Dr. Deepak Aggarwal is the Director of Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, Indore. He holds an MBA, M.Com., PGDBM, PGDFM, PGDHRM (Finance and Accounts) along with a PhD. Besides his present employment, he has worked at Shree Institute of Professional Education, SS Institute of Business Management, LNCPS SKC LNCT Group of Colleges as Director and was an Associate Professor at institutes like Christian Eminent College, Sanghvi Institute of Management & Science, and Indore Institute of Science and Technology, among others. Dr. Aggarwal is also a member of CEC, a life member and mentor research foundation of India. He has also published and presented more than 45 papers in reputed national and international journals and conferences.

Dr. Deepak Aggarwal

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?

Every day has new learnings and new challenges. The ability to overcome those challenges by utilising learnings and experience self-motivates to keep me connected with the education system. Additionally, the education sector provides the platform for personalised learning, develops innovative teaching pedagogy and curriculum frameworks, and believes in the principle of equity.

Being the Director Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Technology & Management, what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

My leadership philosophy is based on the belief that everyone has the potential to be a leader. It is not a position or a title but rather includes values and ethos. I follow the collaborative and inclusive style of leadership. I believe the best outcomes can come with equal participation. Along with that, I am a strong believer in accountability. To my belief, everyone is responsible for their actions and decisions. I always admit myself as a learner and never hesitate to learn from anyone.

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 education system in India is very different from the education system in other countries. Often, Indian education is criticised for not providing a diverse platform to students where they get an opportunity to learn practically. A practical and research-based approach to education in abroad destinations. Funds, facilities and investment in education. Flexibility in the design of the diverse curriculum.

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How does the curriculum of your Institute ensure the best practice of industry?

Arguably linked industry curriculum is significant as it assists the students in preparing for their future careers by adopting skills that are characteristic of the workplace. This way, learning is made practical since the students can practice addressing real-life issues. This in a way makes the students ready for the market, as it is problem-solving oriented and more inclined toward applications. Having an industry-ready curriculum generates the professionals needed with no further training after the completion of studies and gives them the right equipment for success in the profession from the start.

What do you think your roles and responsibilities to the institutes and the students are?

Honesty and obedience are some of the most functional character traits that promote a good and healthy learning environment. If the students demonstrate respect for fellow students and teachers in their class, then they will have developed something that can translate to good learning activities. Such conduct enables a teacher to reduce instances of disruptions, thus fewer incidences of punishing students, thus enabling effective management of the class. Thus, punctuality shows responsibility and guarantees a timely start of learning for the individual as well as for the group – it would be more effective since it means a reduction of distractions during the learning process.

What do you think should be the top priority of the institute over the next 10 years?

In the next decade, its key goals will revolve around skill-based teaching and learning, preparing competent learners for the market, and improving their employment prospects. Thus, improving student competencies in terms of their real job prerequisite knowledge is the institute’s goal. Moreover, there will be a heightened focus on research, innovation and thinking critically as well. Taking such an approach will not only pave the way for students to get ready for the workplace but also make the institute a center for academic and research excellence.

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

The legacy of the institute belongs to 65 years old. This Lal Bahadur Shastri Group was established by Mr. Anil Shastri the son of the great Leader and Prime minister of the country Shri Lal Bahadur Shastriji. What I think the greatest strength is the philosophies followed as defined by Shri Shastriji. The management believes in hard work, dedication and contributing towards the development of the country’s economy.

What do you see as LBSITM’s greatest strengths?

The institute boasts of several distinct values that distinguish it, and which are cardinal to teaching methodology. There is creativity and originality that act as the foundation of the approach where the students are supposed to think outside the box and come up with unique ideas. Permissiveness of ideas is a great way of developing diversity in ideas while keeping a constructive focus on details is a way of maintaining high academic standards in aspects of learning and research. As a result, enthusiasm continues the learners to acquire more knowledge and information as well as come up with new dimensions of the learning and learning process. Additional features that contribute to the institute’s flexibility are the trends of constant change and opening opportunities for students in constantly evolving professional environments.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see, both for higher education in general and for the institute specifically?

Solving the key problems of higher education, to which the institute belongs, has always been associated with several major spheres. A problem that persists is the recruitment of students because many students have to be convinced to enrol in a course and remain in it. Providing quality education may be one of the most important goals of education, but sustaining this may be quite challenging, even with cash constraints. The interference of authorities in politics violates the institutions’ independence and decision-making. This causes poor infrastructure and facilities to be in place, which affects learning in classrooms and research output affects growth and advancement in knowledge. It also raises the tendency of failure, misuse of resources and a lack of accountability within the institution.

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

My message to the current youth and aspiring students is that they ought to reason before they act. It is terrible not to take your direction but just follow others and emulate them. The development of personal values creates a record of principles by which one is to exercise high standards of performance in decision-making. Do not get carried away by many people’s actions, what is important is to be unique, follow what is right for you and make decisions warranted by your individualism.