Start friends, you say?

Good day, Sarfraz Hussain. I'm Arjun. I've had a look through your

Nice meeting you.

Of course.

Nice meeting you as well. Please, start by introducing your professional journey in academia.

So I have done B.Tech in electronics and communication engineering and.

I've done it from Northeastern Hill University, which is a central university in Meghalaya, Shillong.

Then I have done M take in VLSI which is from Northeastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology which is in Arunachal Pradesh. It's now deemed to be university. Earlier it was CFDA that is a really funded technical institute and it's still under the government.

Then I have done PhD in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the same institute that is nearest which is in Arunachal Pradesh.

And.

During my PhD, I had two supervisors, one from Nerys and another is from IIT in Guwahati. So I basically worked in CDC lab, IIT, Guwahati for my PhD tenure and.

Then I also visited UH Semiconductor Lab Chandigarh during my PhD to define my work and as well as to validate my work. So whatever work I have done in IIT Guwahati during my PhD, so same work, I uh, took it to SCL Chandnikar and, you know, verified whether all those parameters are OK for fabrication or not. And it was verified. But due to the corona or you can say the hit of the corona because of during.

Time I couldn't complete the fabrication but then we have taken more time during that. So that's why I had to drop with that and I had to submit my thesis. I do have some publication regarding my PhD after post PhD. Also I do have publication, I have single author publication as well. I have publication in Q1 journals as well as in other journals as well. So QM journal basically it got accepted this year, but for other journals I published.

NSCIS and its focus index in Q2 also I published and apart from that I have publishing in book chapters, publications in I Triple E conferences which are recruited conferences. I have served as technical program committee chair as well as TPC in most of the I Triple E conference, not most, but I would say in many of the IEEE conferences I've served as TPC and I've reviewed a lot of papers. As well as I have been assessing share not just in India but abroad also, I have been.

Thanks

As a session chair, I was invited and I had.

Experience in that one. So apart from this I have delivered national lectures that is in utter FDP and FDP is organized by EICT Academy and there are a few other workshops and the FDP is where I have delivered for five days as a resource person. So I have delivered nationally and even international. Also I have went to IEEE, I mean I went to Sri Lanka which was funded by IEEE in Lanka.

Section and I delivered a lecture during a conference that is an IEEE conference where I.

Invited to deliver a tutorial which went successfully so therefore I had not just national but international. So I have delivered lectures apart from this one. I am an IEEE senior member as well as I see live member plus I am a member of VSS Society of India.

And currently I serve as a secretary for IEEE SA which is a standards association for the work group P3462. And apart from this.

Uh, I'm a vice chair for IEEE Cast Bangalore chapter.

And one more council is there, that is a systems council where I am serving as a secretary basically.

Apart from this, I've been involved in IEEE directly and indirectly and in most of the cases serving as a publication chair and all those things and when I have organized a lot of workshops, symposiums as well.

Thank you.

Thank you for sharing that, Professor. I appreciate the in-depth overview of your academic journey and accomplishments.

Professor Hussain, welcome. I’ve reviewed your impressive profile and the job responsibilities for this Professor role. Let’s begin by diving into your qualifications and expertise to see how they align with the position. First, could you elaborate on your teaching methodology and approach, particularly regarding delivering both theory and laboratory courses? How do you ensure students grasp the material effectively in both settings?

Yes, of course. So for example during the theory, so whatever theory classes I take. So I have a approach where I intend to have a more of an interactive session rather than just one way session.

In such an interactive session, sometimes I use PPT which is PowerPoint presentations or sometimes I use only chalk and boom. So it depends upon what topics I'm covering and what aspect I'm covering. Based on that one, I choose sometimes PPD and sometimes chalk input. Now, while having these things, so when I'm having these Internet assessments, so before Internet assessment, we do give some marks for assignments and quizzes. So I do take. Quizzes as well as assignments.

As a part of the development of the students because this.

Kind of uh, continuous assessment helps the student.

To boost their potential basically. And also it increases the curiosity to learn more. So by that I try to put efforts in bringing the theory more into the practical. Now when I talk about the lab, so it is more theoretical acquainted, not theoretical, but it's theoretical acquainted. That means whatever we learn in the theory. So same thing we try to put it into the labs. So suppose I.

