, for expressing your enthusiasm and commitment to research and academia. I appreciate your insights and the depth of expertise you’ve shared. I wish you the best moving forward in this process. Would you like me to conclude the interview at this point?

Yes, yes, definitely. Thank you, Sir.