Good day, Dr. S R script. Barkunan. 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?

Yeah, MMM.

Could you elaborate on your professional journey in academia?

Amma.

I cannot answer that. Let's stay focused on this interview. Could you please share your professional journey in academia?

Yeah, myself, Doctor Esther Bargain. I completed my B in.

Electronics and Communication Engineering and me in embraces through technologies and I have completed my PhD in Information and Communication Engineering faculty.

I have 14 years of academic experience.

I started my career as a teaching fellow in the Honor Industry, Coimbatore.

After completing my PhD.

Join us Associate Department of VC, Axia College of Engineering and Technology.

And I shifted my career to K Ramasan College of Engineering and Technology, Tirichi as associate professor in the department of ECE. Currently, I'm working as an associate professor in ECE department in Welltech Rangarajan, Dr. Sakundala, R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Audi, Chennai. I'm having 14 years of academic experience.

Uh, myself and my area of interest is the embedded system and microprocessor microcontrollers.

For past 40 years I I have been involved in teaching of.

System microprocessors. Microsoft programming to the UG students of engineering.

And also I'm very interested in interested in doing the real time projects and guiding the students in real time projects and making the students to more involvement in the embarrassed system concepts.

Thank you for sharing that, Professor.

Thank you for your patience, Professor. Let us begin by discussing your expertise to ensure alignment with the role. Given your background and Ph.D. in Information and Communication Engineering from Anna University, let's start by examining your expertise specifically in guiding student projects and research. Could you provide an example of a project or research activity you've guided that highlights your ability to mentor students effectively?

Yes, I have guided.

10 PG projects and I have guided more than 2025 UG projects throughout my career.

You see this PG project I have published 2.

Entrepreneurs Journal Papers.

By using the UG students, they're, uh, demonstrating this projects in the various project exposure. Uh, basically my area is embrace system and I have teach in this microcontrollers and microprocessors to the student in efficient way. By using this method of teaching, my method of teaching the students can able to understand the micro process, micro processing very clear manner.

Understood, Professor. Guiding such a substantial number of undergraduate and postgraduate projects, coupled with your focus on microprocessors and microcontrollers, is commendable. Your ability to translate advanced topics like microprocessors into an approachable format for students is a critical skill. Now, focusing specifically on your teaching approach, could you elaborate on the techniques or methods you use to ensure that students grasp complex topics like microcontrollers or embedded systems effectively?

Alright, my way of approach is by eviden real-time examples to the students. That means the embedded systems. Basically, embedded system means the combination of both hardware and software to perform a particular worker particular task.

But while I'm taking this embedded system to the students, I give more real time examples. Real time examples. They could have a life, they are using the embedded products but they don't aware of this. By giving this real time examples, they can easily connect with the embedded system concepts. One of my basic real time example is that ticket 20 missing replaced by the conductor in the buses while I'm taking the embedded system constructs with students and starting with the 8020 missing.

But previously we.

In previous days, how they give the tickets by how they get regard the tickets from the connector. Now how they got the tickets from the connector? What are the technology involved in this ticket 20 missing? Because the ticket 20 missing is the very clear example to explain the embarrassed systems of these products. So I have have an idea to give every real-time example to the students to understand the systems by understanding the embedded system they will they will more curiously get curious about how.

Systems to can do this particular work environment and then I will I will explain the microcontrollers.

Involved in the empire systems because microcontrollers are specified integrated, secure to do the with the more number of peripherals that means input output devices to operate in embedded systems. So by giving the real time examples the students can enable to.

Connect the.

And what is the same concept? Very clear, Yes. Yes.

Thank you, Professor, for sharing your teaching approach and the use of real-time examples to bridge theoretical concepts with practical applications. It's evident that your method not only helps students understand embedded systems but also fosters curiosity and engagement in the subject matter. Moving forward, your educational background showcases a Ph.D. in Information and Communication Engineering. Could you briefly discuss one of your research areas during your Ph.D. and how it contributes to the field or intersects with the subjects you teach?

Yes, I have completed my PhD in Information, Faculty of Information and Communication Engineering from another city. My area of research is embedded systems. So under this embedded system, I focus on the design approaches for efficient radiation management. The embedded systems are utilized for multiple purposes, multiple applications. We are using the embedded system, but in my research area I only focused on this embryo system for.

So in agriculture, we have to minimize the water resource utilization so we have to optimize the water utilization for this water you optimize water utilization. Why use 4 approaches to design A efficiency rehabilitation management system by using four different embarrassed systems by using this different embarrassed systems, we can.

