Dr. A. S. Prasad is the Head of the Department of MBA at West Godavari Institute of Science and Engineering. A highly experienced professional, he holds a B.Sc. and a B.L. degree at the undergraduate level. Thereafter, he earned an MBA and an M.Phil. and is obtained a PhD from Rayalaseema University. Besides his present employment, he has also worked at AKRG College of Engineering and Technology, AKRG PG College and Kanakala Legal Consultancy. Dr. Prasad has published five papers in different international and national journals and attended 11 seminars, workshops and conferences where he presented papers. He has also been a part of three faculty development programs.

West Godavari Institute of Science and 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 25 years of vast teaching experience, ever since the completion of my postgraduate degree in MBA from Andhra University. After that, I was involved in research and completed my M.Phil. and a PhD from Andhra University and Rayalaseema University. Since I am very passionate about teaching, I settled into academics as an academician. I always treat myself as a continuous learner and motivate my students, keeping in mind the industry's needs and wants. I focus on research and entrepreneurship so that my students can serve society. My methodology of teaching mainly focuses on real-time case studies and generating innovative ideas.

Being the HOD of West Godavari Institute of Sciences and Engineering what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

In today's competitive world, the advancement of knowledge plays a crucial role in achieving success. Along with the improvement of knowledge, communication skills are very important so that the students can convey what they want to express. My approach is a democratic leadership style, keeping a space for two-way communication and open door policy. I think these qualities facilitate productive teamwork, so the achievement of the targets will be easier. I give utmost priority to transparency, fair integrity, honesty and accountability with my faculty members in my actions and directions. Moreover, I treat every faculty member with respect and dignity.

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?

Our central and state governments have adopted the New Education Policy, 2020, where we are trying for our students’ 360 degree all-round development. We have adopted changes in our curriculum to make our students grow in logical and analytical thinking. Moreover, we are organising FDPs, seminars, workshops and alumni gatherings, and we are inviting renowned resource persons to mould our students to meet industry needs. We give equal importance to both classroom instructions and extracurricular activities, which facilitate academic and personality development among students.

How does the curriculum of West Godavari Institute of Sciences and Engineering ensure the best practice of industry?

Our institutional best practices would be concentrating on teaching-learning methodologies. Our students are focused on innovation and entrepreneurship from the first year onward. We also believe in continuous learning, as it helps students and faculty develop new skills and updated knowledge according to the industry's needs. We also encourage participation in FDPs, workshops and seminars, as it leads to expanding knowledge by collective caring and sharing.

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

WISE aims to be the best college in East Godavari district. We want to be able to offer the best competitive practices to our students and teachers. Our students are encouraged to do research and entrepreneurship and become capable business people, not only in India but also internationally. For that, we are aiming to build up a strong entrepreneurial ethos on our campus.

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

We have several factors that can be counted as our strengths. We have modern and state-of-the-art infrastructure. We also employ conceptual learning methodologies that are taught by a team of experienced full-time faculty. We offer hands-on experience through workshops and students can practice their skills in our well-equipped laboratories. Our students also complete internships and field trips and have the option to take part in study abroad opportunities. We also promote a culture of research and development for both students and teachers.

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

We have a healthy studying environment for students and faculty, where they can experience the blend of best practices from industry and academia. We also regularly invite industry people and we have eminent permanent visiting faculty to nurture the skills of the students and faculty.

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

I would advise students to gain practical exposure, as it will help them land the right jobs and grab opportunities. They should also stay updated according to the industry's needs and wants. Additionally, they should be quickly adaptable, reskill rather than skill and have the grit and confidence to face challenges.