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Dr. Vinata Sai

Chairperson, Department of Science and Humanities | Professor, English, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Chennai Campus

Qualification: MPhil, Ph.D
s_vinata@ch.amrita.edu
Research Interest: British Literature, American Literature, Gender Studies, English Language, Indian Philosophy, Soft Skills

Bio

Dr. Vinata Sai, Chairperson, Department of Science and Humanities, and Professor, English, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Chennai Campus, is an inspired educator and an ardent, lifelong learner. A good listener, patient, empathetic, optimistic, adaptable, and committed, she received the Vocational Excellence Award from the Rotary Club of Madras East in 2005.

English, irrefutably, holds its sway as a global language and Dr Vinata Sai recognises the undisputed need for developing the communication skills of students. Also, a firm believer in Vedantic philosophy, it is her earnest wish to fortify young minds with values, courage, confidence, and assist them in their self-discovery. Imbued with Amrita’s values of love and compassion, she aspires to make a positive difference in others’ lives.

Dr. Vinata Sai, as a student, excelled both in curricular and co-curricular activities. She served as the Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the College Union and was adjudged the Best Outgoing Student in UG and PG, apart from winning the Best Quizzer and Best NCC Cadet Awards. A “C” Certificate holder in NCC, she represented the Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry contingent in the Republic Day Camp in Delhi in 1985 and also participated in cycling and trekking expeditions.

An avid quizzer, Dr. Vinata Sai has won several quizzes. A few notable ones are serving as an Expert in the Colors TV quiz, Kodeeswari, 2019; the first prize in a quiz on Himachal by TI Cycles, which entitled her to participate in the weekend category of the MTB Himachal, 2011, International Mountain Biking Event; the first and second prizes in Quest, a quiz for women conducted by the Duchess Club of Hotel Savera, Chennai, in 2006 and 2007, respectively; the Sports Quiz on DD (twice) by Dr Narottam Puri. She also conducts quizzes in schools and colleges.

The world posits a strong digital future but the teacher as a facilitator will not be passe is the conviction of Dr. Vinata Sai.

Publications

Journal Article

Year : 2007

A Woman’s Dilemma: A Study of Rachel Crothers’Susan and God

Cite this Research Publication : Dr. Vinata Sai, “A Woman's Dilemma: A Study of Rachel Crothers'Susan and God”, The Indian Review of World Literature in English, Vol. III, No. I (Issue No. ISSN: 0974 - 097X), www.worldlitonline.net.

Publisher : The Indian Review of World Literature in English

Conference Proceedings

Year : 2023

Integrating Technology, Local Knowledge, and Participatory Approach: Real-time Detection System for Mitigating Human-Animal Conflicts in Rural India

Cite this Research Publication : V.M. Pranavan,Sri Lasya Pragathi B,Sri Pavan Kumar G,Sanjeev Aakash,Sakthi Balakrishnan,Vinata Sai,Integrating Technology, Local Knowledge, and Participatory Approach: Real-time Detection System for Mitigating Human-Animal Conflicts in Rural India, IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC),2023.

Publisher : IEEE

Education
Year Title
2010 PhD in English University of Madras
1990 MPhil English Literature, St. Joseph’s College, Trichy, Bharathidasan University
1988 MA English Literature, SeethalakshmiRamaswami College, Trichy, Bharathidasan University
1986 BA
English Literature, SeethalakshmiRamaswami College, Trichy, Bharathidasan University

