Dr. Tharun Thomas is a distinguished faculty member with a rich academic background and over 8 years of teaching experience. Holding a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Operational Excellence and an M.Tech in Manufacturing Technology, Dr. Tharun brings a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical expertise to the academic environment. Having served in key administrative positions such as Dean and HoD, Dr. Tharun demonstrates strong leadership and organizational skills. The professional journey includes significant contributions as an Assistant Professor at the Indian Naval Academy and Assistant Manager of International Netherlands Group.His research endeavors are notable, with numerous contributions published in esteemed top-tier journals, particularly in the domains of Quality Engineering and Operational Excellence. The commitment to staying at the forefront of research is further evident through active participation and paper presentations in international conferences. Currently associated with Rajagiri, Dr. Tharun Thomas continues to contribute to the field of Operational Excellence through teaching, research, and leadership roles.

Education

• Ph.D (Operational Excellence under faculty of Engineering)
• Master of Technology (Manufacturing Engineering)
• Post Graduate Diploma In Banking
• Bachelor of Technology (Mechanical Engineering)

Work Experience

• Associate Professor, MES College of Engineering and Technology, Kochi, India: 2022-2023
• Assistant Professor at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala: 2019- 2021
• Assistant Professor, Sree Narayana Guru Institute of Science and Technology, Ernakulum: 2016-2018

Area of interest

• Lean Manufacturing
• Agile Manufacturing
• Total Quality Management
• Innovation Management
• Quality Engineering

Journal Publication

• Thomas, T., & Saleeshya, P.G. (in press). Application of systems approach to assess the effectiveness index of CMMI: a case study in the manufacturing industry, International journal of Business Excellence. (DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2021.10053687)
• Thomas, T., & Saleeshya, P.G. (in press). An interpretive structural modelling approach to analyse the inhibitors of Lean Six-Sigma in small and medium enterprises of India, International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management.(DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2022.10047503)
• Thomas, T., & Saleeshya, P.G. (2023). CMMI based fuzzy logic approach to assess the digital manufacturing maturity level of manufacturing industries, The TQM Journal, 35 (8), 2658-2683. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-07-2022-0235)
• Thomas, T., P.G., S., & M., S. (2022). Assessment of CMMI level of manufacturing industry using fuzzy logic approach: a case study, Journal of Modelling in Management, 17 (4), 1098-1125. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JM2-09-2020-0229)
• Thomas, T., & Saleeshya, P.G. (2019).Application of lean manufacturing practices in banking industry. International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 20 (3), 283-304. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBIR.2019.102713)
• Thomas, T., Saleeshya, P.G., & Harikumar, P. (2017).A Combined AHP and ISM based model to assess the leanness of a manufacturing company. International Journal of Business Performance Management. 18 (4), 403-426. (DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2017.087106)

Paper Presentation

• Tharun Thomas and Saleeshya P.G., “AHP based study on diversion of lean manufacturing practices in industries”, International Conference on Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, (ICMME’2015). SCSVMV University, pp. 052-058, 2015 – The research paper was presented at the International Conference.

Conferences Attended

• Tharun Thomas, Priya Harikumar, and Dr. Saleeshya P.G., “An ISM based model for finding the root causes of eight forms of wastes in lean manufacturing”, International Conference on E-business and supply chain competitiveness, EBSCC 2016. Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, IITK, pp.439, 2016 - The research paper was forwarded and published in the conference proceedings.
• Participated in the professional development program on “Enabling Entrepreneurship and Startup” Conducted by National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chennai (NITTTR). Oct 17-21, 2022.

Workshop Attended

• Participated in the Workshop on Chat GPT and AWS at MES College of engineering and technology, Ernakulam. May 29-31, 2023
• Organised the Workshop on IoT using RaspbeeryPi by IIT Varanasi at MES College of engineering and technology, Ernakulam.Nov 28-29, 2022
• Attended the Webinar on application of machine learning techniques in supply chain, Amrita University, Nov 20, 2020.
• Participated in the Workshop on lean manufacturing and applications in innovation and new product development, Amrita University, India, July 2017.
• Participated in the Training by ICT Academy of Kerala in concepts coaching, May 2016.
• Participated in the conference of program officers, National Service Scheme, Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Kerala. Oct, 2016.
• Technically trained at Integral Coach Factory, India, Chennai. July 2009.

Certifications

• Completed Online course on Innovation Management authorized and conducted by Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands. July 2016.
• Completed Online course on Project Management of Engineering authorized and conducted by Delft University of Technology, Netherlands. December 2016.

Administrative Roles

• Dean (Placement and Training) 
• Head of Department
• Coordinator of 2 Mega Job Fairs in the year 2022 and 2023 at MES college of Engineering and Technology.