Uh, theory lab. OK, so I suppose I am taking a lecture on opams. So basically I will describe about the op amps during my theory classes, but the same thing when I do in a practical. So I explain it to them that this is what is an open circuit. So you already know about the circuit. Now what are the practical aspects? What are the non ideal parameters? So all those things I explain during the practicals. I intend to take 5 to 10 minutes to explain a little bit of the theory. It's just a kind of a.

Recalling what they have learned in the theory classes and after that talking about the instruments, whatever instruments they are going to use, they must know about how to use those instruments.

They must know about the components, they must know about the IC diagrams. So all those things I explained in that 15 to 20 minutes, and maybe sometimes it's half an hour. And once they're familiar with these things, then we take two minutes for the safety measures. So I tell them about the safety measures they need to take. And after that we start with the basic circuit implementation. So once we have drawn the circuit, so the students. They actually try to implement the particular circuit, so I just give them a demo that this is how they can connect.

The students engage in implementing the circuit, they try and run the circuit simulations and that is how I intend to have both theory and the practical by having a more practical approach.

And after that?

As well as more interactive. So these are the two things that I basically try to confer that one is interactive, another is more of a.

Practical approach where they can learn and they can even have a better thinking of their career where they can actually see that where they're going and after they pass out, they can actually have a good understanding of the particular subject.

That's all.

Thank you, Professor Hussain. Your integration of interactive sessions and practical applications demonstrates a comprehensive teaching method. To delve deeper, can you share an example of a challenging concept you've taught, and how you specifically tailored your approach to help students overcome difficulties in mastering it?

Yes, of course. So for example, like one subject I took that is advanced embedded system design. In that particular subject I had one topic on context M3M4 processor. Now when we teach this Cortex M3 processor, so there we draw the block diagrams and we tell them that this is the way how they can interface. Now when we draw it on the board or when we show it in the PPT, it is clear that OK, so these.

The blocks they need to connect, this is how they will connect, but they are visualizing everything.

Now to overcome that part of the visualization and to see it actually happens. So that's when the labs come in. So what I do is that I give them a mini project where whatever they learned in the theory, so they need to implement practically. So whatever I've told them that OK, so this is how they can interface a particular, let's say for example, LED to a particular microprocessor. Now how exactly that happens, how the signal basically trans.

From 1:00 to the another, how the LED blinks when it turns on, when it turns off. So for that one, we do have a practical implementation now in the lab. I'll show them one demo as to how to interface and during the lab. So they have around 10 experiments and out of those 10 experiments, they have to combine those experiments and then they have to come up with a mini project.

I told them to combine any 3 experiments they did in the lab and to come up with a mini project. Now this mini project helps them to calculate all those experiments they have done and to connect them to make a particular project. Now when they connect all those lab experiments that they have done and when they see this, yes this can be implemented in real time whatever labs they are doing, it's not just for the sake of passing or just for doing the lab.

So this semester what I did is.

But when they can combine these lab sessions into a fruitful project, so that gives them happiness, that gives them a learning that yes, these are essential whatever lab components we have given, whatever lab experiments they are doing. So it gives them a more all that, yes, they can build a particular system using this lab. And this is how these lab sessions are very, very important for them. So there they see the importance of both the theory where they understand the.

Diagrams and all, and they also see how they can actually do it in a real life, real time, and by utilizing the lab experiments that they're doing during the lab sessions. Thank you.

Yes. So for that I have a continuous assessment method where every week I intend to check at least like because there is a strength of 60 students, so I cannot do it at one time. So what I do is that I pick a randomly 10 students from the class and I give them some assignments or I ask them some questions related to whatever topics I have covered. Now based on that one, like every week when I intend to do so, so students, they intend to.

Understood, Professor. You balance theory and application exceptionally well, leading students from conceptual understanding to real-world project integration—a commendable example. Now let’s shift to student assessment. How do you evaluate their performance effectively, given the diversity in learning paces and abilities?

Revise those components and then they come prepared and they even ask questions wherever they have the doubts. So this gives them a more of a growth and because of the continuous assessment, they're always alert now apart from this one. So since I'm giving them assignments and like meanwhile I'm taking some quizzes as well, which is a part of the continuous assessment. So this keeps them in track.

