Good morning, Sir.

Please start by introducing your professional journey in academia.

Good evening, Professor. I'm Doctor T Gunasekar. Currently working as a professor. In the Department of Mathematics and the NCC officer. At the Welltech Rangarajan Dr. Sagundala R&D Institute of Science and Technology. Chennai since May 2016. I have 17 years of. Teaching, research and academic administrative experience in various institution. I have completed my. PG MPhil. Bearded in mathematics. From innovative Madras, I said go to first class with distinction. Also. I have completed my PhD from Columbia University, Coimbatore and 2014. Mathematics. Also I have completed M tech. Computer Science with the specialization of ER, VR. At Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur. Which has enhanced my explosive to emerging technologies and interdisciplinary applications. Enabling me and apply mathematics in engineering and help students to integrate mathematical construct with. Programming and real world is real world. Problem solving. I have also completed my post doctorate. But. City University, Turkey. With the specialization of. Differential equation, mathematical modeling and artificial neural networks. I'm here. I hope. Basic fundamental knowledge in the level of. Matlab or language SPSS. Sagi met. Sailor and Python. I have published to one party 6 research article in the reported international journals. Also, I have presented 71 articles in the various national international conferences. I have acted as a resource forces in the various. Institutions also. I. Acted as Accenture in the various national international conferences. I have organized more. Conferences. FDP maybe not. Guest Lectures. And so on. I am the reviewer and editor in the reputed international javelins. I'm the JW question paper setter Hindi Hut. National Testing Agency, Noida, Delhi. Also. I have organized more NCC activities like our cadets are participating. National level camps as well as international level camps. And frequently our NCC cadets. Are participating Republic Day camp. And also Marina Liberty game in every years. I'm particularly interesting. In integrating mathematics with data science. Muscle learning. And AI and contributing to research driven applications environment like. VAT. Thank you for the opportunity.

You've had experience teaching across a range of subjects and integrating mathematics with technology. Could you share which foundational mathematics topic you find most effective in sparking student engagement at the undergraduate level?

Differential equations.

Differential equations are.

Thank you, Professor. Reviewing your recent publications, I see several focus on fractional differential equations and their applications in modeling real-world phenomena. Could you describe how you've used your research on fractional differential equations to design or update any laboratory courses or student projects?

Differential equations. Complex analysis. Partial differential equation, Ordinary differential equations, Matrix theory. And also I have handled all the engineering mathematics at B.Tech levels.

Differential equations are certainly foundational. Can you give a concrete example of how you've used differential equations in your teaching to connect abstract theory with a real-world application, perhaps in a data science or AI context?

Understood, Professor. Considering your work with differential equations and matrix theory, how do you ensure students with weaker mathematical backgrounds are able to grasp these advanced topics in your classes?

Yeah, in week. I I have taken I have taken the special care of the student like giving for a simple simple steps. For conducting tutorials and also spend extra time for the slow learners. Then make it to get a good knowledge. For updating themselves. Also I'm taking special care and special classes I'm handling for the slow learners.

That focus on supporting slow learners is important. Could you give a specific example of a project or assessment you've designed that helps students apply mathematical concepts to practical problems?

In in All in all the engineering students. For applying mathematics. Uh, also in I'll, I'll take care of the special care of the students. For example, I'm I'm teaching for derivative. The derivative is nothing but the rate of change, so wherever changes occur. Then we'll say for, for example, we'll the the students are very much interested to drive the bike. So that, that how much, uh. Um, speed they're, they're, they're driving that we can explain for that. Velocity that will be go for DX by DT, the rate of change of the displacement. Also how much they're accelerating. That bike, bike that also we can make it easier. The rate of change of velocity is called acceleration. That also we can say for real life applications of the. In the in the students level, we can safer easily.

That's a clear way to connect theory to daily experience. In your recent publications, you discuss applying artificial neural networks to mathematical modeling; how do you bring these advanced research topics into your undergraduate teaching?

Yeah, in in the mathematical modeling. Begau splittered as a two types 1 is a infected disease, another one is a non infected disease. The infected disease means also. Without disease free. So we can call, we can find for the deceased. This is now nowadays that COVID time for. Uh, we frame the differential equation like suspected people like. Exposure people like. Infected people like recovery people. Like died people that that rate up, how much peoples are infected, how much people are recover, how much peoples are died. Then we can. Through this mathematical model. We can find for a. So listen so how much people it will be infected for or not Reproduction number? Also equilibrium point I have to. Find this table we can use for stability theory. Then we can say for the public. Through our research. How to stable the? This is like.

