Friday, August 1, 2025

Thank you Devadathan!

The department hosted Devadathan K S, 2015-2019 batch B.Tech in the second session of Civil House conducted on 31st of July. Devadathan is currently working as the Senior Project Officer at Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Devadathan holds a masters in Construction Project Management from Deakin University. He joined online and the interaction was held in the seminar hall of our department. Sreenanda, S7 CE introduced Devadathan and the HoD Dr Kavitha and faculty memebr Ms. Preethi joined in welcoming him for the session. More than 50 students attended the session.

The session provided valuable insights into the professional world, particularly in the field of project management. Devadathan shared his personal journey from being a student at our institution to becoming a successful professional overseas. He elaborated on the key responsibilities and tasks handled by a project manager, and the diverse challenges encountered in a dynamic work environment.

One of the most enriching parts of the session was his honest sharing of the obstacles he faced during his career. His real-life experiences offered a clear picture of how theoretical knowledge is applied in practical scenarios and how critical thinking and leadership skills are essential for managing teams and delivering successful projects.

During the interactive Q&A session, students raised several questions, the first of which was about interview experiences. Devadathan shared that interviewers often ask situational-based questions to assess real-time decision-making and problem-solving skills. He recommended attending interviews offline, whenever possible as it gives candidates a better opportunity to showcase their confidence and interpersonal skills.

He further spoke about the work environment in Australia, mentioning how climate conditions vary across regions and how one must adapt accordingly. He also provided important information regarding exams and funding options required to pursue higher studies or professional opportunities abroad. His insights on planning, preparation, and staying informed were especially beneficial for students aspiring to work internationally.

A particularly inspiring part of the session was when he spoke about his journey through multiple rejections. He openly shared that facing rejections was never easy, but it taught him resilience and self-reliance. He described how handling everything independently helped him grow, shape his career, and become a better version of himself.

The alumnus also highlighted the importance of technical skills in the engineering field. He discussed the growing relevance of engineering software and encouraged students to become proficient in commonly used tools. Among them, he specifically mentioned the value of Microsoft Excel and Word, stating that almost every company appreciates candidates who are skilled in these tools. He noted that Excel, in particular, is indispensable for handling data, tracking projects, and simplifying complex calculations.

Overall, the session was highly informative and inspiring. It not only motivated students to pursue their career goals with determination but also highlighted the importance of networking and learning from experiences. We thank our alumnus for taking the time to engage with us and share his valuable insights.

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Sreelakshmi Pramod, S7 CEB

Department Advisory Committee

The Department Advisory Committee (DAC) serves as an important body that guides the academic and developmental activities of the department. Comprising faculty members, industry experts, alumni, student representatives, and other stakeholders, the committee meets annually to review the department’s progress and to provide strategic directions for the future. 

The external members in our committee are Dr. Subha V (Professor, CUSAT), Er. C. Prathapmohan Nair (International Consultant, UN‑CCD), Mr. Biji Stephen (Founder Chairman, BAI, Angamaly), Ms. Syni Bennyson (Assistant Engineer, Retd., KSEB–Civil) - Parent nominee, and our alumni Ms. Ria Mariam Sabu, TATA Projects, all of whom bring valuable perspectives to enrich the department’s journey. The internal members include the Principal, Vice Principal, Dean, HoD, IQAC Coordinator, Senior faculty members of the department and a nominated student from final year.

The 10th Annual Meeting of the DAC was held on 31 July 2025. The major agenda included a review of the activities conducted during 2024-2025 and the planning of initiatives for the upcoming academic year and the revision of the department vision and mission statements.


The members shared valuable suggestions to strengthen the department’s activities during the meeting. Some of the suggestions included introducing hands‑on learning to make courses industry‑oriented and improve student employability, integrating sustainability across projects and teaching and creating greater awareness about workplace ethics and moral practices. The members also pointed out the need for nurturing a passion for learning and reminding students that their knowledge should benefit society and including more interactions with industry experts to help students better understand job expectations and career pathways.

With such thoughtful guidance, the department looks forward to creating even more meaningful learning experiences for our students in the year ahead.


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Rinu J Achison, AP, CE