Dr. Damodar Gurrapu is the first Vice-Chancellor of Chaitanya (Deemed to be University), Warangal, Telangana. He has a stellar 45 years of work experience in the teaching sector and 40 years of work experience in the research sector in English at different levels in Kakatiya, Satavahana and Chaitanya Universities. As part of his education, he has done MA, M.Phil and PhD from Kakatiya University, PGCTE and PGDTE from English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. Apart from this, he underwent Computer Mediated Communication Training at LLRC - Stockholm University of Sweden in 2000 on a UGC Grant. He has authored 50 books, edited 11 books, published 88 research papers, presented and contributed 60 general articles and 120 radio and video lessons on English. His latest books, English for Communication, Vol. 1, 2 & 3, published by Cambridge University Press were prescribed as textbooks for UG students of Satavahana and Chaitanya universities. Till date, he has successfully guided 32 MPhil and PhD scholars, and also completed 3 UGC Projects. Three more scholars are working for their PhD under his guidance. Additionally, he has delivered 26 seminars, 45 guest talks and conducted 23 workshops. Dr. Damodar Gurrapu has also attended and presented papers at 28 national and 15 international conferences and visited 22 countries including Sweden, USA, Singapore and Italy on academic assignments. He has been a member of 21 academic bodies and associations. And for his amazing work in the education sector, he has been conferred with the State Best Teacher Award in 2010, the President Excellence Award (LC International) in 1998, English Forum Award (Bhavnagar, Gujarat) in 2006, Telugu Tejam Award (New Delhi) in 2015, Pothana Award (Warangal) in 2016, and President of India’s Nominee for Sagar Central University - Madhya Pradesh during 2015-2018. Two Festschrifts were published in his honor by leading Delhi publishers in 2018. And his latest translation of Modi's 67 poems into Telugu has been acknowledged by the PM Office.

Chaitanya University

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

Throughout my career, I have held various key positions including Head of Department, Foreign Relations Officer, UGC Coordinating Officer, Dean of Students Welfare Committee, Dean of College Development Council, Dean of Arts at Kakatiya and Satavahana universities and currently I am the Vice-Chancellor of CDU. And the very first factor which has kept me associated with the dynamic world of education is Technology as it has played a significant role in keeping us connected and has also enabled online learning platforms, video conferencing tools, and collaborative software that facilitate easy communication between students, teachers, and educational institutions.

Then there are social media platforms which provide a convenient space for educators, students, and institutes to connect and share information, particularly in WhatsApp groups. Apart from this, working in the education sector gives us multiple opportunities to attend webinars and virtual conferences and connect with experts of our respective fields for knowledge sharing and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments of the academic sector. Mobile Apps are accessible now and they allow us to engage with students in the best way possible.

In addition to this, I get to learn a lot through the Alumni network of our institutions and when I interact with young minds and see them growing, that feeling is truly unmatchable and satisfactory. Colleges and universities we work with provide us with Professional Development Programs to upgrade our knowledge and skills and collaborations between educational institutions and industry partners that offer us access to expertise, resources, and practical experiences, ensuring that education remains relevant and connected with the needs of the industry.

 Apart from this, initiatives and policies of the Government play an important role in maintaining connectivity with the education sector and promote access to research and innovation for educators and associated stakeholders. Last but not the least, educational research and publications contribute to the advancement and exchange of knowledge in the education sector. And our university provides insights, evidence-based practices, and new ideas to teachers, and researchers, through our five faculty-wise research journals. Hence I would say that all these are the driving forces of my so long association with the world of academics.

Being the VC of Chaitanya University, what is your philosophy of leadership?

As the Vice Chancellor of the Chaitanya University, leadership for me is all about guiding and influencing people through one’s work and there are certain sets of beliefs, values and principles that guide a leader's decisions, actions, and interactions with people of different mindset, skills and experience. Apart from this, a true leader has qualities like integrity, accountability and empathy and he/she knows how to foster a positive culture in an organization. And I am very adaptable in updating my leadership style in accordance with context, organizational culture, goals of my team or institution and diverse academic needs of students.

How does the curriculum of your university ensure the best practices of industry?

Our college conducts rigorous research and analysis to identify the skills and competencies that are in high demand in the industrial world so that curriculum can be timely updated in accordance with changing time and technologies and can accommodate both current and future needs of corporate giants. Another benefit of this approach is that it helps us to prepare our students to meet industry expectations and excel in their respective fields. Also, as and when needed, we collaborate with industry professionals, practitioners, and experts of industries like TCS, IBM, Sunstone, TASK etc. to know their valuable suggestions and insights and ensure that our curriculum reflects realworld challenges and best practices of industries. First and foremost, we offer such courses that are specific to different industries or disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Data Analytics, Cyber Security and Sustainability, to cater to the diverse needs of students and employers and also allow our young minds to delve deeper into their areas of interest.

In addition to this, we provide best possible practical exposure and hands-on learning opportunities including internships, co-op programs and industry projects to our students. Then we use case studies, simulations and experiments to allow our students to apply their knowledge in real-time scenarios and develop essential practical skills. And we also take feedback from industry stakeholders, including employers, alumni, and professional associations, from time to time to identify areas for improvement, revise the curriculum, and adapt to the changing needs of the industry on an ongoing basis. We organize guest lectures, mentorship programs, research collaborations, industry-sponsored projects and Meet-the-Manager programs on a regular basis and also encourage students to participate in real-world challenges, and networking opportunities. On November 24, 2023 we had a talk by Mr Raja Sambandam, Acting Cabinet Secretary & State CIO, Department of IT, New Mexico, USA.