In mathematical model is nothing but just the. That's the equation. For example, in artificial near and. We're giving for. We applied for the linear algebra statistics and for example we are giving the input as a feature. The future we're giving for the vector, that is a linear algebra concept. They're giving for one single vector. That is, ** is a input vector. Then that input. Third goes to the hidden layer. Here the hidden layer there is a multiple hidden layers are there then multiple hidden layer they are acting for. Like a matrix are used like weight matrix. XW Plus. That algebraic operations and bias included. As well as the digit value we can include for some. Activating function. That that is also mathematics by linear algebra. Also the probability theory. Which which function will be useful that use? Which which activation function will be helpful for this model? Then use for probability theory. That's well less. We can convert that our. Multiple griddle layers are there. After the process we can go for the output. That output also whether output is fit or not, we can use for some activity function and error analysis we had used before. This is very useful for mathematics. This is a. Forward, forward precision method then we can go for again if we deserved again we go for again back back propagation method. So more, more, more time we can doing this method we'll get for accuracy of their model.

Interesting, Professor. How do you assess whether students have truly understood the connection between your research in mathematical modeling and the practical challenges faced in society?

This fully beyond the mathematics only.

That demonstrates a strong integration of theory and application. Before we move on, how do you keep your teaching materials and methods current with rapidly evolving areas like AI in mathematics?

That demonstrates a strong integration of theory and application. Before we move on, how do you keep your teaching materials and methods current with rapidly evolving areas like AI in mathematics?

Yeah, artificial intelligence is nothing but. It is a worst area. So the artificial design contains. Must learning a deep learning. As well as their top signs. So it is combined called as artificial artificial intelligence. So we'll use for the data science fully used for the data, data collections, data explorations, data analysis. And giving the conclusion about the data. As well as the day based on the data we can use for in machine learning. For in the machine learning, suppose the layers are more than two, we can go for deep learning. This concept will be useful for the artificial intelligence.

Thank you for outlining those concepts. Could you describe a specific project or research initiative where you applied artificial intelligence or machine learning to a real-world problem, particularly within the context of mathematics or media?

The artificial intelligence is nothing but. It is like our. Human human what they are thinking that also giving in by by programmer. Programmer will be programmed like like me. The programmer will programmed, then we'll get for. Output as. Giving party A. Like ChatGPT, Google Germany. These are working. Etcetera.

Now, Professor, let’s discuss your research trajectory. Please outline your envisioned three-year research roadmap and explain how it would contribute to VIT University’s mission of academic excellence, with particular focus on impactful publications and interdisciplinary collaborations in your area of specialization.

I am particularly interested in integrating. Mathematics with data science. Muscle learning and artificial intelligence. And the contributing to the. Research driven. Academic environment like. VIT.

Thank you, Professor. In your prior roles, how have you demonstrated the ability to collaborate across disciplines or secure external funding for research initiatives?

Also, I will apply for the funded project. Also, it is a very uh. Very popular institutions and they're having the more infrastructure for improving myself. As well as I can ex. I can exposure my. Knowledge to the students. It is a very big platform for the VIT. For contributing the students as well as the public. Through my research.

Thank you, Professor. What specific strategies would you employ to scale up your lab's research output and citation impact at VIT, given the institution's emphasis on high-impact publications?

Yeah, I have at least 146 research articles. In the first three years, I published over 90 research articles. And that all the articles are up. Applied mathematics value. It is a real life application so I like mathematical modeling, cryptography, differential equations, control theory. This at all will be useful applied mathematics only. And also we can able to apply for the funded project in the various C. Agencies. As well as this will be helpful. For the students for. As as a mathematician. I can uh, give for more clarity to the students. For implementing the mathematics in the programming levels.

Let’s turn to your teaching practice. Suppose you are assigned a large foundational course—say, Engineering Mathematics—where slides and traditional lecturing are discouraged. How would you implement an active learning model, such as a flipped classroom or problem-based approach, to engage all students effectively?

Yeah. I can implement for active learning methods. As well as. A project based delaying. As well as. PBL Learning. Will implement in the student for active to passive. So so many methods are there active learning method like zigzag methods. Like group discussion methods. Like. Zigzag like many methods other we can apply for actively a. Participating, the students listening.

And also give the project for three or four group of members. In the in the current scenario. Also applied the mathematics to the programming. It is also useful for the students. I can guide them.

