Dr. Anand Bethapudi has been working as the Professor and Associate Director at the School of Management Studies in Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana. He is a visionary and esteemed educator and accomplished scholar with an illustrious career spanning over 25 years. Also, his impressive academic odyssey has seen him occupy senior positions at renowned institutions across India and before joining GNITC, he has worked as a Professor and Principal at Priyadarshini College of Business Management, Professor and Dean at the ICFAI Business School, The ICFAI University, Dehradun and Raipur.

As part of his education, he has done Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communications Engineering followed by MBA in Marketing Management from Andhra University and PhD in Business Management from Rayalaseema University. His research interests span a wide spectrum, encompassing areas such as customer satisfaction, service quality, and marketing in tourism, travel, hospitality and banking. Apart from this, he has published 70 research papers in various national and international journals, authored 4 books independently and several chapters in other books.

His active involvement in curriculum development and his instrumental role in establishing and promoting skill development programs underscore his commitment to educational innovation. He is also a distinguished Motivational Speaker, with a track record of delivering guest lectures at prestigious universities and colleges in both India and Malaysia. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to research and academia, Prof. Bethapudi has garnered several prestigious awards, including the YS Research Foundation's Excellence in Research Award in 2021 and the Best Tourism Researcher Award.

Guru Nanak Institutions

In your opinion, what qualities and skills are essential for effective leadership, and how do you demonstrate these qualities in your role as a Director?

I strongly believe that several skills and qualities are needed to effectively lead people of different mindset and experiences in an organization or educational institution. First and foremost, a leader in the academic realm should possess a clear and compelling vision for the development of students. Because once a vision is established, it becomes imperative to work diligently towards its realization. And if I talk about my approach here, I make sure that current trends and innovative teaching strategies are regularly updated in the curriculum so that teachers can deliver the best quality education and we can ensure that our offerings remain relevant and impactful. Apart from this, unwavering commitment is needed from a Leader. 

And the biggest factor of why I joined the dynamic and challenging world of education was the sense of fulfillment it offers and there is no greater satisfaction than witnessing a student securing a promising placement in a reputable organization. And from the time I have joined academia which is close to a long time of 2 decades, I have implemented numerous student-centric initiatives, adopted outcome-based educational models, immersed myself in academics and have actively played various roles in different business schools and colleges. This wealth of experience has solidified my commitment and skills that I consider fundamental for effective leadership of my college.

How has been your professional journey so far and what inspired you to join the School of Management Studies as an Associate Director?

I come from a family with a strong educational background, where both my grandparents and parents were teachers, so this upbringing instilled in me a deep passion and commitment for this sector. And my dedication to education extends beyond traditional classrooms, because during the COVID-19 pandemic, I created 35+ YouTube lectures to provide easily accessible learning material to students in areas such as digital marketing and management concepts. I have also had the privilege of delivering lectures at 77 universities across India and Malaysia, which in return has enriched my career with valuable experiences.

Also, I started my professional journey as an Estate Doctor at a college, and later on worked for the Central Government in the National Tourism department for a decade. Post that, I transitioned into academia and started working as an Associate Professor at Christ University in Pune, Gitam University in Hyderabad and Jain University in Bangalore and I have also served as the Dean of a Business School in Dehradun. Over the years, I have taken on diverse roles, including that of a Health Department official for 13 years, Principal of a college in Hyderabad, and handling international admissions, attracting students from 13 different countries to the field of tourism.

Other than this, I have contributed significantly to the academic community by preparing question papers for MBA programs for 35+ universities and colleges across India, organizing numerous international and national conferences and fostering connections with scholars and professors worldwide. This is how I finally landed the role of Assistant Director at this prestigious institution.

How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration among faculty, staff and students within the college?

Ensuring effective communication and collaboration among faculty, staff, and students within the college is a priority for us, hence we have implemented various innovative strategies to achieve this goal.

And our very first approach is that we regularly communicate with every stakeholder through daily or weekly meetings, and each person involved is free to share his/her expectations, suggestions and feedback. We also conduct a variety of tests and events, such as the Lunar Fest National Testing and a CEO competition to have a healthy interaction between faculty members and students. Other than this, we encourage our teachers to regularly integrate real-time case studies in their teaching pedagogies in order to foster active learning and critical thinking. 

Last but not the least, to stay in sync with others and help them on a prompt basis for any personal and non-personal queries or issues, we use digital communication channels, including WhatsApp groups, Google Classroom, and email systems. Online meetings are conducted too as and when needed to comprehensively understand the needs, wants, and demands of our faculty and students. 