Apart from this one, let's say they give their IA one that is the internal assessment, one exam they have given. Now after the internal assessment, I come to know that these are the students which are slow learners. So for them I give extra classes to the slow learners as a remedial class for them. Now during this remedial classes I covered those topics where they have the doubts where they don't understand. So I go a little bit slow for them. I try to cover more of the. Theoretical aspect.

As well as helping them understand the concepts in a better way.

Because they are slow learning, so they they will take time to understand. So by the help of remedial classes they can learn more and that's how they can again come to a higher level. Now those who are in an intermediate level. So for them also I give additional assignment questions so that they can improve. And for those who are fast learners, I gave them advanced kind of materials that is advanced learning basically. So I give them advanced. Additional.

Assignments where they can actually rethink on it and see a practical way of doing the things. That means they are able to connect with the practical world that is the real world and that is how the young minds who are fast learners, they can actually utilize their potential during that time. Thank you.

Your structured and inclusive approach to continuous assessment, tailored for diverse student groups, demonstrates a clear commitment to fostering growth at all levels. Thank you for sharing that, Professor Hussain. Next, let’s address your research experience. Could you describe a significant research project you've conducted and the impact it has had either academically or in practical applications? Specifically, how did your findings contribute to advancements in your field?

So for this one, I would like to mention two publications of mine, not just one. So one is or I can say the first one is about the analog to digital converters. Now analog to digital converters in that one we have a lot of Adcs or an outro digital converters. Out of those, Flash ADC is known to be the fastest ADC. Now my work was to have this Flash ADC design and make it more efficient. Now how can we make it more efficient?

Because Flash ADCS, they have a parallel computation which drives a lot of power.

Then what it will do is I'm using the flash ADC for the fastest response but in the meantime based on the resolution required, I can adjust the flash ADC. So that means what I don't have to change my flash ADC again and again, rather than what I can do is that I can adjust to the particular resolution that is required. So whenever high resolution is required, accordingly my particular ADC will work if a low resolution is required. So based on that one my ADC will work and it will.

Now what I did is I made the more resolution adaptive. Let's say for example in applications where we don't need much of the resolution.

Give them an efficient you can say it's a efficient design which will help them balance the power dissipation as well as the speed so both are properly balanced so the trade off that happens.

So it can, uh, be good if we have these kind of a resolution adaptive approach and moreover, we don't need to change the IDC again and again. So that is one of the, uh, key features of this particular research and apart from this.

I've got a lot of citations in this particular, uh, ADC and it has been published in, uh, in, uh, NSCI journal basically. And uh, I also did one single author publication in this particular domain and it has raised a lot of people and I've got a lot of citations in this. Now, another impactful research that I did is in healthcare. So I'm also working in smart healthcare design. So one of the publications in uh, chapter that is a book chapter, so in Got.

Highlighted and it was reviewed by many reviewers like good reviewers and they committed that yes, it's a very impactful research. And based on my research on smart healthcare, I have received a seed funding from my university to work on it. And currently I have one PhD scholar and I also have one research assistant working in this particular domain. So I have PhD scholar working in the VLSI domain, I have research assistant working in.

Smart healthcare design. I do have PG scholars as well that is M tech also I'm guiding so one is working on the comparators, another is working on the Wall Street encoders, another one also I have who is working in Adobe Systems basically. So this is about my research profile.

Every research we have a timeline to set. Now if the timeline is of one year, so we have to set it accordingly. Now I will separate these into two different parts. 1 is for the seed funding. Now if we receive a seed funding, so it's mostly of a one year or a two year project. And in that particular research, we prepare a timeline where we have distributed let's say monthly distribution we have which starts with the research methodology, OK. So in that particular research methodology.

Thank you, Professor Hussain. Your research contributions, particularly in advancing Flash ADC efficiency and your impactful work in smart healthcare, demonstrate both depth and relevance. It’s commendable that your work is influencing both academia and practical applications. A final follow-up on your research approach: When guiding PhD or postgraduate scholars, how do you ensure they remain innovative while adhering to the rigor and deadlines of academic research?

We have to first do the literature survey. So same thing goes for the PhD as well. Now PSD it usually it is for three years to five years. So it differs from three years to five years and could be more than that. But minimum we expect it to be 3 years. Now, first of all, we try to make a timeline. Now in this particular timeline, first thing that we try to do is.

Literature Review After the literature review, we try to create a test bench. Now, once the test bench is set.