Let's move on. Accreditation is a key part of academic life at VIT. Suppose your department needed to improve its "research per faculty" metric for an upcoming accreditation review. What systematic steps would you take to help the department achieve this goal?

Let's discuss a scenario involving ethical diplomacy. Imagine you are faced with an allegation that your grading is biased, but the department is also under pressure to maintain a certain pass percentage for accreditation. How would you approach resolving this conflict while upholding academic integrity?

Discuss a scenario involving the ethical company. Yeah, if SF force, if allegations are against and me, I can. Go approach for the positive approach. I can go in the positive manner. I can discuss with the varsity only. I will not react to anything. I will work for the university growth. As well as the students growth. I can I can manage.

Let's discuss industry alignment. What concrete strategies would you use to leverage your professional or research network to create internship or employment opportunities for VIT students?

Yeah, if I get an opportunity. I have a plan I have. Blunt, like, uh. I will publish quality articles. As well as I'm guiding the more research scholars. As well as. The I will guide for the undergraduate project as well as a postgraduation project of the students. As well as I will apply for the funder project as well as I'll go for the industry collaborations. For growth of our students as well as. As well as I collaborate with research with industry people also.

Understood. Now, focusing on your ability to teach theory and laboratory courses: can you describe a time when you adapted complex theoretical content for a practical laboratory session, ensuring students could grasp and apply the theory hands-on?

Yes, Sir. Basically I am from the mathematicians. Recently I have completed M tech computers, M computer facilitation of ER via. So. I have strong background in the mathematics cell at the slice of theory background. And if uh practical background, I have gained the knowledge in Unity. ARVR Lab. As well as Blender. As well as Python. But I can. Before before alerting the subject, I can prepare myself. With the discussion of the various lectures, various senior peoples. Also, I will attend the more FDP in the related areas, then I can explain more deeply to the students. I can improve myself. Through attending the FDPS. Also the V8 is have the stop stop academic stop college they are. They are every every week they are. Giving the talk for recall the previous persons so I can join them also also I'll discuss with the our senior faculty as well as. I can improve myself through online lectures. Then FDP attending. Then I will improve myself, gained knowledge that I will be updated to the students. As well as the theory as well as laboratory courses.

Thank you for sharing your approach. How do you ensure your student evaluation methods are fair and transparent across both theory and lab components?

Yeah, I will be straightforward and fair for the students. Before, uh, before the examinations, I can guide the students. How to perform the examination? What is the examination pattern, rubrics. Everything I can share. And also I will be completing all the syllabus. Syllabus as well as. I'll discuss about the more revision. If the students are required, I can conduct for extra classes. If time is not permit then I can go for online classes also for the extra classes for the student for take care of. But. For getting, uh, good marks in the examinations. Also gained the knowledges. I'm ready to do for anytime 24 into 7. I'll work for the students.

Yeah, that we were questioning itself. I have answered, I can guide so I can guide the student, I can give the direction for the student. Direction means nothing. But So what the students are while entering the research, they don't have much knowledge in research. So I can explain about him for research and also I can tell you about what are the research areas are there. This research area I can tell to the student and also I I can discuss with the student what is their research interested area and my research area, their student research area is coincide. Then I can give the work to the students. I can give the fundamentals. Fundamentals. Uh, topics. Kind of fundamental books to study as well as I'll give for. Fundamental basic papers. And also, uh, meantime we can, uh, go for real life applications. Then after that like we can go for the. Publications.

Understood. Can you give an example of how you have guided student research projects from initial idea to publication or presentation?

I will guide how to how to write the articles. So article means subtitle first. We can write for abstract. Before typing of start first we can create a problem. The problem? What are the problems there? What are the methodologies there? So we can derive based on this derivation. They can apply for abstract. As well as introductions and the. What are the preliminary results are applicable that we can give? Then based on this that any numerical examples are programming. The simulations are graphical representation of our problem. SLS conclusion. Then we go for a. References. What are the references useful for writing this research? I like I can guide the students.

Thanks for explaining your guidance process. How do you structure your communication and teaching approach to ensure clarity and engagement, especially for students with diverse academic backgrounds?

Thanks for explaining your guidance process. How do you structure your communication and teaching approach to ensure clarity and engagement, especially for students with diverse academic backgrounds?