Monitor the agricultural land environment that means environment, agricultural land parameters, physical parameters like temperature, humidity, soil, myself and rain level and all we can give the we can.

Uh, goody waterproof, yes.

We can control the irrigation methodologies. So by using this irrigation efficient radiation, we can minimize our water resources. Then we can get a more amount of yield. So my area of research is areas and management system. You see different embedded products.

Thank you, Professor. Your research on optimizing irrigation through embedded systems is both impactful and highly relevant, particularly in addressing critical challenges in resource management within agriculture. Designing systems that monitor parameters like temperature, humidity, and soil moisture to improve efficiency demonstrates an impressive integration of technology with real-world applications. Let us now turn our attention to your experience with research publications. You mentioned having multiple research papers published in reputed journals and conferences. Could you highlight one publication that you are particularly proud of and explain its significance within your domain?

As I have published my papers in the.

See a journalist in this SCA journal I have.

Management. That means the.

Thank you,

Computer and electrical.

Computer and Electrical engineering Seeing this computer electrical engineering I have published In this paper, I I presented a new approach to minimize the water replaceation by seeing the water level of the soil. By using this method, we can optimize our water increases in the agricultural land. And also I published information another one paper in this.

Another one paper in general, then in this general, I have approached 4 different approaches, 4 different networking approach. So how we can install the sensors and agricultural field to monitor the thorough monitor the agility environment to maximize Sorry to minimize the.

Optimize the water utilization.

Thank you, Professor. Your contributions to optimizing water utilization in agriculture through sensor networks and innovative approaches reflect a significant application of embedded systems to solve pressing sustainability challenges. Publishing your work in journals such as "Computers and Electrical Engineering" highlights the academic rigor and relevance of your research. Let me now examine another key area of this role. Practical experience with industry collaboration or consultancy is highly valued. Could you expand on any experience you’ve had working on industry projects or providing consultancy, particularly in areas related to embedded systems or image processing?

As I working as an academic personal, I have a chance to guide the students students projects to.

To develop products and all. So till now till now I have no have no chance to integrate with the industries. But currently in my Welte University we are focusing on some.

So I'll we have going to develop a soil moisture probe to integrate to identify the soil moisture level to help these farmers to make a water utilization and optimize through one. This is my in the industry environment so.

I'm mainly focused on the students, projects development and.

Making your bio system prototypes are done.

Thank you, Professor. It is clear that while your primary focus has been on academic projects and student mentorship, you are actively working toward bridging the gap between academia and industry with initiatives like developing a soil moisture probe to assist farmers. This demonstrates a forward-thinking approach and a commitment to translating academic research into practical, impactful solutions. Let’s now address your teaching methodology. How do you assess and evaluate students to ensure they have a deep understanding of the subjects you teach, particularly in areas like microcontrollers and embedded systems?

Right, in the case of students, the students are I, I.

Of make a students as a slow liner. Some fast learner's the fast learners, they are able to grab the concept within a one or within a short period of time. If I am we are taking the classes, we can give lecture to the students. Then fast learners easily grab the concept and they will make a.

More, uh, clear in this concept. So I, uh, for the first levels, I will suggest some.

Journal papers are done by using this journal papers they will find a new concept on the embedded systems. For the loneliness I have to teach these loneliness in very slow manner that means very depth manner in this. For the slowness approach I have to clearly tell about the microcontrollers, microcontroller, peripherals one or two times. Even though they are not understanding these microcodones means I will teach the slow answers by using the.

Real time giving real time in summer methodology. So by using this real time viewing real time examples by giving real time examples easily grab the concept by the from the concept of embedded systems. So I segregate the strollers in the slow runners and fast learners, giving advanced topic in this for this fast lenders and giving more consolidation on the basics because the embrace systems are consist of both hardware and software, so it consists of.

Thank you for

Electronic sensors and actuators and all. And also we have to focus on the programming methodologies because embedded systems need a programming idea. That means programming knowledge also. So I have to tell, we have to give the if I have to tell the students that is slot and you have to give the clear comments to the microcontroller. So for the purpose I will teach the loneliness.

Basics very day in depth by giving the real time examples by giving very small, very very less complex.

Uh, programs to each loneliness, but I will give the more, uh, advanced topic to the fast learners. So by giving security in the slowdowns and fast learners, we can easily, uh, transfer the concept of embedded systems to the students in an efficient manner. This is my approach to teach the embedded systems on microprocessor Microsoft, the uh, whole class.

