Good day, Dr. Santosh Kumar Sahu. I'm Arjun. I've had a look through your background and your professional record. I'm interested in hearing more about your work and how you see yourself fitting in here with our faculty. Ready to start?

Please start by introducing your professional journey in academia.

I'm not getting any response.

Could you please share your academic journey and the key highlights of your professional experience in academia?

Oh.

I've not prepared any slides. Uh, so if you ask, I can explain my, uh, beforehand. We have, we don't have any type of information that you need to prepare a PPT and to say. So I've not prepared. If you ask, I can explain my academic journey.

Take your time. Please share about your academic journey and any significant achievements or experiences in your field.

That's completely fine. There is no need for slides. Please feel free to verbally share your academic journey and the significant milestones in your career.

OK. Thank you. My academic journey starts from first of all, I'll try means I've completed my Bachelor of Technology from Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Sarah in Odisha in 2012 having the specialization of Electronics and communication Engineering. So after that, I have completed my Master of Technology from National Institute of Technology, Silchar, Assam in 2018 having the specialization of communication and Signal processing engineering. With that I have completed. My doctorate from National Institute of Technology.

Karnataka Suratkal in 2024. My thesis title is Design and optimization in Nanoparton devices for irband applications. In this here what we have done we have designed various types of like platonic switches and we want to compare our switches with existing switches and we want to show what is the improvement we got in our device designed device there. That is the one part we have done and another part of the thesis is that we have to we have designed.

Using the nanohole structure.

Thank you for sharing that, Professor. Your academic background and research in nanophotonics and its applications for sensors and IR band devices are impressive, and the blood group sensor design sounds particularly impactful. One moment, please.

Professor Sahu, let's verify your qualifications and skills as they align with the role we’re considering. I'll focus on each area systematically. Starting with your expertise in **Image Processing**, can you describe, in detail, a project or research where you implemented advanced image processing algorithms, and specify the real-world application of your work?

Yeah, I have not worked in image processing. I have worked on design of the various types of plasmonic switches which is not practically implemented till now but it is a near future. It is planning to implement the plasmonic switches. Why we are interested to design the plasmonic switch because in that plasmonic switch we are operating with the light signal instead of the electrical signal. So what will happen? It will means reduce the delay which is cost significantly due to the upper. In Norman switches, what we are doing, we are operating with the electrical signals.

So data will be more but it will operate on the like lights or seconds directly without any conversion then our delay will be reduced. So that is the major advantages. So to signify that one we have calculated our to signify or to like to show the performance of which are evaluating 3 parameters that is 1 is called the extension ratio. That means what is the output power when the switch is in constant and when is the output power when the switch is in off state and insertion loss during the.

It also due to the metallic glass there is some loss occurs in this switch. So that is called the insertion loss and the next parameter is called the figure of merit. So these are the three parameters which characterizes the performance of a switch.

Understood,

Thank you, Professor Sahu, for elaborating on your work with plasmonic switches. It’s clear you've focused on optimizing performance metrics like extension ratio, insertion loss, and figure of merit. Let’s move to another key area. Can you share your experience or expertise in **Embedded and Communication Systems**, particularly how you have applied it in teaching, research, or a project?

No, I've never worked on embedded communication system.

Uh, what I'll do, uh, now it is we have to, we need to make the class student center. That means students, uh, if you simply come and teach in the whiteboard or blackboard, that is not an interesting, if you give whatever they're teaching, we are doing, Suppose I'm teaching on the amplitude modulation. If you, if you can give or we can realize the students, uh, how the amplitude modulation is helpful for the, uh, information transmission, then it will be more practical and the student can feel the connectivity so that they can understand.

Yeah.

OK.

That means my basic aim is that we want to like what we want to keep some practical applications of the particular device which which we are discussing.

Theoretically concept in my opinion, if they can visualize whatever the things we are discussed or we are discussing in the classroom, if they can realize that things in like with the help of some simulation software or using some hardware, so it will be more interesting.

Making concepts relatable through practical applications can indeed enhance student engagement and understanding. How do you typically structure your lectures or labs to ensure that students grasp the theoretical concepts while also applying them practically?

Incorporating simulation and hardware to bridge theory and practice is an effective strategy. Could you provide an example of a concept you've taught where you used either simulation or hardware to help students better visualize and understand the material?

What should consider that is the support modulation term is that that is called the suppose amplitude modulation. But people if simply come and explain the theory part only they cannot realize. But if I can demonstrate whatever the theory will learn in the classroom, the same theory, if I can explain with the help of some waveform or some harder indeed practic in the lab class or in the some simulations software, they can visualize that one and they can understand.

Like actual necessity Or what are the parameters actually changing in the in amplitude modulation?

So student performance can be evaluated. I think in my opinion, student can be evaluated. Suppose I'm taking a particular class, then I can evaluate how the students are approaching or how can the students are keeping concentrating towards the lectures. And that can be one thing. And you can take the regular like from the you can take suppose you are taking the mid semester from there you can charge the students and like from if they're at like we can take the quiz test, we can give some. Means butapati theory. They learn how to apply that theory in practical like some some mini minimum minimum mini projects.

