Prof. Umakanta Dash has been working as the Vice Principal of Srusti Academy of Management, Bhubaneswar, Orissa. He holds a rich expertise in the area of Marketing and General Management. He has a total of 20 years of work experience in the teaching and research world and 6 years of experience in the industrial world. Apart from this, he excels in the approach of case based teaching and his major interest areas include Marketing Management and Strategic Management. He has also conducted MDPs for working executives in the areas of Personal Effectiveness, Building Learning Organization, Strategy Execution, Time Management and Quality & Effectiveness through Systems Thinking. 

Srusti Academy of Management

Being the Vice Principal at SAM, what are your key responsibilities towards the students?

As a Vice Principal of Srusti Academy of Management, my prime responsibility is to provide the finest quality education to students and equip them with the required knowledge, skills and competencies that is needed to succeed in the field of Marketing Management. 

Apart from this, enhancing critical thinking skills of young minds so that they can use their classroom learning in the best way possible and innovate new solutions for real-world scenarios. In other terms, I do not just teach them the course material but also guide and advise them about the available job options.

How do you bring in a practical and industry oriented approach towards subjects?

For the purpose of introducing a practical and industry oriented approach towards subjects, I use case studies and real-world examples while delivering lectures to students. Apart from this, industry people are also invited as guest speakers to provide a practical exposure and corporate driven perspective to our ambitious and young students.

Last but not the least, I have given strong emphasis on giving projects to students from time to time and also motivate them to participate in research work, simulations and pursue internships to get deeper understanding of various subjects.

What challenges have you faced while uplifting the education quality of your department?

For us, the biggest challenge while enhancing the education quality of our department was to ensure that our curriculum remains up-to-date with quickly changing industry trends and the syllabus of various courses contains the latest developments and demands of the corporate sector. 

Apart from this, addressing academic and non-academic needs of students on a regular basis and establishing an inclusive learning environment are also a very tedious task for us. And to overcome these hurdles, we are working dedicatedly with each other's support to ensure the ambiance of experiential learning and strike a balance between theoretical aspects and practical application of subjects.

How does SAM enhance the faculty members skills and prepare as per industry standards?

Our college has adopted a number of initiatives to improve the abilities of its faculty members and train them in accordance with industry norms. And to keep them up-to-date with the latest developments of their respective domains, we regularly organize Professional Development Programs, workshops, conferences and seminars from time to time. Apart from this, they are encouraged to participate in research initiatives, faculty exchange programs and collaborate with industry experts to upgrade their knowledge and competence. Last but not the least, we promote a culture of continuous learning on campus and motivate teachers to pursue postgraduate degrees, and certifications.

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Which extracurricular activities are organized by your college to improve the skills of students?

Our college conducts an extensive range of co-curricular activities to improve the skills of students, expose them to real-world challenges and provide them a platform to showcase their unique talents. And this list of extracurricular activities and events includes industry visits, guest speaker sessions and case competitions.

And to make sure all this happens seamlessly, we have developed different student clubs and organizations. Last but not the least, students are engaged in collaborative projects where they work with prominent leaders, experts and to-notch professionals to gain required practical experience and opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. Internships in renowned companies are provided to them too from time to time. 

When you joined the SAM, what was your vision for the institution and how far have you come in implementing them?

My prime objective when I joined the Srusti Academy of Management was to enhance the standards of our institution by developing the culture of academic excellence and preparing students for the future challenges. And to make these goals true, we have implemented various unique policies since the time I am working here. 

How do you establish healthy relations with the students and fellow faculty of your institute?

For the purpose of ensuring a strong, cordial and long-lasting relations with my dear students and fellow faculty members of our college and cultivating a culture of good understanding, I regularly communicate with them through a transparent and trustworthy communication channel and whenever this interaction happens, I listen to them very carefully. And this approach also helps us to ensure that every person of our college feels esteemed and heard. Apart from all this, I always remain open to any kind of suggestions and feedback coming from them. 

Any valuable advice which you would like to give to the students for a prosperous career ahead?

I would like to advise my dear students to give special attention to their studies and continuous learning as both are important for their personal and professional growth. Along with this, maintain a strong professional network and pursue your passion with complete perseverance and resilience.