Based on that one, we try to create results, we try to modify the circuits, we try to implement our ideas. We used to propose our ideas based on the proposed idea, we try to implement the idea. So then comes the implementation part. And once the implementation is done, so we do some publications. So regarding the publications, so first publication happens usually after we complete the literature review. So once the literature review is completed, we do publish.

Survey paper and after that the review still continues because unless we complete the PhD still we need to continue with the literature review. Meanwhile, we work with our design and once we get good results or satisfactory results, so we do send it for another publication in good journals basically.

Now, as a part of PhD, we do have to have some conference papers as well. So I encourage my students whether it is Amtech or a PhD.

To go for these conferences, attend these conferences and present their work and similarly. So this time in NIT Goa, one of my M Tech student paper, so it got selected and he presented the particular paper in Antigo. So it is AI triple conference which held in NIT Go. And that's kind of an achievement that we get. And that is how I actually motivate my students to go for it and apart from this.

We also received Best Paper Presentation award as well which shows that my students are really looking forward for the growth and I'm there guiding them to do better in their life.

Thank you.

Thank you, Professor Hussain. Your structured approach to research timelines and consistent emphasis on publication and presentation demonstrates a clear strategy for fostering academic rigor and innovation among your students. Your encouragement in achieving milestones like conferences and awards reflects your commitment as a mentor. Next, let’s cover your experience with industry collaboration or consultancy projects. Have you worked on any? If yes, how did those engagements influence your academic research or teaching practices?

I have, uh, interacted with the industries, I do have collaborations with the industries. I did projects related to the industries. Even I have, uh, been through, uh, certification, that is industry certification as well. And based on that particular industry certification, that is Q&X basically. So it's a real time operating system. So I did a certification in QNX operating system. And then based on that one, we started a professional elective course in our curriculum. So that is.

How from the industry we have collaborated. So I basically went there. I did this particular certification and had a MOU signed between the π Square technologies for this particular course. So finally we had this professional elective course in our curriculum for the students and one semester is already gone and we have got a good feedback from their students that they really like the particular industry based.

I mean the curriculum, and in this particular curriculum, the industry people.

Thank you.

Thank you, Professor Hussain. It's valuable to see how your industry certification and collaboration have directly impacted curriculum development and enriched student exposure to real-world technologies. Fostering such industry-academia connections is vital for equipping students with skills relevant to current market demands. With your extensive portfolio, could you now briefly outline your vision for contributing to our institution’s research development and teaching excellence, should you join us?

Course so I would be really happy if I can get a chance to join the university and for this I'd be really working towards bringing funds and working towards the project Writing project proposals already I have written this for my current workplace and I'll in like my intention is to write project proposals for vits as well and I'll try to bring more of government funds and.

More on the research domain and publish in good journals motivate PSD scholars as now also I'm having PhD and PG scholars so I intend to do the same. If I can get PG scholars and PhD scholars in the university, I'll surely try to make a particular lab for it. And I intend to use open source tools. So I will encourage the students for this particular set of tools and to develop a lab where we can have these open source based projects and real time applic.

Or real world applications basically so that they land in a good carrier and have a really good job. Thank you.

One more thing I would like to highlight that is.

Thank you, Professor Hussain. Your vision of bringing funded projects, fostering innovation through open-source tools, and mentoring scholars aligns well with advancing both research and student outcomes. Your proactive approach to developing labs and focusing on real-world applications reflects a strong commitment to institutional and academic growth. That concludes my initial set of questions. Is there anything you'd like to add or highlight about your qualifications or experience?

I have received UH TQIP fellowship during my M Tech and I also received Vishwasherya PSD fellowship which was funded by Metis that is Ministry of Electronics and IT Government of India. So I got this funding for my M Tech and PhD from the government. And apart from this, I have also cleared UGC NET which is National Eligibility Test and in the year 2018. So these are few more things that I'd like to add to my Prof.

Thank you.

Thank you for sharing, Professor Hussain. Your achievements, including the prestigious fellowships and UGC NET qualification, further reinforce your strong academic foundation and dedication to your field. I have everything I need from our discussion. Should you wish, we can conclude the interview now. Do let me know if you’d like to address anything further.

That's OK. I would like to conclude this interview. Thank you so much, and I'd really love to join. Thank you.