Additional Qualification

Year Title
2016 French – Levels A1 & A2 from Alliance Francaise, Chennai Also passed DELF A1 & A2
Career Summary
From 2019 Amrita School of Engineering, Chennai Campus
2017-2019 Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai
2008-2015 Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur, Chennai
2003-2008 T SNarayanaswami College of Arts and Science (India Cements Educational Society), Navalur, Chennai
2002-2003 Al Dhiya Girls’ School (Ministry of Education), Sultanate of Oman
2000-2002 T S Narayanaswami College of Arts and Science (India Cements Educational Society), Navalur, Chennai
1999-2000 G S S Jain College for Women, Chennai
1996-1999 Valliammal College for Women, Chennai
1995-1996 CTTE College for Women, Chennai
Session Chair/Guest Lecture/Panelist
  • Delivered a guest lecture on “Promoting Excellence in Learning” at the ATAL FDP on “Collaborative Robots and Drones” organised by the department of Mechanical Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Chennai, 16 December 2022.
  • Delivered a guest lecture on “Promoting Excellence in Learning” at the AICTE-ISTE- sponsored Induction Program on “Value-Based Education System – Current and Future Scenario” organised by Panimalar Institute of Technology, Chennai, December 15, 2021.
  • Chaired a Session in the International Conference on English Learning and Teaching Skills (ICELTS 2020), organised by the Institute of Engineering & Management, Kolkata, December 2-4, 2020.
  • Delivered a motivational talk, “A Journey of Exploration”, to students of DAV Senior Secondary School, Mogappair, Chennai, August 27, 2021.
  • Chaired a Session in the International Conference on English Learning and Teaching Skills (ICELTS 2020), organised by the Institute of Engineering & Management, Kolkata, December 8-12, 2020.
  • Delivered an online lecture, “Into the Unknown: Sequestered but Armed”, for Faculty and Research Scholars, organised by SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), July 21, 2020. The live Webinar was viewed by over 3000 attendees from around the world.
  • Interviewed as a Special Guest on Spotlight for Teachers’ Day, Chennai Live 104.8 FM, September 5, 2018.
  • An Interview Panelist in the Recruitment of Teachers for SBOA Schools, Tamil Nadu, March 14, 2015.

Attended more than 50 online FDPs/webinars/conferences in 2020-21 and many more, earlier.

Workshop/Conference
  • Conducted a 1-day Communication Skills workshop for Staff, ASE Chennai Campus, January 6, 2020.
  • Member, Organising Committee, National Conference on Contextualising Asian Literatures, conducted by the Postgraduate & Research Department of English, Ethiraj College, March 21-23, 2018.

Attended

  • FDP titled ‘Participatory Approach in English Classroom’ organised by the Department of English and Foreign Languages, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamilnadu, August 20, 2019.
  • Orientation Programme for Bridge Course, organized by the Centre for Faculty Development, Anna University, June 20-21, 2014.
  • Workshop on ‘Dictionaries and Grammar – Indispensable Tools for English Language Teaching’, by Alison Waters, Oxford University Press, November 27, 2013, Anna University.
  • ELT workshop for Teachers organised by BEC, 17 March 2011.
  • Workshop on ‘English for Employability’, by Cambridge University Press, January 12, 2011.
  • National Conference on Language and Literature, organised by Karunya University, Coimbatore, November 28-29, 2008.
  • UGC-sponsored Refresher Course on ‘Soft Skills and Personality Development’, University of Madras, July 23 – August 12, 2008.
  • Refresher Workshop on Soft Skills conducted by the CII and the University of Madras, October 8, 2007.
  • Train The Trainers Programme (TTT), (Soft Skills), conducted by the CII and the University of Madras, August 8- 10, 2007, Scope International, Chennai.
  • ‘International Conference on New and Emerging Technologies in ELT’, organized by IATEFL and ELTAI, August 3-5, 2007, Loyola College, Chennai.
  • State Level Workshop for English Lecturers on ‘Communicative Methods for Part II English’, January 21-29, 2000, State Institute of English, Chennai.
  • National Workshop, ‘The Millennium Beckons: Women on the Threshold of Change’, December 17-18,1999, Loyola College, Chennai.
Participation in FDPs/Workshops
  • International Seminar Cum Workshop on “Multi-disciplinary Research in Humanities and Social Sciences” organised by VIT, Vellore, 21st-22nd February
  • International Conference on “Reading Humanities in the Twenty-First Century: Aesthetics, Theory and Praxis” organised by the Postgraduate and Research Department of English, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, 18th-19th February 2022.
  • International Symposium on Educational Pedagogies & Technologies for Sustainable Development, organised by Amrita School for Sustainable Development, 24th –26th January 2022.
  • FDP on “Continuing Professional Development: Practising, Researching and Publishing” organised by NIT Trichy, 12th to 23rd July 2021.
  • Secured A+ grade in the FDP on “ICT Enhanced Teaching Learning and Creating MOOCs” conducted by Teaching Learning Centre, Ramunajan College, University of Delhi and IQAC, Shivaji College, University of Delhi, under MHRD & PMMMNMTT, 18th to 25th August 2020.
  • Attended more than 50 online FDPs/webinars/conferences in 2020-21 and many more, earlier.
Participation in MOOCs
  • Completed the 5-week “DH101: Introduction to Digital Humanities” course offered by Harvard University,onedX, 3rd December 2020.
  • Completed the 8-week “Write101x: English Grammar and Style” course offered by The University of Queensland, on edX, 22nd September 2020.
  • Completed the 3-week “COMM103: Visual Presentation” course offered by Rochester Institute of Technology,onedX, 20th September 2020.
  • Completed with Honors, the 4-week “Business Writing” course offered by the University of Colorado, Boulder, through Coursera, 30th July 2020.
  • Completed the 4-week “High-Impact Business Writing” course offered by the University of California, Irvine, through Coursera, 28th July 2020.
  • Completed the 2-week “The Power of Podcasting for Storytelling” course offered by the University of Wollongong, Australia, through Future Learn, 6th August 2020.
  • Completed the 4-week “Shakespeare: Print and Performance” course offered by King’s College London, Shakespeare’s Globe and British Library, on Future Learn, 3rd June 2020.
  • Certified Topper – 1%, among 2734 candidates, in “Technical English for Engineers” offered by IIT Madras through NPTEL, July to September 2019.
Achievements