Thank you, Professor. Your detailed explanation of tailoring your teaching approach based on the learning pace of students is highly commendable. The combination of advanced topics for fast learners and in-depth, real-time example-driven explanations for slower learners reflects a thoughtful and inclusive pedagogical approach. This methodology not only addresses varying learning needs but also ensures that every student can engage meaningfully with complex topics like embedded systems and microcontrollers. Finally, let us focus briefly on your publication and research experience. How do you integrate research findings, including your own or others’, into your teaching to provide students with cutting-edge knowledge and practices?

Yes, I have published the papers by converting the student projects into papers.

The smartphone sensor for agricultural environment monitoring it is agreed water level monitoring of this water level monitoring uses smartphone is my insurance projects and giving the problem to the student is going to and getting the all the details and we why and the student that involved in this project and after that.

Making a prototype by using this prototype by going installed in the real time environment. After installing this real time environment we are getting the values some parameters by using this parameters parameter. By using these values we are converting this sensor.

I'll book to, then, then, then. Outputs are making it, making them evaluate, evaluating output. By using this evaluation as output. We can do this project successful one by converting this project into the paper I'm using.

I'm getting more ideas by the students. OK by students point of view I'm getting ideas. Then we I and students are myself and students are getting involved and then it is converted as a paper. So every embarrassed products or every embedded concepts projects can be developed as a paper. Then it has to be applied to the internal journalists. I have applied to international. I had got 3 or 4 papers by using the students projects.

Thank you, Professor. Your approach to integrating student projects into research papers and applying them to international journals showcases both mentorship and collaboration, which are vital in a professor's role. By involving students in the entire process—from ideation to implementation and publication—you provide them with invaluable practical and research skills. This method not only enhances their learning but also contributes meaningfully to academic literature. With this, we’ve covered the major points regarding your skills, teaching methods, research experience, and student engagement. Allow me a moment to consolidate and confirm the input provided so far.

Professor, to begin with, could you share an example of a core concept in your field that you particularly enjoy teaching to introductory-level students?

Yes.

Basically microcontrollers are my interest field, so I'm taking my 8015 microcontroller. The core concept is the architecture of this 8015 microphone while talking 8015 architecture.

The 1815 microphone more number of that means input output devices. So in the input, the output devices act as a the human.

Understood, Professor. It seems you're passionate about connecting theoretical microcontroller architecture with practical input and output device applications. Thank you for sharing that. Let’s move forward.

Professor Barkunan, I see that you have a Ph.D. in Information and Communication Engineering from Anna University Chennai and a strong background in embedded systems and related domains. Additionally, you've published multiple research papers in reputed journals and conferences. Can you elaborate on one of your research papers or projects that you feel has had a significant impact in the field? How would you adapt the insights or findings from that research to enhance your classroom teaching?

Yes, uh, uh, basically the important, uh, uh, important systems, the payment of projects.

Can be converted as Oprah.

Uh, rain, uh, prophecy in my paper publishing measurement journal is using rainfall sensor this rainfall. So by developing A rainfall sensor.

Incorporate these rainfall sensors with other sensors like temperature, humidity and soil mice, we can control the irrigation process controlling the irrigation. So switch off and switch on the motors irrigation motor. So by developing this irrigation rainfall sensor.

We can control so we are in by by using this simple concept.

To develop areas, sorry very important sensor, I have controlled that any recent process that that product, that tempered product or embedded project is converted as a paper and published in a measurement channel.

Yes, uh, while talking about the imported products or imported uh, systems like uh, projects, the sensors and actuators are very, very important. So in project we have to sense the physical parameters. So all the physical parameters can be sensitive with the electric sensors, electronic sensors by using the sensor, we are giving the input to the microcontroller. So microcontroller is guided by our program. The program is developed by UC assembly language or as AC language.

Thank you for sharing that, Professor Barkunan. It seems you have worked on integrating rainfall sensors with other environmental sensors to develop a smart irrigation system, which is a significant contribution in the field of embedded systems and precision agriculture. How do you envision explaining the concepts behind this project—such as sensor integration and control systems—to students who are new to these topics? How would you make these principles accessible and engaging for them?

OK, so by using this, uh program, the microcardless can do the conference. You can do some process by giving these kinds of instruction to the microcontroller. The microcontroller take some distance. So these distance and all we are covered in our program. So by using this distance microphone can control the actuators. So the microcontroller can act as a human being. So the human being means the input output devices are like a human beings eyes and ears and nose. OK, by using this.

But but human being can understand the physical.

But I'm physical world by seeing the world and by hearing the voice or hearing the sound from so we can think a micro less a human being. So the input output sensors are used by like humans who knows and human eyes. The actuators are used as a considered as a human hands and human.

Activities The program is very important to develop the efficient.

Controlling by the microcontroller. So by giving this kind of examples, the students can be able to understand the metronomy very clearly.

