Dr. Raghuraj Singh, the Ex. Director of Kamla Nehru Institute of Technology, Sultanpur and Ex. Nodal Officer of the Indian Institute of Technology, Lucknow (IIIT, Lucknow) is Professor & Head of Department of Computer Science & Engineering and Dean, Planning & Resource Generation at Harcourt Butler Technical University (Formerly HBTI), Kanpur. He belongs to Rasulabad tehsil of Kanpur (Dehat) district. He belongs to a family consisting of freedom fighters Late Sh. Maharaj Singh Yadav (Grand Father), Late Sh. Baboo Singh Yadav (Father), wife, son, daughter, three elder brothers, three sisters and their families.

1. Why did you choose to become an engineer?
I already had two of my elder brothers as Engineers and one as a teacher in an Inter College. They wanted me also to be an Engineer. But, I was highly influenced with the teaching of my elder brother as well as a few other teachers who actually inspired me to go for the teaching profession and become a Professor after completing B. Sc., M.Sc. and Ph. D. degrees. But, after completion of B. Sc. degree, my elder brothers advised me to appear for the engineering entrance examination saying that you may pursue the teaching profession in engineering discipline also. This motivated me to appear for the engineering entrance examination, qualify it with good rank, and complete the B. Tech. in Computer Science & Engineering degree from HBTI, Kanpur in the year 1990.

2. Why have you chosen this field of specialty?
On completion of B. Tech. Computer Science & Engineering at the age of 23 years, since there was a boom in the software/computer industry, as per the advice of my family members and friends, I joined the computer industry. While working in the computer industry for a very short, I started realizing the role of teachers in the nation-building particularly by ensuring natural justice and equity as per merit amongst every section of the large community of students, which made my passion/resolve towards teaching further strong and I applied for the post of Lecturer at Birla Technical Training Institute (BTTI), Pilani and was selected for the same.

3. What is your professional experience in your profession?
As stated above, I started my career as Lecturer in Computer Science & Engineering at Birla Technical Training Institute, Pilani in August 1990. Subsequently, in September 1991, I joined C. R. State College of Engineering (Presently D. C. R. University of Science & Technology), Murthal, Sonepat (Haryana). During my stay there for about 7 years, I also got an opportunity to work as Dy. Registrar (Gen. Admin) for one year. I came to Harcourt Butler Technological Institute (Now Harcourt Butler Technical University), Kanpur as Assistant Professor in Computer Science & Engineering Department in November 1998. I also served HBTI, Kanpur as Controller of Examination (January 2011 to October 2014), Head of Department for three tenures of 03 years each (July 2001 to September 2004, September 2007 to September 2010, February 2013 to October 2014), Assistant Dean of Students’ Welfare (January 2005 to June 2005), Chief Proctor (January 2007 to March 2008), Registrar (May 2005 to May 2006), and Nodal Officer of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Engineering College of Information Technology (Presently Rajkiya Engineering College), Bijnor (April 2010 to January 2011). In January 2007, I became Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at HBTI, Kanpur.

In October 2014, I was appointed as Director of one of the prestigious Institution of Govt. of U.P. namely Kamla Nehru Institute of Technology (KNIT), Sultanpur. I successfully discharged various responsibilities of the Director until October 2017 and during this period made significant contributions towards time bound implementation of TEQIP-II World Bank Project, establishment of Virtual & Smart Class Rooms in each Department, long awaited promotions of 23 faculty members under Career Advancement Scheme, infrastructure development, bringing in complete transparency, implementation of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), establishment of Innovation, Incubation and Startup Centre with the financial assistance from the Ministry of IT & Industry, Govt. of U.P., energy saving through solar and LED lights for the campus illumination, installation of Generator, RO, Water Coolers, Wi-Fi campus including hostels, procurement of latest equipment for various laboratories and Computer, ACs, peripherals & software for the Computer Centre, organization of about 35 short term training programs, National conferences, Invited lectures, entrepreneurship development programs, and pedagogical programs etc. and 07 International conferences bringing the Institute’s name & fame in the area of engineering and technology. During my tenure as Director, KNIT Sultanpur, I also had the privilege of being Nodal Officer of Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Lucknow from February 2015 to October 2017, Director (Mentor) of Rajkiya Engineering College, Ambedkar Nagar from October 2014 to January 2015, and Director (Mentor) of Rajkiya Engineering College, Sonbhadra from October 2014 to April 2016. Presently, I am working as Professor & Head of Computer Science & Engineering Department (4th tenure as HOD since January 31, 2018) and Dean, Planning & Resource Generation at Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur (since January 02, 2018).

