Electronics Communication - Mentoring

B. Tech four year's journey through the under graduate engineering programme students often need mentoring, guidance and counselling from a loving elderly figure. The department has initiated a process of a mentor(Faculty)-mentee(Student) which is to encourage the personal and professional development of a mentee through the sharing of knowledge, expertise and experience. The mentoring relationship is built on mutual trust, respect and communication, and involves both parties meeting periodically to exchange ideas, discuss the mentee progress and set goals for further development.

Mentoring System :
A new system as per NBA guidelines has been established in which a group of 20-25 students are assigned with one faculty. This new system will immensely contribute in improvement of the overall academic quality. The students will be greatly benefited by continuous expert guidance. First year students will have mentors from the department of Basic Engineering & Science and second, third, fourth year students will have mentors from the parent department. Departmental faculties will continue to be mentors for the same group of students till their graduation.

Responsibilities of the Mentor :
Mentoring is more than the transfer of advice, knowledge and insights. The relationship offers reciprocal benefits for mentors willing to invest their time in developing another professional. As well as the personal satisfaction of sharing their skills and experience with a willing learner, being involved in mentoring also provides some tangible benefits that can reward mentors professionally.
The mentor will perform the following functions. A mentor can always do more for the benefit of the students.

1. Meet the group of students at least twice a month.
2. Continuously monitor, counsel, guide and motivate the students in all academic matters.
3. Advise students regarding choice of electives, project, summer training etc.
4. Contact parents/guardians if situation demands e.g. academic irregularities, negative behavioral changes and interpersonal relations, detrimental activities etc.
5. Advise students in their career development/professional guidance.
6. Keep contact with the students even after their graduation.
7. Intimate HOD and suggest if any administrative action is called for.
8. Maintain a detail progressive record of the student (format attached).
9. Maintain a brief but clear record of all discussions with students.

HOD: The HOD will,

1. Meet all mentor of his/her department at least once a month to review proper implementation of the system
2. Advice mentors wherever necessary.
3. Initiate administrative action on a student when necessary.
4. Keep the head of the institute informed.

Type of Mentoring done are:

• Professional Guidance - regarding professional goals, selection of career, higher education.
• Career advancement - regarding self-employment opportunities, entrepreneurship development, morale, honesty and integrity required for career growth.
• Course work specific - regarding attendance and performance in present semester and overall performance in the previous semester.
• Lab specific - regarding Do's and Dont's in the lab.

Academic Committee
Institute's academic committee will discuss mentoring related issues at least twice in a semester during its meetings and revise/upgrade the system if necessary.

Effective mentoring begins with the faculty and depends on the healthy relationship between faculty and students. Department assign faculties (acts as faculty advisors) for providing guidance for each year during admission till the graduation for same batch.

To maintain personal details of the students including their address, contact numbers, overall academic performance and progress. It will help the FA in monitoring the academic growth of the students. It will also help the College in tracer studies of the alumni. The faculty advisors perform the following functions:

1. To advise the students regarding choice of electives, projects, summer training, etc.
2. To counsel and motivate the students in all academic matters-direct or indirect.
3. To guide the students in taking up extra academic and professional activities for value addition as a member of the society.
4. To contact the parents / guardians of the students in case of their academic irregularities, behavioural changes, etc, through the Head of the Department or College.
5. To advise Principal / Director of the College in matters of leave or absence, official recommendation etc.
6. To advise the students in matters of their career.