Thank

It’s clear, Professor Barkunan, that you emphasize drawing analogies between microcontrollers and human sensory and motor systems to help students relate to these abstract concepts. That analogy—comparing sensors to human senses and actuators to human actions—is an effective way to simplify and explain the workings of microcontroller systems. As a follow-up, how do you ensure that students not only understand these concepts theoretically but also gain practical hands-on experience in your classes? What teaching methods or tools do you use to bridge the gap between theory and practice?

Even a a simple programs that means we have to by making a program that is a micro control program. There are three kind of methods 1 is assuming level language, level language and high level language. So I prefer assembly level language program because when you see this assembly level language program, the microcontroller can directly involved in this prefers. So by using this language program by simple programs to the students kind of giving some practical concepts or this practical.

The theory and practice.

Task they able to write a program. So by using this program, the photos can understand the microcontroller concepts. So by making a simple task for, uh, completing this task, you have to give some programs. We have to yeah, I have assigned some program.

Writing program through language because by writing language program only the students can understand the inbuilt peripherals of the natural controller very efficient by following this methodology.

Understood, Professor Barkunan. You emphasize hands-on learning through assembly-level programming, which exposes students directly to the underlying architecture and inbuilt peripherals of the microcontroller. Assigning simple, practical tasks ensures that students gain both conceptual understanding and technical proficiency. Another question: how do you assess whether all students in the class are following along effectively with these technical concepts? What strategies do you employ to support those who might struggle with understanding the material?

Our scheduled time for the interview is now up. Before we conclude, do you have any questions related to the role or the company?

No, no, I understand the role in.

No problem.

Professor, can you outline a three-year research roadmap that demonstrates how your work could serve as a long-term asset to both your discipline and the institution?

Sorry.

Not a problem, Professor. Kindly share your three-year research roadmap when ready. Take your time.

Yes, for past three years I.

I'm not in the my research area is an important product, similar systems and all. I have published on paper in a SCA journal.

Uh, mostly, uh, guided the students in a lot of projects, academic area projects. Uh, presently I'm, we are in the developing of soil pro, smart Soil pro for monitoring the soil moisture, soil temperature and soil salinity. So this will help these.

The farmers to, uh, identify the sign quality and quality level. So by using this, this, uh, farmer can take addition, that is whether we, so I need to for the agriculture, which types of crops can be utilized for this soil and all.

Thank you, Professor. I appreciate the effort you've described in guiding students and developing impactful projects like "Smart Soil Pro." Building on this current work, I’d like to ask: how do you plan to ensure the scalability of your lab in the coming years, particularly in mentoring junior students to maintain a strong pipeline of high-quality publications?

Yeah.

Well, currently we are having the community service projects in in our in work possibly working. They are giving community service projects and minor and major projects. So we have to get we have to create a curiosity among the students about this microcontrollers and microprocessors then imported our system concept needs. The students are very interested to do these projects. So we have to find out some real time.

Problems. How to solve the real type problems? The project may be a small small owner, a small prototype, it's not a matter. But by doing this small simple prototype by their own, by guiding the students to do the project by their own, they can easily understand the concepts.

A simple task is very, very important to understand the very big concept. So by understanding the simple ideas or basics, the electron devices that is mostly the devices are important products are replacing the important sensors. So by using this embedded sensors and understanding the concept behind the embracing sensors and also the project programming knowledge. So how we can we have to give optimized command or optimized instructions with the?

Microcontroller by seeing this optimization in section microcontroller can architecture act for the program. So do we have to I I am focusing on the students to get the knowledge in both hardware and also the software. The software is controlling that particular hardware.

Understood, Professor. You've explained a well-rounded approach to mentoring students by combining real-time problem-solving with foundational concepts in both hardware and software. Now, let me ask: how do you envision leveraging international collaborations to enhance your research’s visibility and impact, especially in improving citation metrics?

And I planned to bubbly say very quality papers in international journalists. By doing this publication, only we can explore we can.

Have a weekend?

We can explain my explain our basic concept that means by making a project in suit papers. It's a very good quality pair international. I plan to probably say very interested general papers.

Thank you, Professor. It sounds like you intend to focus on publishing in high-quality international journals to disseminate your work globally and enhance its academic impact. I appreciate your insights. This concludes this section. Let’s proceed.

Professor, let's begin with an instructional challenge. Imagine you are tasked with teaching a large-enrollment course using an active learning model, such as a flipped classroom, but without relying on slides. Could you outline in detail how you would implement this while ensuring maximal engagement and comprehension?

Time is up! Ending the interview now.