4. What are the unique and different skills you have in your profession?
Being Professor of Computer Science & Engineering, I am strong advocators of bringing in use of ICT in teaching & learning, and incorporation of ERP systems in various processes for transparency and effectiveness. I always prefer and believe in project-based learning. For my different and unique skills in my profession I have been conferred the best award for promoting Digital Learning Platform by CCSIT, TMU Moradabad during Silver Jubilee Celebration of IEEE (UP) Section, the Fellow award by the International Society of Agile Manufacturing (ISAM) in recognition of illustrious career in teaching, research & administration and lifelong contribution to the field of Concurrent Engineering & Education Technology and the “Dr. Kalam Award” by the Charitable Help Foundation and District Magistrate of Kannauj for excellent work in the field of social service (development of An Internet Browsing System for Visually Challenged). I always motivate and mentor students towards their successful technical/professional career including innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup.

5. Please share your journey of life till now.
I belong to a very small village named Naila Garhi under Raulabad tehsil of Kanpur (Dehat) from where I did my primary education. Subsequently, Junior & Senior High School education from Simaria and Tirwa respectively both under Kannauj district, Intermediate as well as B.Sc. (Maths.) from Obra under Mirzapur/Sonbhadra district where my elder brother was working as a Superintendent Engineer. After completing my B. Sc. Degree in 1986, I got admission for B. Tech. in Computer Science & Engineering at HBTI, Kanpur and completed the degree in 1990. I did my M.S. (Software Systems) degree from BITS, Pilani and Ph.D. in Computer Science & Engineering from U. P. Technical University (Presently Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University), Lucknow in 1997 and 2006 respectively. For the last about 28 years (since 1990), I am serving in the area of engineering & technology in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana and U.P. and had privilege to serve in all possible academic (Lecture to Professor) and administrative (Dy. Registrar, Registrar, Controller of Examination, Chief Proctor, Assistant Dean, Dean, Nodal Officer, Director etc.) capacities.

6. What is your planning for the future?
I will continue to put in my sincere and dedicated efforts for holistic development of budding engineers & technologist in particular and for strengthening higher/technical education in general in various capacities and opportunities available to me in future.

7. Your ways of handling emergencies and the workload.
I am a person of a very cool head having patience and positive thinking. I have a purity of thoughts and actions and fear to the God only. This gives me enough courage and capability to handle emergencies and the workload.

8. What is your routine on daily basis?
On a working day I get up at 5:00 AM in the morning and after completing the mandatory routine work I do Yoga and Pranayaam for about one hour. I read the newspaper and make preparations for my daily engagements. I take breakfast at about 9:45 AM and leave for the office. I come back home in the evening at around 7.00 PM, have some rest for about half an hour, take refreshment and go for a walk of about one hour. Subsequently, at about 9:00 PM, I watch television for daily updates, have dinner and finally go to bed at around 10:30 PM. On holidays, I usually getup late in the morning and complete the pending household works and other activities.

9. Do you have any weakness or strength?
I have strengths like sincerity, hard work, honesty, and responsiveness. I do take decisions and actions with pious mind & heart and never compromise on the things which appear me to be wrong. Towards the weaknesses, I am very emotional and can be deceived easily on such issues.

