Dr. S.M. Murali Krishna is the Head of the Department of Management Studies at Vignan Institute of Information and Technology. He holds a Ph.D. degree from Andhra University. He has overall 33 years of experience including 29 years of teaching experience and 4 years of industrial experience. He is a Life Member in National Institute of Personnel Training, National HRD Network, Indian Institute of Public Administration, etc. He has recently received the Dewang Mehta National Education Leadership Award from Dewang Mehta Educational Foundation in Association with World Marketing Congress on 27thDecember 2017 at the Gateway Hotel Visakhapatnam.

Vignan institute of information and technology

Being the HOD, what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

Giving priority towards placements and academics. Monitoring attendance regularly conducting various activities in the department in both technical and non technical to improve their core and programming skills .

How do you tend to establish healthy relations with the students and fellow faculty?

Establishing healthy relationships with students and fellow faculty members is essential for creating a positive and productive educational environment. I prefer to maintain open lines of communication with both students and fellow faculty members. I treat everyone with respect and empathy. Show understanding and consideration for their perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. I encourage collaboration among students and colleagues. Collaborative projects and activities can help foster a sense of camaraderie and shared goals. Invite others to participate in joint projects, workshops, or events. I participate in academic and social events within the institution. Attend meetings, seminars, and workshops to engage with both students and faculty members outside of the classroom. This demonstrates your commitment to the community. I offer mentorship to students, especially those who are seeking guidance in their academic or career paths. I provide constructive feedback to students and colleagues in a respectful and supportive manner. Constructive criticism helps individuals grow and improve without feeling discouraged. I always remember that building healthy relationships takes time and effort. Being patient and genuine in approach is very important, so that my efforts will contribute to a positive and supportive educational environment.

How do you try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects and make it industry-oriented?

To embed a practical and industry-focused approach, integrate real-world examples, invite industry experts, assign projects mirroring real challenges, and facilitate internships. Additionally, incorporate simulations, stay updated on industry trends, and encourage problem-solving. Collaborate with industry partners and foster reflective discussions. These strategies empower students with applicable skills and insights, preparing them for industry success.

What are the best practices offered by the department to the students which help them gain necessary skills?

Any career chosen by the students should be done with great passion in it. Without hard work and dedication towards anything, their dream cannot be fulfilled. Keeping in view of the future life, strong determination, sincerity and self-discipline would help anyone to come up in life.

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How do you strategize the curriculum and how often it gets updated to make it befitting for the students?

Strategizing and updating the curriculum is a dynamic process that requires careful planning and regular assessment. We conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to understand the current trends, demands, and challenges in the field. This might involve industry surveys, employer feedback, alumni input, and analysis of emerging technologies. We clearly define the learning outcomes for the students to achieve for each course. We ensure that the curriculum is aligned with industry standards and practices. Regularly engage with industry experts, advisory boards, and professionals to gather insights and validate the relevance of the courses. We Integrate practical components such as case studies, projects, and hands-on activities that allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. We stay updated with the latest technologies and tools used in the

industry. Integrate relevant software, hardware, and applications into the curriculum to prepare students for technological advancements. We stay informed about educational research, pedagogical trends, and best practices in curriculum design. This can help make informed decisions about curriculum changes. Before implementing major curriculum changes, we consider pilot testing new courses or modules. This allows us to gather feedback, identify potential issues, and make necessary adjustments before a full rollout.

What are your views on the placements and higher education of the students from your department or how does your department prepare students for Higher education?

We provide interview preparation and resume preparation workshops and then go on industrial tours to learn about the real world of the corporate sector and internship with the top MNC companies. We conduct seminars and webinars from the top e learning companies for higher studies like GMAT,TOFEL,GRE, etc.

How do you help your student to cope up with the competition being so high in the outside world? 

Students should be aware of their shortcomings and take the opportunity to learn from others by helping them with tasks. This will give students a chance to find out what they are good at and explore other areas they may like working on more. This is where the idea takes on a challenge that needs both physical and mental fortitude to succeed. The criteria include a small amount of effort and focus, but mind-blowing results. The main idea behind a competition of this kind is to encourage students to do their best work, especially those less talented but still want the chance to win. The goal here is not to make everyone feel nervous or upset by having them work on something which may be difficult or boring. Everyone must work together on something they are motivated by and enjoy doing. In competitive sports, winning is not as important as trying your best. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need to ensure they’re making progress and enjoying themselves. Your classroom should be an environment where students feel comfortable enough to give their all, even if they know they will lose in the end.

Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to real world challenges?

We offer various extracurricular activities to students including Debate and Management Clubs, Entrepreneurship Programs, Community Service and Volunteer Programs, Science and Research Competitions, Art, Music, and Drama Clubs, Language and Culture Clubs: We have created clubs where students can learn and practice new languages or explore different cultures, promoting diversity and cross-cultural understanding, Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives, Internship and Shadowing Programs, Media and Journalism Clubs, Financial Literacy Workshops, Health and Wellness Initiatives, and Leadership Development Programs. These are just a few examples, and the choice of extracurricular activities or programs we align with the interests of our students, the resources available, and the goals of our educational institution.

What are the challenges you faced/ are facing to uplift the quality of education of your department?

Enhancing education quality is challenged by resource limitations, outdated facilities, and tech constraints. Equipping faculty with modern methods and aligning curriculum with industry needs is complex. Student engagement amidst distractions, effective assessment design, and fostering inclusivity demand ongoing effort. Integrating technology, managing global competition, and meeting stakeholder expectations pose difficulties. Administrative processes and change resistance impede progress. Sustaining scalable improvements, quality assurance, and adapting to evolving educational landscapes require strategic collaboration involving faculty, administration, students, and stakeholders.

When you came to college, what was your vision and how are you trying to achieve the same?

I continuously learn and adapt from vast text sources to offer accurate and insightful responses. My goal is to provide helpful information and support various tasks, helping students access knowledge, solve problems, and communicate effectively.