Mr. Ashish Mittal is the Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Sreenidhi Institute of Science & Technology, Hyderabad. He is a dynamic HR leader who focuses on organizational planning by adapting HR intelligence for the future via talent driven solutions, best practice advisory, HR service & strategies for building sustainable & scalable organizations. During his career, he has achieved outstanding results in improving business performance through talent development, performance management, managing business change, building critical business capabilities & leadership development. He did MBA from Southern New Hampshire University (ITM) in 2010. Mr. Ashish Mittal's academic journey commenced at Christ University, Bangalore, where he completed his Bachelor's in Business Management (BBM) with a specialization in Marketing, HR Certification from IIM Bangalore & a Certified HR Auditor from Open University, Malaysia.

Sreenidhi Institute of Science

Can you please provide an overview of your role as the Group Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Sreenidhi Educational Group? What are your main responsibilities and key focus areas within the organization?

At Sreenidhi Educational Group, I oversee all the HR matters end to end for various entities under the Group like – Sreenidhi Institute of Science & Technology, Sreenidhi Deccan Football Club, Sreenidhi One Sports Private Limited, Sreenidhi Sports Academy, KMR Foundation, and an upcoming Sreenidhi University. Take care of talent acquisition from junior roles to leadership roles, talent management, rewards & recognition, compensation & benefits, employees training requirements, performance appraisals, grievance handling, budgeting, build employee culture through employee well-being, employee retention through employee engagement, upskilling, re-skilling & employee development, collaboration between business & education leaders & lastly the most important bit which is investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

How has your background and previous experience prepared you for this role as Group CHRO?

I started my career in a very humble way as Head of Public Relations at The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a NGO that serves mid-day meals to 21 lakh children in 15 States and 2 Union Territories from 67 kitchens in India. Served the Foundation for 8 years, 8 months. My next destination was at Infosys BPM wherein I worked for 5 years in various roles starting from Heading a pioneer & pet project of Mrs. Sudha Murthy – Project Genesis that aimed at enhancing the skills & providing employment to graduates from Tier II & Tier III towns in states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa & Maharashtra. Subsequently moved to a hardcore BPHR Role wherein I was Heading a Business Unit – Technology Solutions Optimisation with over 2000 FTE’s, pan India. After Infosys, I moved to Malaysia & Headed HR for Manipal International University wherein I had hired Academic Talent Globally along with implementing some of the best HR practices in the Education Industry. Leveraged Technology to increase the bottom line revenues. Above rich & diverse experiences have helped me in shaping my career & I sincerely thank all my previous Organizations & the people I have worked with.

Sreenidhi Educational Group is a prominent institution in the education sector. What unique challenges and opportunities do you face as the CHRO of an educational institution, and how do you plan to address them?

The challenges faced by this institute include Shortage of good Academicians – Compensation, Flexibility, working conditions, a lack of support and autonomy, and changing curriculum are some of the contributors. Additionally, there aren't nearly as many people interested in pursuing a career in Education as earlier, Retention of Faculty Members who are exemplary.

Employee engagement is crucial for the success of any organization. How do you promote a positive work culture and foster a sense of belonging among employees at Sreenidhi Educational Group?

Promoting a positive work culture and fostering a sense of belonging requires a thoughtful and consistent approach that involves both administrators and faculty. By implementing strategies, you can create an Organisation where all stakeholders feel a strong sense of belonging and work together to promote a positive and supportive culture. Cultivating such a culture is an ongoing effort that requires commitment and participation from everyone involved.

As technology continues to reshape the educational landscape, how do you ensure that the workforce remains adaptable and equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly changing environment?

Ensuring that the workforce remains adaptable and equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly changing educational environment requires a combination of proactive measures from various stakeholders. Here are some strategies to achieve this: Continuous Professional Development, Collaboration and Networking, Technology Integration in Education, Encourage Lifelong Learning, Partnerships with Industry, Emphasize Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving, Foster a Growth Mindset, Institutional Support, Flexible Learning Models, Embrace Emerging Technologies, Monitor Technological Trends, and Evaluation and Feedback. 

Employee development and training play a significant role in organizational growth. How does Sreenidhi Educational Group prioritize and invest in employee learning and development?

Promoting employee development and training is crucial for organizational growth as it helps employees acquire new skills, enhances their performance, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges for the education sector. How did your HR department handle the transition to remote work and support employees during this time?

The HR department worked proactively round the clock to provide any kind of assistance needed by any employee in the Organisation during the COVID days. The HR department focussed on establishing clear and regular communication channels to keep employees informed about the latest updates, guidelines, and policies related to remote work arrangements, developed and communicated remote work policies and guidelines to ensure consistency and expectations for employees working from home, it collaborated with IT departments to ensure employees had the necessary technology, tools, and support to work remotely effectively, it has offered training sessions and resources to help employees adapt to remote work, use virtual collaboration tools, and maintain productivity and well-being while working from home. The department encourages managers to be flexible and understanding of employees' personal situations and challenges, especially concerning work-life balance. It has played a critical role in developing crisis management plans and supporting employees in the event of illness or other emergency situations.

Diversity and inclusion are crucial components of a thriving workplace. How does Sreenidhi Educational Group promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization?

Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within an organization requires a comprehensive and intentional approach that involves everyone in the organization, from leadership to employees. Some strategies used to foster DEI include Leadership Commitment, Diverse Hiring Practices, Inclusive Policies, Diversity Training, Employee Resource Groups, Inclusive Leadership Development, Mentorship and Sponsorship Programs, Accessibility and Accommodation, and Continuous Evaluation and Improvement.

What advice would you give to those who are interested in pursuing a career in HR, especially in the education sector?

Pursuing a career in HR in the Education Sector is indeed a very challenging career as the education landscape is changing drastically & you need to deal with shades of grey. I would like to suggest students to gain relevant education and training, understand the education industry, develop interpersonal and communication skills, stay updated with HR Laws and Policies, gain experience through internships or volunteering and cultivate a supportive and positive attitude. Remember that a career in HR in the education sector can be incredibly rewarding, as you play a pivotal role in shaping the growth and success of educational institutions and the people within them. Be patient, persistent, and open to learning as you pursue your career aspirations.