Yeah, that now, nowadays students are. After COVID they poor in academic, but we have to anyway our duty to explain the students. So we can go for very slowly, very slow. By step by step by we can solve. Also we can give for some tutorial problems. Like that then also that students interesting, we can go for some active learning methods, some small, small project, small small applications, we can show to the students some model demonstrations. So based on the student interest, then we can attract the student. After that we can go for. Problem solving techniques for faster slowly slowly explain all the steps, then we can go for the. Remaining topics.

That’s clear—gradual scaffolding can be effective. Can you briefly outline your doctoral research area and how it connects to multimedia or artificial intelligence in media?

Yes. A mind mind research area is a differential equation. And control theory as well as the mathematical modeling cryptography. And these are all the differential equation we can. If this is a plenty of application, the rate of changes, any changes occur, the different link is a place of vital role solving the differential equation we can use for the artificial neural networks. But the artificial neural network is nothing but it is used for machine learning and deep learning. Then this is also that uh. How about AAU only? As well as I'm planning to do for more programming. To apply for our mathematics. In future.

Yeah, one of the bookmark more public more papers that I have published in the. LCB Journal trailer on Francis Journal. SLSS, Fringer, General, the well good, very good publishers I got published in this work. Mainly focused for differential equations. Uh, and also that the different equation with the different legal nothing but, uh, also. Uh, delay differential equation, neutral differential equation control theory. Also, less I the differential equation application is the mathematical modeling. The mathematical modeling of the impacted disk is. That is also we can form a premium mathematical model based on the stages. Combat Mandal. UH-2 combat model SRS three combat, Sir. SCIR like many compartmental model. How many compartment are there? That many system of equations will be applicable solved in the system of equations? Whether this system is existence or not, then we can go for. Using fixed 1 techniques. Exist on any uniqueness as well as the system is stable or not. They can use for stability theory. Whether it is a the disease is controllable or not. We can go for optimal controllable. So to this is our spread or controlled or stable. We can go for the numerical simulation various. Numerical Numerical methods are there for solving the system of equation. And we'll go for Matlab or Python for the diagram representation of the DC status. This at all? Also we can go for. Artificial neural network give for our system is a input. Input then we can apply for appropriate. Like PCs informed neural network like. Various theorem networks are there LSTM. Then we can apply. Then we can get predict the. Our outcomes.

Thank you. Could you share one of your research publications that you believe had the most impact, and briefly explain what made it significant?

This like I did in my research.

You’ve highlighted several industry collaborations and consultancy themes—can you give a concrete example of how you’ve contributed to an industry project or consultancy, and what your specific role was?

That's quite comprehensive. Can you briefly describe any hands-on involvement you've had with industry projects or consultancy, specifically highlighting your role and the outcomes?

Right now I'm. I have not discussed any industry. Because our management is not allowed to go for industry only, for theoretical oriented publications only. In in the 80s uh. VIP allowing to go for industrial collaborations. Also, I have approached for some of the people from the research into DRDO. They are agreed. I can collaborate with them in future.

Thank you for clarifying. Last skill area: can you describe your approach to maintaining a structured and engaging classroom environment, especially during challenging topics?

That challenging topic the students are. Uh, feel very tough at the time. I can uh. Uh, go for some slowly. Slowly, uh, some, uh. Modeling techniques. Then we can say for. Approaches how to focus for slowly, slowly taking the classes. Steps. Every steps I can give for very slowly step by step. Then we'll save for a practical applications. Based on the some of the model also we can apply at the time for active learning methods. Then make in the store an interest. Then we can start the classes.

Before we wrap up, Professor, do you have any questions about the role or our organization?

Uh, very much interested in the. Academic research and administrative experience. I have much experience in student handling. That student welfare. I'm the I hate the student welfare here. If I'm getting the opportunity to work as administer role, administrative role as a student, uh. Whether whether student welfare Dean or assistant Dean or associate Dean. Will be happy to help serve the VIT. As well as in teaching.

Thank you for sharing your interest in administrative roles and student welfare, Professor. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask; otherwise, I'll conclude our discussion.

I want to say thank you for shortlisting me to It is my dreams for. Past 10 years I am working for. When I going to join in VIP this is my dreams. Because of uh joining VE, only I I improve my profile. Only reason the VIP I want to join VIT. This is my dreams I I don't know other dreams. And they study M tech in in reputation Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur. The reason only reason I want to join. VIP as well. As I completed my postdoc, the only reason is VAT. So I want to contribute, I want to serve my entire life to the VIT.