Extra-Curricular

  • Expert on 3 episodes of Kodeeswari (quiz show for women), Colours TV, December 2019.
  • First Prize in the Himachal Quiz conducted by TI Cycles and was sponsored to participate in the 7th edition, weekend category of MTB Himachal 2011, an International Mountain Biking event, 1-2 October 2011.
  • First Prize in Quest, Quiz for Women, conducted by the Duchess Club, Chennai, on International Women’s Day, 2006 and the Second Prize in 2008.
  • First prize in Quizzard ’94 conducted by Computer Point, Chennai.
  • The Best Outgoing Student Award in college, at UG and PG levels, in 1986 & 1988, respectively.
  • The Best Student Award from various organisations like the Jaycees, Lion’s Club, etc.
  • The Best Quizzer and the Best NCC Cadet awards in UG, 1986.
  • Won prizes (Twice) in the Sports Quiz conducted by Dr Narottam Puri on Doordarshan, Delhi.
  • Won several prizes in Oratorical and Creative-writing competitions, Debates, Quizzes, etc.

Sports

  • Gold Medalist in 2017 and Silver Medalist in 2018 in 100 m (50–55 yrs. category), at the Chennai District Masters Athletics Championships.
  • Runner-up in Carrom Singles Tournament in 2006 conducted for the faculty of University of Madras.
  • Won prizes in Badminton, Carrom and Throwball events, organised for faculty, in the colleges worked.

NCC

  • Under Officer with ‘C’ Certificate.
  • Represented TN & P in the Republic Day Parade Camp, New Delhi, 1985.
  • Participated in Trekking & Cycling Expeditions, Rifle-Shooting competitions, Advanced Leadership Camp, etc. 1983-86.
  • Received the Best Cadet Award and won 1st prize in Declamation and Quiz, at the Annual Training Camp, 1984.
Key Responsibilities
  • Campus Cultural Coordinator
  • Campus Head, AYUDH
  • Chairperson, Gender Sensitisation Cell & Internal Complaints Committee for Prevention of Sexual Harassment
  • Convener and Head, Selection Committee for Teachers, Amrita Academic Excellence Awards, 2020-21. A Member of the Committee in 2019-20
  • Campus I/c for Amrita IAS Academy.
  • Member – Anti-Discrimination Cell/Women’s Complaints &Redressal Cell/Internal Complaint Cell/, Anti-Ragging Cell, Discipline Committee, Grievance Redressal Cell/Faculty Complaint &Redressal Cell
  • Chief Editor, AmritaVarta
Major Research Interests
  • British Literature
  • American Literature
  • Gender Studies
  • English Language
  • Indian Philosophy
Courses Taught
  • Technical Communication
  • Business Communication
  • General English
  • Soft Skills
  • British Literature
  • American Literature
  • Film & Literature
  • Literature & Environment
Doctoral Scholars
  • Guiding four full-time scholars and 3 part-time scholars
Membership

Membership of Professional Body

  • Member of ELTAI (English Language Teachers Association of India)
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