Driving practical learning at a leading engineering college in Udaipur, Dr. Mayank Patel, HOD–CSE at Geetanjali Institute of Technical Studies, focuses on building industry-ready talent through computer science engineering in Udaipur and skill-based learning in engineering studies across Rajasthan.

Dr. Mayank Patel, Head of Department – Computer Science and Engineering at Geetanjali Institute of Technical Studies, widely known as GITS Udaipur, is deeply associated with technical education in Udaipur and has been contributing to one of the leading engineering colleges in Udaipur since 2009. Dr. Mayank Patel shares that he has been working with the institution for many years and has been serving as Head of the Department since 2019, playing a key role in shaping the academic and professional growth of students in computer science engineering Udaipur and related domains.

Dr. Mayank Patel explains that for anyone who wishes to enter the teaching profession, the most important quality is humility. He emphasizes that a teacher must always treat oneself as a student, because when a teacher looks at concepts from a student’s perspective, teaching becomes more effective and relatable. He shares that if students are not able to connect, it means they are not able to understand what is being taught, and therefore the responsibility lies with the teacher to simplify concepts and listen carefully to students. According to Dr. Mayank Patel, when students feel heard and understood, they naturally connect with the teacher, and once that connection is established, the success story begins. He strongly believes in being humble to all, listening properly, and making things simple, because when this approach is followed, life itself becomes simpler and solutions to problems become easier to find.

Speaking about his inspiration, Dr. Mayank Patel shares that his role model is Swami Vivekananda, particularly because of his vision of integrating national consciousness through education. He explains that proper education is not just about academic success but about awakening a sense of responsibility toward the nation. He deeply resonates with the quote “Arise, awake, and stop not till you reach your goal,” and believes that this applies to every student, whether the goal is to secure a job, achieve good grades, build a startup, or become an entrepreneur. He adds that following such principles not only leads to personal success but also ensures that individuals give something back to society and the nation.

Dr. Mayank Patel shares that he has always been closely connected to Udaipur, being familiar with its surroundings and culture. His schooling began at Central Academy, Sardarpura, after which he joined Kendriya Vidyalaya in Pratap Nagar. He expresses pride in the fact that he is both a student and an alumnus of Geetanjali Institute Udaipur, having completed his engineering from the same institution where he now serves as Head of Department. He further shares that he completed his PhD from the College of Technology and Engineering, CTAE Udaipur under MPUAT, and has been continuously associated with the institute since 2009, making his journey deeply rooted within the same GITS Udaipur college ecosystem.

Reflecting on his childhood, Dr. Mayank Patel shares that he spent a significant amount of time with friends, learning from different communities, understanding various perspectives, and developing social awareness. He mentions that earlier, learning came from real interactions and experiences, whereas today, learning is often dependent on mobile devices, which makes him feel that the essence of childhood learning is missing. He expresses that while he did not face major struggles growing up in Udaipur, his primary challenge during school days came from his strong inclination toward sports, which diverted his focus from academics. He acknowledges that he could have achieved more academically during that time but could not due to lack of focus. However, this realization became a turning point, and from that moment onward, he began focusing seriously on his studies, which eventually led him to complete his master’s degree and PhD.

Dr. Mayank Patel now emphasizes the importance of education and encourages students, colleagues, and everyone he interacts with to prioritize studies, explaining that the time spent in school and college is the most valuable phase of life. He highlights that once this period passes, it does not return, and therefore students must make the most of the educational opportunities available to them. He also points out that lack of proper education or knowledge itself is a form of struggle, and students must actively seek and grab the best education available around them, especially within structured systems like engineering studies Rajasthan.

Talking about his hobbies, Dr. Mayank Patel shares that he has always been passionate about sports, especially team games like cricket and football. He explains that team sports involve brainstorming, strategic thinking, and collaboration, which he finds extremely engaging. He recalls being part of college teams and participating in strategy discussions with seniors and coaches, learning how to plan, execute, and win games. These experiences, according to him, provided valuable insights into handling real-life challenges, as strategy-building in sports directly translates into problem-solving in professional and personal life.

In the field of education, Dr. Mayank Patel shares that his core motto is not just to study but to give something back to society and the nation. Keeping this vision in mind, he highlights the achievements of his students in national-level hackathons such as the Smart India Hackathon, organized by the Government of India, and other competitions like the Agri India Hackathon. He proudly mentions that teams under his guidance have won multiple prizes in these hackathons across years including 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022, by providing innovative solutions to real problems faced by ministries and organizations. He explains that these competitions involve identifying real-world issues and developing practical solutions, which contributes directly to society and strengthens the role of institutions like GITS Udaipur as a contributor to innovation and problem-solving.

Dr. Mayank Patel reflects that if given a chance to go back in time, he would focus more seriously on his education during his early years, as he feels that he could have achieved more during that phase. However, he also acknowledges that this realization has shaped his current perspective and commitment toward guiding students. After COVID, he observed a noticeable decline in students’ focus toward studies due to various factors, including the impact of online learning. He advises students that in today’s competitive world, the principle of “survival of the fittest” applies strongly, and only those who are skilled and prepared in their domain will be able to sustain and succeed.

Dr. Mayank Patel gives a practical example to explain the importance of academic years. He explains that a student typically enters higher education at the age of 18 and completes graduation by 22, meaning four years of study shape the next 40 years of career. He emphasizes that one year of focused effort during this phase is equivalent to ten years of career impact, and even a single day of negligence can result in a significant long-term loss. Therefore, he advises students to work with dedication, passion, and sincerity during these crucial years, because if effort is invested now, the next 40 years become easier, otherwise they become challenging.

Reinforcing his inspiration again, Dr. Mayank Patel reiterates his admiration for Swami Vivekananda and the idea of awakening national consciousness through education. He emphasizes that students should not only aim for personal success but also contribute to society and the nation. He believes that following such values ensures both individual growth and societal progress.

For those interested in teaching, Dr. Mayank Patel again stresses that humility and empathy are essential qualities. He explains that a teacher must always be ready to guide students in any domain, and once students trust the teacher, the impact of that guidance becomes meaningful and long-lasting. He believes that if students achieve success through that guidance, it validates the purpose of being in the teaching profession.

Sharing a proud moment, Dr. Mayank Patel expresses that becoming a faculty member and later the Head of Department at the same college where he studied is like a dream come true. He reflects on the journey of sitting in classrooms as a student and later leading the same department, calling it one of the most fulfilling achievements of his life.

Dr. Mayank Patel concludes with a simple yet powerful principle that he follows consistently: be humble to all, listen carefully, and make things simple. He believes that this approach not only makes life easier but also helps in solving problems effectively. He ends by encouraging students to stay motivated, keep learning, and continue working toward success with dedication and clarity.