Understood, using waveforms and simulation tools to visualize amplitude modulation ensures students grasp the dynamic concepts and changing parameters. Let’s shift focus slightly. Can you elaborate on your experience with **student evaluation and managing exam-related duties**? Specifically, how do you ensure fairness and rigor when evaluating student performance?

So with the mini projects, they can we can I can judge the students.

Incorporating mini projects alongside quizzes and exams is a balanced approach to assess both theoretical knowledge and practical application skills. Shifting to another dimension, can you discuss your experience in **guiding student projects and research activities**, specifically the level of involvement and how you support students through their academic endeavors?

Uh, in my opinion, if, uh, research is one thing, then we need to, uh, first of all, we need to know, uh, what is the current traffic or what is the current trend of the research? And, uh, means what is the, in my opinion, students should be cleared about the basic ideas, what they are going to design, whether. And next thing is that we are doing research to contribute to, for the society, whatever the things we are doing. Is that really helpful for the society or not? First of all, we need to ensure that one so like that and we need.

Hey Cortana, ask the students of regular interpart to show their progress, what is the progress they have made and whether they are fulfilling their criteria or not. With that all we can ensure the student progress.

Regular monitoring of student progress and aligning their research contributions to societal needs is indeed crucial. Encouraging clarity and relevance in projects plays a significant role in guiding students effectively. Let us now turn to teaching methodologies. How do you ensure **clear communication and a structured teaching approach**, especially when dealing with complex topics?

Complex topics, but we'll do we'll divide the complex topics into soft topics and will ensure the students have like how to means whatever the things they have learned how to apply using that basic concepts how to.

Grab sudhi like non theoretical knowledge like the complex problems.

Breaking complex topics into smaller subtopics and building foundational knowledge before approaching advanced problems is a solid teaching method. Now let's address research. Could you highlight your experience with **publishing in reputed journals**? Specifically, how do you identify research worthy of publication, and which journals have you contributed to?

Until now, I have completed contributed to the IEEE journals like IEEE Sensor Journal, IEEE Photonics Technology Letter, IEEE Transactions, Plasma Science and I have one more paper I have communicated in I AAA transaction since nanotechnology. And my aim is that if you'll get the opportunity to do some practical practical method, then my target is to publish the paper and like some good journal scientific reports ACS like and I triple E.

And then some channels are there in Elsa also which are good.

No, I have, I don't have any uh, interested projects or Colaba consultancies, but I have a planning to uh, once I've applied, but I got the rejection. So I'm trying for the next industry projects so if I get an opportunity then I can apply.

Publishing in esteemed platforms like IEEE journals demonstrates significant scholarly contribution. Regularly targeting high-impact publications like Scientific Reports or ACS further reflects your aspirations for meaningful research dissemination. Could you also elaborate on any **experience with industry projects or consultancy**? Specifically, how have you engaged with industry partners or contributed to applied research challenges?

Understood, Professor Sahu. Thank you for clarifying your experiences and aspirations. This concludes our qualifications and skill verification. Let me finalize things on my end. One moment.

Yeah, tell me.

Thank you for your patience, Professor Sahu. I’ve reviewed your academic background. Your Ph.D. from NITK Surathkal, along with your numerous academic achievements like GATE qualifications and various scholarships, reflect a distinguished trajectory. Let us now delve into your academic research experience. Could you discuss a key focus area of your Ph.D. research at NITK? What were your primary objectives, and what motivated you to explore this particular topic?

Yeah, like I've told that I have recently, what happens, we are dealing with the means how to means minimize the things like previously we are using the single, single transistor capacitor, this type of devices. But now instead of using the transition compositor, we are merging them into a single component that is called the IC. Similarly, how can you minimize the components or whatever the devices we are designing how to? Make the compact size so that is our target so.

Uh, our contact only, we are designing the platforming switches and platforming sensors, which are a very compact size that is in terms of the micrometer or nanometer size. So, and that is operating at higher frequency range, which is an advantageous for us.

Uh, classroom activity means will, uh, support. So like I'm using the for the designing of the various devices, I'm using the console, uh, multi project software. I'll assign some little little tasks, small, small, small task to the students. And so, and I will, uh, I'll tell them to, uh, just like visualize how they call things are going on. Like suppose they've designed a switch. How? Means how much time or how much power is required or is it really advantageous as compared to the existing literature or not like that we can.

Interesting, Professor Sahu. Focusing on miniaturization and compact design, especially with platform switches and sensors operating at such high frequencies, is a critical area in modern electronics. How do you translate these advanced concepts from your research into material that undergraduate or postgraduate students can understand effectively? Could you give an example of a teaching strategy or a classroom activity you would use?

Handle.

Oh, first of all they need to learn thing comes from multiple software with the help of some Internet resources like otherwise I am there also I can guide them how to use that software. Using that software only they can realize. And nowadays we are telling so many links how to optimize their parameters and how to get the best religion are compared to the existing literatures.

