Good day, Dr. R. Jayalakshmi. 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?

Yes.

Could you share your professional journey in academia so far?

Good evening, Mr. Raju. I'm Doctor RJ Lakshmi.

Presently working as Assistant professor, selection grade in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Sri Chandra Chigirendra Saraswati Vishwamaha Vidyalaya.

I bring rich experience of 22 years in teaching, research and academic leadership experience.

I have done my UG bachelor of UH Electronics of UH Engineering, Electronics and communication engineering and M tech in VLSI design and embarrassed systems and PhD in quantum computing for reconfigurable structures.

I was.

Yeah.

Understood, Professor. Let's proceed. Could you briefly share how your expertise in quantum computing for reconfigurable structures contributes to research or teaching in areas like emerging technologies?

Quantum computing is an emerging technology and as per the directions of DST.

We have National Quantum mission and I have proposed. Funded proposal.

During August 2025.

For establishment of Quantum Technologies laboratory in our institution with funded funded proposal value of 4.25 crores. In addition to that, I have also incorporated the syllabus of minor degree in.

For UG program in Quantum technologies, I have published research papers in quantum and also incorporated value-added course for the present students, engineering students as well as science students. Value-added courses in Quantum technologies.

This is a research contribution in quantum and we can have significant tie up with industries also. So presently we have.

So this emerging technology will boost up lots of chances of course contents, new curriculum design, establishment of new laboratory industry initiatives and minor project proposals for the students and as well as it can create a new ecosystem as well in any institution.

We are trying to establish industry connections in terms of quantum.

Which are working towards the school.

Understood, Professor. Your contributions and initiatives in quantum technologies are impressive, particularly the establishment of a Quantum Technologies Laboratory and curriculum development in this domain. This demonstrates significant leadership in advancing emerging technologies within an academic institution. Could you elaborate on how you envision aligning these initiatives—like curriculum development, industry collaboration, and laboratory establishment—with fostering interdisciplinary research and student engagement?

Yes, sure. And as head of the department for the years between 20/22/23 to 25, it was instrumental in establishing as a Board of Studies Chairman. It was instrumental in establishing the minor degree program in quantum technologies and also as a single point of contact and nodal officer for.

Initiative academic collaborative initiatives with IIT Madras.

I'm in touch with professors relevant to quantum communication vertical. So this vertical, there are 4 verticals in quantum technologies. We can go for quantum communication, quantum materials and sensing, quantum computing and quantum materials and devices. So each of these vertical offers significant subject matter expertise and we can. Offer minor degree programs, honors courses.

Plus value added courses and we can also incorporate simulators, for example, Qskit and Universe of Qskit offered by IBM and Qniverse offered by CDEC. And presently there are more startup options for Quantum, for example, ANU, Tundra and QPI presently working on this. So we could foster the industry collaboration and we can apply, also apply for funded propos.

And we can get established the laboratory and we can incorporate that into the curriculum and by incorporating into the curriculum as a mainstream corner scores or a minor degree program and a value added courses initially we can foster.

Awareness sessions on quantum as well as.

We can incorporate case studies so that we can break down larger projects into smaller sub task for students to get actively in involved in this and this could inculcate research culture and the research ecosystem can also be culminated by focusing on this venture.

We need a structured plan to work this work. This institutional level provided an opportunity. I can use my leadership and experience for involving myself in building up this ecosystem.

Thank you, Professor. Your structured approach to fostering an ecosystem for quantum technologies, ranging from curriculum development to research integration and industry collaboration, is commendable. You've clearly outlined how these initiatives align with institutional and national priorities, like the National Quantum Mission. Could you detail how you plan to engage students and younger faculty members in actively contributing to this ecosystem and ensuring its long-term sustainability within the institution?

As always, a team collaboration is needed. Anger faculty members needed to take up mentoring from senior faculty members and professors working on this.

Yes, sure.

We can create structured awareness programs.

1st, a structured awareness program for all the faculty members, anger faculty members and students involved. UGPG and PhD. As Quantum itself is an interdisciplinary course, we may integrate science team students, mathematics students, computer science, Engineering, electrical and electronics students as well so that and complete integrated ecosystem can be fostered.

The next step was creating after awareness programs, we have to introduce value-added courses.

Taken up a rigorous value added courses for two or three months so that we can integrate parallel value added courses as well. For example, 1 can be on quantum fundamentals, the mathematical fundamentals of quantum computing. The other can be on material devices, quantum materials and devices. Third can be on application, quantum applications, cryptography communication platform. 4th can be owned the simulators a specific value-added course on simulators as well.

So this can give a second step for the faculty members as well as students to make sure that after taking up theoretical concepts, using awareness program, they have and so on training program. For this hands-on training session, we have to we have to have tie up with industry collaborators and institutes of national importance like CDAC and we can also take up. The Departments of Science and Technology mature mission.

Yeah and Institute of national importance like premier institutes help in getting up these syllabus and curriculum framed also in running up this courses. The third is.