How do you prioritize the various administrative tasks and responsibilities associated with your role?

I believe that prioritizing and managing the various tasks and responsibilities associated with my role is a critical aspect. And I have also observed that after transitioning into an administrative role, responsibilities have increased significantly, but my strong foundation as an educator has been immensely beneficial here.

And I am primarily responsible for not only comprehending the needs of students, faculty, non-teaching staff and other stakeholders but also for seeking approvals from the college management, formulating and executing strategies, collaborating with the management, and ensuring that our objectives are aligned with our college goals. Also, my passion and goal of holistic development of students, well-being of teachers and the overall growth of the college has been my guiding force throughout. While administration is undeniably demanding, having a genuine dedication to the betterment of these facets makes the process more manageable. 

Apart from all this, throughout my 13 years of experience as the Department Head, Chief Administrative Officer, Registrar for national stock tourism and Principal, I have become comfortable in efficiently handling the diverse kinds of administrative tasks.

Check Guru Nanak Institutions Courses & Fees

What kind of obstacles have you encountered as a college director and how have you addressed them?

For us, transitioning from traditional teaching techniques to incorporating digital technologies, fintech tools, and business analytics into our curriculum was the biggest challenge. And initially, our department did not have a dedicated computer center, and we mostly relied on other departments for computing resources. 

So ultimately I approached the college management and convinced them to allocate us required infra and resources, and at present, we have a dedicated Computer Center with 70 latest systems 

Introduction of digital boards in our classrooms was another challenge for us because most of us were used to blackboards and whiteboards, and convincing the management to embrace this change was a bit challenging at first, but they eventually recognized the value it brought to our department and approved the implementation of digital boards. And effective communication and persuasion skills have helped me a lot in fixing these hurdles. And I am proud of the progress we have made in enhancing our department's infrastructure and educational tools to provide a better learning environment for everyone involved.

What steps have you taken to enhance the college engagement with the local community and external stakeholders?

Recently, our students and faculty members ventured into nearby villages, where they not only distributed essential medical supplies but also conducted informative awareness camps on issues such as Red Eye.

Also, we have forged a collaborative relationship with Kendra Vidyalaya School, where our experts regularly deliver lectures on innovation and latest technologies. Along with this, we went for an educational tour to an A1-rated school in Uppal recently, where students are already engaged in the learning of Artificial Intelligence, C and Java language and the basic idea here is to bridge the gap between students, local communities and the industry.

Additionally, we conduct business case competitions and invite experts from a diverse range of industries to participate in our academic activities, interact with the students and deliver lectures on cutting-edge technologies like business analytics, AI/ML, and other relevant tools. This engagement not only supplements our students' knowledge but also enhances their placement prospects. 

How do you stay updated with the latest developments of higher education and incorporate them in the decision making process?

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and education, keeping pace with innovations that emerge each year on a global scale is very crucial. And hence to stay updated with the latest developments, trends and technologies, we regularly collaborate with industry experts and also have Board of Studies meetings, which includes representation from individuals at the MD level in leading companies. Their insights and expertise are invaluable when it comes to reviewing our syllabus. 

Participating in campus drives also provides us with valuable insights about happenings of the corporate world as MDs and managers often share their ideas on how students can stay updated with the latest trends and how we can integrate technology and current trends directly into our syllabus. Last but not the least, we regularly use Business Standard, Financial Express, and various journals to upgrade our knowledge and faculty members have reserved a dedicated amount of time to discuss recent trends in business.

What's your approach to building strong partnerships with other academic institutions, industries and big businesses?

It's a well known fact that establishing strong relations with leading industries and institutions to enhance our institution's reputation and create opportunities for students requires a strategic and multifaceted approach. And to make all this happen seamlessly, we first identify partners who align with our values and objectives, then conduct thorough research, and finally reach out to relevant academic institutions and industry organizations that can complement our programs. 

Apart from this, we regularly participate in academic conferences and industry events through networking forums to establish connections with potential partners, exchange ideas, and build relationships. Then we have an extensive alumni network where many of our students hold influential positions in top notch companies. 

Last but not the least, we have formalized collaborations through Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to ensure clarity and accountability and have created joint academic programs, research initiatives, and projects to enrich the educational experience for students and enhance our college reputation. And we regularly promote these collaborations through our website, social media handles and newsletters.