Check Chaitanya University Courses & Fees

How is your university more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

Our prompt support to the students of different races is appreciated by all and we treat every one of them by providing required support and learning opportunities. And as on today we have 174 foreign students pursuing various courses this year, in 2021 we had 122 students and in 2021 we had 386 students from 16 countries, such as Bhutan, Brazil, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Iran, Kenya, Nepal, Oman, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Yemen, and the USA. In addition to this, there are three scholars from Yemen who are doing PhD in Computer Science at our University. Then, we have 180 non-local students from eight Indian states such as Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Tripura and West Bengal.

We also have an international collaboration program with Eastern Michigan University to allow our students to pursue their dreams in foreign land and six students have recently got their visas to study at Eastern Michigan University of USA. Our university is a Founding Member of IndoAmerican Initiative of Consortium for Advancing Indian Tertiary Education (CITI GLOBAL.ORG) of Pune, supported by Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

What are the main objectives of your University towards student growth?

The main aim of our university is to address the evolving needs of our society and nation as a whole by providing quality education and research opportunities to the youth. We aspire to contribute in making India a knowledge superpower by preparing students with essential skills to bridge the manpower gap in Science, Technology, Academics and Industry. We have initiatives such as the THRUST program for students' overall personal and professional development and our university has also maintained strong partnerships with leading institutions and industries, including L&T EduTech for providing them good job opportunities. We create a holistic environment on the campus and also offer cash awards and medals to the staff and students whenever they reach a milestone.

What do you think should be your University’s top priority over the next 10 years?

Our university's primary focus for the coming years will be revolving around staying relevant and innovative in the education sector by adapting to changing needs through updated curriculum, embracing latest technologies, and fostering creativity on campus. Apart from this, providing high-quality and employment oriented education and required support services to students will be our focus. Then, we will prioritize making our campus more equitable, diverse and inclusive, establishing good research facilities on the campus, fostering good relations with leading industries and foreign universities for providing good exchange programs to students and addressing global challenges. We will also work on incorporating sustainable practices and cultivating a culture of civic engagement in our curriculum and programs and preparing our students for a globalized workforce.

When you joined Chaitanya University, what was your short-term and long-term vision for it?

My short-term vision when I joined this University was to introduce Four-Year UG research degree course with multiple entrance and exit options, establish Academy Bank of Credits to align with NEP and have a new campus in Hyderabad. And if I talk about medium-term vision, we have to go for accreditation with accrediting bodies to enable us to go for national funding for our projects and infrastructure upgradation. My long-term vision encompasses offering online courses, integrating vocational education, fostering groundbreaking research, and evolving into a multi-disciplinary university with diverse academic and research programs.

Check Chaitanya University Placement

What would you like people to know about your university that makes it unique and different from others?

Our Chaitanya Deemed to be University has a remarkable track record over the past three decades and we have achieved autonomous status, valuable recognition and “A” grade from NAAC consecutively three times. Apart from this, we have received accolades including Star College Status for seven departments by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Best B School Ranking and Indywood Educational Excellence Award. And all this speaks a lot about the quality of education our students receive encompassing community service projects, open electives, skillenhanced papers, study tours, and at-home library, and summer research programs. The university also facilitates global learning opportunities to young minds and support for getting H1 Visas through tie-ups with reputed US state universities. We even have academic collaborations with companies like TCS and IBM and initiatives aligned with NEP 2020 to demonstrate the institution's commitment to excellence. We have the DBT Skill Vigyan Program, NCC and NSS integration, state-of-the-art labs, and social responsibility initiatives, emphasizing holistic development of students.

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

The greatest strengths of our university lie in our AICTE recognized best practices, such as the inclusion of Case Analysis and Business Plan in every subject of MBA program, sectorial specializations, compulsory management games, employability skills programs, fixed result declaration dates, credit system introduction, continuous grading, and practical-oriented syllabus. Apart from this, we have highly committed and experienced staff, along with a well-educated management team, which adds to our strength.

In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges faced by higher education, including yours?

In today’s modern, dynamic and competitive world, access and affordability, changing demographics, evolving demands of job markets, financial sustainability, quick need to integrate technological developments in programs of colleges and universities, quality assurance, faculty recruitment, and global competition pose some hurdles at different levels. And our university addresses these challenges by providing freeships to meritorious students, adapting to student expectations, timely aligning with job market needs through financial planning and integrating latest technologies into our courses, taking quality assurance measures, ensuring professional development and skills upgradation of our faculty. Any suggestions which you would like to give to current youths and aspiring students? I would like to advise my dear students and aspiring youths of our society to believe in themselves, set realistic goals in life, embrace failures as learning opportunities, be open to new learning windows and develop a growth mindset. Also, prioritize your mental and physical health, manage your time effectively, give back to the community in the best way possible and pursue your passion with full dedication. Practising mindfulness through activities like journaling and meditation will help you boost your confidence and make better decisions. Take things one step at a time and enjoy the journey. Life is unpredictable. Don't try to plan your entire life out. It is normal for friendships to change as you grow older. Just be yourself and right people appreciate you for who you are. Saying no is fine. You don't have to please everyone. When you are anxious, talk to someone you trust. Seek help when things get too much. Stay open-minded to the views and opinions of others. What plans are you currently designing for international affairs of your university? We are planning to establish an exclusive international hostel for our foreign students in order to give them a supportive and inclusive learning environment. We also give full flexibility for deciding their menu and choose facilities as per their own personalized needs. How do you establish a healthy relationship and environment in your university? For the purpose of establishing a good relationship with everyone and maintaining a healthy learning-working atmosphere on campus, we all regularly interact with one another through an open, respectful, inclusive and trustworthy communication channel. Also as and when needed, we remain available for fellow faculties to provide them mental strength and academic assistance and collaborate as well for research projects. Apart from this, we never forget to celebrate each other’s achievements and our Chancellor's accessibility ensures prompt issue resolution.