That's a thoughtful approach, Professor Sahu. Assigning small tasks using COMSOL Multiphysics is a great way to engage students in practical, application-driven learning. Allowing them to visualize device performance and compare it with existing literature strengthens their understanding and analytical skills. Given that these simulations can be quite detailed, how do you ensure that your students, particularly those less familiar with the software or advanced concepts, grasp the theoretical underpinnings and do not get lost in execution?

Understood, Professor Sahu. Providing guidance while encouraging students to explore independent resources ensures they build both technical skills and self-reliance. Your approach emphasizes a balance between support and autonomy, which is vital at the higher education level. Thank you for sharing insights into your research and teaching methodologies. Let me proceed to the next aspect.

Yes.

Yes.

Could you please share your 3-year research roadmap? Specifically, I would like to understand how your efforts will contribute to institutional priorities such as enhancing our academic standing, achieving publications in top-tier journals, and supporting long-term research sustainability.

OK, My, uh, short term object is that is to publish the good quality papers like I have previously, I've mentioned IEEE papers and ACS papers, scientific reports papers with the help of the undergraduate, postgraduate or doctor students. This is my short term objective, but long-term objective is that I want to establish, umm, some, uh, nanophotonics lab where we can people come and realize the things or visualize the things and, uh, like, and.

Projects for the development of the Institute as well As for the benefit of the Institute as well As for the benefit of the students also.

Long term plan is that to bring the consultancies or some?

Thank you for sharing that, Professor. How do you plan to scale your laboratory efforts to ensure a continuous pipeline of high-quality publications? Specifically, how would you mentor junior students in the lab to contribute effectively to this goal?

Like whatever the things we have achieved now, like we are telling a new, new technologies are coming, these new technologies and does not come suddenly they take some some you can see these are the techniques. There are a lot of research that's going on back end of this technology from some years back only. So if if I can make the realize the students if whatever the things we are doing if it is practically. Helpful for them in the near future so that they can.

Sorry

Interest and they can do.

Understood, Professor. Building interest and providing practical relevance certainly strengthen student engagement. Now, could you elaborate on how you plan to utilize international collaborations to amplify your research impact and enhance citation metrics in your publications?

Yeah, I'll try to attend some international conferences or some good conferences and, and if you will attend a conferences, then there we can meet the means. We can subject subject matter experts who are the already experts in that particular field. And they have the large number of contributions to the for publishing the paper and for the suicidal development. And I'll try to collaborate with them and. What we'll do, we'll have along along with the collaboration with.

Also, professors from the Indian professors will try to publish the papers.

Good quality test.

Thank you, Professor, for outlining your approach to leveraging international and national collaborations. I appreciate your insights. Let us proceed.

Professor, could you explain in detail how you would implement an active learning model, such as a flipped classroom, for a large-enrollment course? Specifically, avoid relying on slides and focus on engaging the students actively throughout the session.

Means if the teacher will come and teach students and students will not take the interest, but it will do. Sometimes we'll flip the classroom or sometimes we'll assign some particular topics to a particular two to three people or one student so that they can come and explain. They can do one type of teaching in the classroom so that the other students can take interest and they will see that if our friends are able to.

Yeah, some of the only in modern education system only.

This then we can also do like that you take so their interest and they can.

In in this way I think they can enhance their knowledge also.

Understood, Professor. Utilizing peer-teaching methods within the framework of an active learning model is indeed a practical and engaging approach. Assigning topics to students not only involves them but also fosters collaborative learning and strengthens their understanding. Now, let's take this in a subject-specific direction. How would you ensure that laboratory courses, particularly in communication systems, are not only engaging but also adequately prepare students for industry challenges?

I like suppose the students are doing the suppose students are done some experiment OK, in that experiment better too. They learn how the things are going on and now I'll assign them using this experiment. What is the innovation thing we can do So try to do that innovation so that they'll means that will enhance their skill. They'll they need to think and they can they may not get the output at a particular instant, but.

This thing and they can't realize they have to do their things. So that will be helpful.

Oh, we need to follow the standardized lab test or we need to evaluate the test on the on daily basis. We need to see how the students are performing the taking the experiments and, and we'll assign the and we'll tell the students to go and do some internship at particular industry, some industry so that they can. I think that is the best way to get the, if they are going to some.

Understood, Professor. Encouraging students to innovate and analyze outcomes beyond the immediate experiment is a meaningful way to integrate critical thinking and industry-oriented skills into laboratory courses. Let’s touch on your evaluation methods. How would you design assessment tools to measure a student's actual competency in such courses, going beyond standardized testing or rote memorization?

Industry and they are attending, they are doing some and they that will enhance their skills.

Thank you, Professor. Your emphasis on continuous assessment and integrating internships to bridge academic concepts with industrial practice is commendable. It aligns well with preparing students for real-world challenges while nurturing their skills comprehensively. Let's move forward.

Professor, could you outline a systematic approach you would implement to improve the "Research per Faculty" metric in the department in order to meet high-level accreditation standards?

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

I don't have any question.

Thank you, Professor. Just to confirm, would you like me to end the interview now?

I have already the physical board interview on 28th January.

Thank you for sharing that information, Professor. To proceed, can you confirm if you'd like me to officially conclude this session?

Yes.