Dr. Kodlai Venkata Sridhar is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of the MBA programme at Sir C.R. Reddy College of Engineering. With 29 years of experience, he is a highly educated individual with an M.Com., MBA, MHRM, M.Phil., and a PhD degree. He has 24 papers published in national, international, Scopus index and UGC care journals. Moreover, he has written ten book chapters along with 23 paper presentations at different conferences.

Dr. Sridhar has attended 12 workshops and FDPs guided 150 postgraduate students and co-guided three PhD students. He is an editor for numerous journals like Social Sciences, Humanities and Economics, Marketing and Sales Management, Commerce, Accounting and Finance Management, and Small Business and Rural Management, to name a few. Currently, he holds two patents in his name, and holds memberships to associations like the Commerce and Management Association, and the Indian Accounting Association and is a lifetime member of the Education Research and Development Association.

SIR C.R REDDY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

I have been involved in the education industry for over 28 years. I am deeply interested in teaching, engaging in student activities, and conducting research. In addition, it is imperative for me to continually enhance my skill set and stay abreast of current developments in the field of business. I firmly assert that information literacy and the exchange of experiences among instructors are crucial components. Enhancing the flexibility and adaptability of education to accommodate each student's individual pace and learning style is a positive advancement.

Being the HOD of SIR C.R.Reddy College of Engineering what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

In my perspective, leadership encompasses the values of respect, honesty, and loyalty towards all individuals. As a leader, I espouse the principles of integrity and commitment, both towards myself and my team members. One of the primary competencies I possess is the ability to foster and cultivate effective teams, since I firmly endorse the efficacy of collaborative efforts. It is widely acknowledged that a team's performance is indicative of the leadership capabilities the team leader possesses. Therefore, I assume accountability for my conduct and that of my other team members, which may have compromised the effectiveness of our collaborative efforts. To ensure the team's success, I will prioritize excellent communication with my fellow team members since it is widely acknowledged in the literature that communication plays a crucial role in team dynamics and outcomes. Drawing from my previous encounters in various leadership roles, I intend to exemplify model conduct and motivate individuals to develop personally. Every individual possesses unique talents and weaknesses, and I must facilitate the development of my team members to foster a culture of mutual support and collaboration. Furthermore, I will actively seek opportunities to learn from my peers to gain insights into areas where I can enhance my managerial skills and effectively lead my team.

The education systems in India and other foreign countries are structured very differently. In your experience, what can an inbound student gain from studying here in your institute?

The Indian education system exhibits numerous merits and limitations, yet the benefits of the system surpass its drawbacks. Some of the key advantages of the Indian education system are its focus on holistic development, and having a broad curriculum. Indian education is comparatively cost-effective and integrates the latest and most modern technology. Additionally, Indian education is ancient and has established a firm foundation.

How does the curriculum of SIR C.R.Reddy College of Engineering ensure the best practice of industry?

Our department encourages students to pursue internships during summer breaks and acquire problem-solving skills. We always encourage students to participate in extracurricular competitions to enhance their skills. Our institution has an innovative counselling process wherein each faculty member is allocated 20 students to mentor and constantly follow their progress. The mentors also keep on encouraging them and suggest ways to improve themselves, as well as provide a friendly student-faculty interface where students feel free to connect with teachers regarding their fears and concerns and prevent the escalation of issues. These are some of the best practices that have enabled us to excel, be better than the competition, and cater to industry demands.

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What do you think should be the Institute's top priority over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, we wish to produce graduates of high calibre for the job market, and to perpetually advance the frontier of knowledge in all disciplines. We also wish to enable our students to ultimately advance human civilization. We are also planning to introduce additional courses in skill development, virtual laboratories, and virtual vocational training. Our college will also integrate education systems and technology to develop digital classrooms.

What do you see as your institute's greatest strengths?

The biggest strengths of our institute are the quality of the students and staff, the faculty collaboration, the level of faculty research expansion, and our excellent graduate programme. All of the stakeholders in the college remain calm in the face of hardship and have a solid work ethic and commitment to quality. We also have a good attitude towards challenges and are committed to seizing chances. We are a learning community where we have the right programmes, student groups, and environments for students to thrive. Additionally, we have established close collaboration between academic affairs experts and students. We openly admit shortcomings and improve; for instance, the administration's openness to openly discuss issues the college faces—such as recruitment, retention, and a lack of diversity enables the rest of us to create strategies for improvement. Our workforce is dedicated and committed, has a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic.

What would you like people to know about your college they may not know?

The history of Sir CRR College of Engineering is rich and dates back several years. We have state-of-the-art infrastructure for the benefit of the students. This inspires incoming students to study at this college and use the infrastructure for their success. We provide numerous internships and practical projects for students to practise their knowledge. We have a wide range of subject courses.

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

The most crucial things I should teach today's youth are communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and adaptability. These are skills that have always been essential in the workplace and in life and will continue to be important in the future as well. They will, however, be even more critical for future generations.