Dr. Shailendra Kumar has been working as an Associate Professor, Admission Coordinator and DGPC Convener at Department of Management Studies of IIIT Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh and has also worked as the Head of Management Studies Department there. He has done MBA and PhD from MJP Rohilkhand University of Bareilly as part of his education and holds a rich 10 years of work experience in academics with primary research interest in Finance. 

Before joining IIIT-A in 2013, he worked with L M Thapar School of Management affiliated under Thapar University of Patiala at L M Thapar School of Management for 4 years from 2008-2012. Also, he has supervised 4 doctoral research so far and is reviewer of International Journal of Emerging Markets- Inderscience. He has published 30 research papers in various national and international journals of repute. He has also attended and presented 25+ papers in many national and international conferences. Apart from all this, he has organized various workshops and conferences. 

Department of Management Studies, IIIT Allahabad

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

I have an unwavering passion for teaching and learning and this I believe is one of the biggest factors behind my strong connection with the education sector. And over the course of 13+ years in this dynamic, challenging yet wonderful Teaching field, I have come to embrace the Whole Child Education approach. 

Also, the comprehensive and progressive method of education holds the potential to revolutionize the teaching-learning process by reforming policies and methodologies. Recognizing that each child deserves a healthy, happy, safe, engaged, supported, and empowered learning environment is at the core of my commitment to the whole child education philosophy.

Being the Dean of the Department of Management Studies at IIIT - Allahabad, what is your philosophy of leadership? 

As the Dean, I firmly believe in fostering a change-oriented work environment, considering its significant role in organizations and the education sector. And with my dedicated and focused work attitude, I always try my best to maintain a fine balance between transformational leadership and participative leadership. 

I also admire the approach of leading people by inspiring, empowering and engaging them in all required activities, tasks and events irrespective of their level. And whenever I deal with people having different mindset and experiences than mine, my only aim remains to bring out their best performance and potential. 

What are your key roles and responsibilities towards the institutes and students?

My key responsibility being the Associate Professor and Dean is to craft a vision of academic excellence based on high standards for all students and foster a compatible environment that can prioritize safety and health collaboration between students and their faculty members.

Apart from this, nurturing leadership qualities in teachers and staff so that they can contribute to the institution's vision, organizing faculty development programs to enhance their skills and teaching methodologies and managing people, data, and processes to drive overall improvement within the college also comes under the scope of my work.

What do you think should be the Institute's top priority over the next 10 years?

As we are committed to share knowledge, create opportunities and enable students to realize their dreams form the core of our vision, hence I believe that the primary focus of our college over the next decade should be to provide students with an empowering learning experience that celebrates both cultural and material achievements. 

Apart from this, we should prioritize areas where higher education opportunities are still limited. In other terms, our mission should be to awaken youths to "Learn, Discover, Share and Create" so that they can make a positive impact on the world. 

When you joined IIIT - Allahabad, what was your vision for the College and how far have you come along in implementing them?

I joined the institution 13 years ago as a faculty member in the Department of Economics and later took charge as the Principal in March 2016. And my vision at that time was centered on making our college a reliable and responsible hub of higher education. And over time, my vision has evolved to a great extent and we have recently introduced 2 undergraduate courses including B.Sc. and B.Com (Hons.), and now we are soon planning to introduce an Integrated B.Ed. course into our current. Apart from this, the college has been successful in increasing student enrollment by 10% annually, which serves as motivation to continue expanding our reach and offerings.

What makes your college unique and different from other educational institutions?

Our Indian Institute of Information Technology, prioritizes experiential learning and provides students with best possible and valuable learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom setting. 

Apart from this, internships are offered to students by the college in renowned companies where they collaborate with professors and industry experts and work on amazing research projects. Last but not the least, we have made enough arrangements to organize extracurricular activities to enhance students skills and provide them a platform to showcase their unique talents.

What do you see as the greatest strengths of your college?

Our college has an exceptional academic team of dedicated and expert faculty members who are passionate about continuously innovating and improving teaching techniques. In addition to this, we not only impart theoretical knowledge but also nurture students' talents and provide ample opportunities to them for personal growth and professional development. 

So I would say our teaching staff and the kinds of learning opportunities we offer to our students are the main pillars of our college's strength and resilience.

What biggest challenges do you see, both for higher education in general and for your department specifically?

In my opinion, one of the major challenges which higher education institutions are facing nowadays is the need to focus more on providing practical knowledge and skill development programs to students rather than solely relying on theoretical concepts. 

And if I talk about our Department, then the challenge lies in fostering lifelong learning among students and enhancing classroom engagement to equip them with the skills necessary to adapt to the ever-changing world.

Any suggestions which you would like to give to the current youth and aspiring students?

I would like to advise my dear students and ambitious youths of our society that the world is vast, and success may seem distant, but with self-belief and perseverance, nothing is beyond reach. So embrace a strong work ethic and strive to achieve your goals with full dedication and focus. Also, don't forget that success comes to those who are willing to take on challenges and explore the boundless opportunities life presents.