Widespread awareness through international engagement and collaborations. So we have there are institutions at international level which are currently working on quantum. So we need to have international collaborations on this arena so that we may have a team of professors working, senior professors working on this area and this can also pay way for the research the 4th is integrating.

Curriculum, research, and.

Combinational ecosystem for long time sustainability. So I would say the goal for sustainability if it is a goal for five years, the first year should be introduction of value-added courses and awareness program which should be made mandatory for all younger faculty members and students.

The next second year is incorporation with industry and collaboration with foreign reputed institutes and the National Institutes and starting working on consultancy projects and meanwhile in the establishment of quantum laboratory. So when talking about quantum laboratory, we need to have two types of thinking, 1 is the 4 verticals and the next is whether we are going.

Or simulation or it is going to be on hardware concentration. So simulation platform is much easier and hardware needs specific setup. But we can also work on materials and devices on quantum. So we have different verticals and we need to find out faculty and faculty members who can match up with this expertise so that we can put firms teams together.

So for the 4th year, we start working on funded proposals, working on startups and we could also connect this with startup related activities. So at the end of the fourth year, we can have a startup in terms of quantum computing. I envision for this for a syllabus creation on the first year along with the awareness program for students and faculty members.

For second year industry collaboration and 3rd year proposals. Funding proposals. National and international collaboration.

4th year a startup which is coming out of and 5th year self sustainability and research publication outputs with patents.

This is the structured approach I tend to follow.

Thank you, Professor. Your structured roadmap reflects both practicality and visionary planning. By aligning awareness programs, value-added courses, interdisciplinary collaboration, industry engagements, international partnerships, and research outputs, you outline a comprehensive pathway toward fostering a sustainable quantum ecosystem. One crucial aspect of this approach is the balance between teaching, research, and institutional collaboration. Could you expand on how you would ensure this balance, given the multitude of stakeholders and tasks involved?

Actually if you see on the goals for sustainability, the first step is delegation of task. Delegation here refers to curriculum design. So while we the first step is curriculum integration with the curriculum and awareness program relevant to it. So as a first step we incorporate that as a teaching workload in terms of teaching. Next is along with this we need to set up laboratory that comes under research as well as an administrative.

Yes, sure.

Arena so rather to see it as a different task or a thing, it is crucial that it comes under one umbrella of an ecosystem. So the outcome of a quantum computing center of excellence could be.

One is teaching can be done, research can be done, and also that combines the administrative perspectives on a longer run.

Thank you, Professor. Your approach to integrating teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities under a unified ecosystem is insightful. By ensuring synergy across these dimensions, the long-term goals of building a robust quantum computing center of excellence seem achievable. The focus on delegation and alignment is key to balancing these tasks efficiently. Given the complexity of such initiatives, how would you measure progress and success for each phase of this plan to ensure adherence to your five-year roadmap?

Yes, that's a good question. As I said, previously mentioned that as a head of the department.

In SCSVME, it was instrumental in setting up Drone Technology Lab.

The road map which I used is for a five year period and initially we we had the map planned like this first year, incorporation of value added courses and tracking mechanism. At end of every six months we need to measure in what are the events completed and what is the outcome which has been delivered and how much of manpower invested and how much of students and beneficiaries has been targeted.

And in the in addition to this, we have also done school outreach programs for us. Drone technology is also an emerging technology. We have like nearly 203, two, 300 school students who have been trained in drone technology and simulation software. So similarly I would like to point out that we can have a same approach here. So every six one year.

Every five year. The five year goal should be broken down into every one year.

And everyone here every six months for every.

Six months. We have to continuously monitor the activities under teaching, research and outreach that has been carried out. For example, we can give certificate programs for non-signed students, commerce students as well. And we can also give outreach program certification for school students to get trained in quantum computing software, maybe the fundamentals for school students as an awareness program.

Since it is of national interest, so every six months the target should be measured. So every one year the completion in terms, in terms of quantitative metrics, numeric numerics give the metrics. So we have to analyze that how many courses has been completed, how many value added courses has been done, how many awareness programs completed and what is the next step that has to be done. So that must be drilled at the end of every six months so that the next year we have to go for.

With the outcome from the first year, we project us for the second year, so every consecutive years we can draw the road map and we can successfully complete the ecosystem implementation.

Thank you, Professor. Your detailed and metrics-driven strategy for monitoring and assessing the progress of initiatives is commendable. Breaking down the five-year roadmap into yearly and six-monthly measurable targets ensures not only accountability but also the adaptability required for scaling and improving the ecosystem. Your inclusion of outreach to non-science students and school-level programs reflects a broad perspective, truly aligning with the national interest in quantum technologies. Since collaboration is key to such initiatives, how do you plan to motivate and engage faculty, students, and external stakeholders in maintaining long-term enthusiasm and commitment to this ambitious ecosystem vision?

The stakeholders involved are.

The students, the faculty members, and societal and national importance.

So as long as the internal ecosystem is concerned, the faculty members and students.

We need to have a proactive mentoring and the purpose and the clarity of outcomes that has to be achieved and envisioning the outcomes and the impact that it is going to create for.