10. What are your achievements till date?
I have published 126 research papers in International / National journals & conference proceedings, guided 11 Ph.D. (currently guiding 10), 26 M.E./M. Tech. thesis, Editor in Chief of one International Journal, Reviewer of about 31 books, journals, & conferences. I have completed three (03) sponsored projects sponsored by UGC, AICTE and other agencies and guided about 80 projects to B. Tech./MCA students. For one of the project entitled “Design and Development of Internet Browsing System for Visually Challenged” sponsored by the UGC, New Delhi under Major Research Project Scheme, I was conferred the “Dr. Kalam Award” by the Charitable Help Foundation and District Magistrate of Kannauj for excellent work in the field of social service (development of an internet browsing system for visually challenged persons).
I have been associated with various apex professional bodies and organizations in various capacities such as member of Institute Senate, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Lucknow, Member, Selection Committee of Directors, Rajkiya Engineering Colleges at Banda, Bijnor, Azamgarh and Ambedkar Nagar, Member, Selection Committee of Director, Uttar Pradesh Textile Technology Institute, Kanpur, Member/AICTE representative in Faculty Selection Committee, Rajkiya Engineering College, Azamgarh (U.P.), Member of Board of Governors, Rajkiya Engineering Colleges at Ambedkar Nagar, Kannauj and Mainpuri, Member of Administrative Committee, Rajkiya Engineering College, Ambedkar Nagar, Member of Executive Council, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, Member/AICTE representative in Administrative Council, Uttar Pradesh Textile Technology Institute, Kanpur, Member of Expert Committee, UGC, New Delhi for inspection of Universities and Deemed to be Universities, Member, Expert Committee, National Board of Accreditation (NBA), AICTE, New Delhi, Member of Board of Studies, Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology and MCA programmes of U. P. Technical University, Lucknow, Member of RDC, Computer Science & Engineering, U. P. Technical University, Lucknow, Expert in the Selection Committees for various posts at IIT, Kanpur, Member of Board of Studies in Computer Science & Information Technology, MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, Member of Board of Studies, Department of Information Technology, UIET, CSJM University, Kanpur, Member of the Board of Studies, MCA Department, UIET, CSJM University, Kanpur, Member of Executive Committee, Joint Entrance Examination Council, U.P., Member, Academic Advisory Body, ACME College of Engineering, Ghaziabad, Member of Board of Governors, IEC College of Engineering & Technology, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Greater Noida, Chairman, Computer Society of India (CSI), Kanpur Chapter, Member, RDC, Computer Science & Engineering, Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun, Technical Expert, Computer Science & Engineering, U.P. Public Service Commission, Allahabad, Technical Expert, Computer Science & Engineering, M.P. Public Service Commission, Bhopal, Member, Board of Studies, Computer Science & Engineering, Bundelkhand Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jhansi, Member, Board of Governors, Bundelkhand Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jhansi, Member, Board of Studies, Rama University, Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur.
Also, I have been life member of Bhartiya Shikshan Mandal, Uttar Pradesh, Life Member of the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), Fellow Member of the Institution of Engineers (India), Fellow Member of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE), Professional member of Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Senior Member of the Computer Society of India (CSI), Senior Member of International Association of Computer Science and Information Technology (IACSIT), Singapore, Life Member of Oil Technologists Association of India.

11. What is your ability to face the challenges both professional and personal?
I consider my professional competence, dedication to work and positive thinking as the necessary ability to meet out any professional and personal challenges to a certain threshold.

12. Is this your dream job?
Yes.

13. As your profession do you have any preferences?
Yes, My preference is to improve the governance and system of Technical Institutions/Universities. System should provide full freedom/authority with accountability.

14. What is one of your key message/advice to fellow Yaduvanshis?
My message/advice is to fellow Yaduvanshis and others concerned is to dedicate themselves with pious mind & heart to achieve well-defined targets through sincerity, honesty and hard work. Care for the betterment of your near and dear ones in particular and the entire society in general.

15. Your contact details including email.

Prof. (Dr.) Raghuraj Singh
Type-IV/ D-8, West Campus,
HBTU Colony, Kanpur-208002
Email: rscse@rediffmail.com
Mobile: 09415153745

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