For an institution like we Vellore Institute of Technology in in its with its higher purpose and with its awareness and import nation working foreign national importance, we need to make sure that the anger faculty members and students are brought in alignment with the goals and vision of the university. So with regard to this, it is mainly important to mentor. And make sure that there is clarity in execution and there is purpose driven missions or clearly communicated.

And the task are delegated also. If the complexity of the building up an ecosystem is broken down into simpler measurable goals, and it has and it can be assigned to every individual, be it a faculty member or a student, then each can attain the goals and by long be a prolonged measurement of this goals can.

Reach out to building up a ecosystem and by contributing this and creating.

On awareness with the outsiders, for example, school students, industry experts and industry partners, and with foreign collaborators and national collaborators, we could successfully launch this scheme.

Provided the purpose and clarity, it is easier to much. It is much easier to implement this.

Thank you, Professor. Your emphasis on purpose-driven clarity, proactive mentoring, and structured delegation of goals underscores a well-founded strategy for engaging both internal and external stakeholders. Breaking down complex objectives into achievable tasks not only fosters collaboration but also motivates participants by demonstrating tangible progress. Your inclusion of outreach to industry, foreign collaborators, and school-level participants indicates a comprehensive approach essential for long-term success. With a vision so well-articulated, the alignment of faculty, students, and societal goals seems not only feasible but also inspiring.

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

Yes.

Before we wrap up, is there anything specific you’d like to discuss or highlight further regarding your academic or research contributions to this role?

I have, uh, as I uh mentioned, I have 22 years of academic experience with uh teaching research and I was working uh, in UH.

Mighty funded project called Saswadi Iswaran which is converting manuscript palm leaf manuscript images to editable text.

We have completed I'm as the head of Optical character Recognition team as we have completed phase one and we have submitted a proposal to Phase 2.

The working in this project has made me to be.

It is both challenging as well as made me to understand the team dynamics, team collaboration and focused outcome.

I have also submitted proposals to various agencies like I said Department of DST serves symposia scheme and submitted consultancy proposals for.

CDAC and.

DRDO and I have guided 2 scholars, 1 is with respect to PhD. The topic is on thermal management for LED and also I have co-guided Ayurveda student. She is doing her Mmos the work is on.

Measuring the clinical trials of Ayurveda practices using data-driven approaches.

And this is an interdisciplinary project which combines Ayurveda and engineering and the thesis has been submitted for evaluation and the findings has been written down in a public paper and it is waiting for to be published.

And I have also presented papers in Jan Barden conference. Our team has presented a paper on Nyan Bharatan conference on digital station of palm leaf manuscripts from segmentation to character recognition during September 2025. And in addition to that I am instrumental in.

Incorporating.

UH syllabus revision. As a Chairman of Board of Studies, I'm instrumental in establishing PG part-time Mtech courses, UG part-time BEC courses and the last year instrumental in incorporating 5 value-added courses in my tenure. Tack of two years for the students in Python, Digital Image processing, Arduino automation. Also instrumental in UMM bringing up.

Uh, minor degree program in UH quantum technologies, honors degree program in drone technology and I was the member of internal ICC committee. I am Inter intellectual property rights coordinator during 2017 to 2019 and I have held various positions in department and university levels, both curricula, co-curricular and extracurricular activities. And I am instrumental in bringing up.

But uh, uh, innovative teaching methodology as and I believe in strong mentoring guidance for the students.

And to add up, UH provided an opportunity with my hardware dedication and resilience and team working capabilities, I could contribute much better to the development of the institution, students, society as well as myself.

Thank you, Professor. Your extensive academic contributions, involvement in interdisciplinary projects, leadership roles in curriculum design, and ongoing initiatives to innovate teaching methodologies speak volumes about your dedication and impact within academia. Your balance of research innovation, mentoring, and institution-building firmly aligns with the qualities required for this role. With the time we have left, is there anything else you’d like to share or clarify about your vision or experiences?

I wished myself as a strong academic leader, fostering an ecosystem in quantum computing, guiding mentoring students and working on research and funding proposals with national and international collaborations, and fostering a research ecosystem.

In the forthcoming years.

Thank you for sharing, Professor. Your vision of becoming an academic leader, fostering quantum computing, guiding students, and championing national and international collaborations reflects a clear roadmap for advancing research and education. Are you ready to conclude the interview, or is there anything further you'd like to discuss?

I have shared all my viewpoints on establishing uh, uh, my patient and uh, uh, as well as uh, working towards the development of the institution and fostering rich collaboration, collaborative efforts, working with industries, society and involved getting involved myself in academic flexibility, developing new pedagogy and new course deliveries and new.

Forces, so I'm very excited for the role.

Thank you, Professor. Your passion and comprehensive vision for fostering academic excellence, innovation, and collaboration are truly inspiring. It's clear you're deeply committed to making a substantial impact. If you're ready, may I confirm that you'd like to conclude the interview?

In centers of excellence and research exposure.