Being in the education industry for 38 years, AVP of Siva Sivani Institute of Management, Prof VG Chari shares his thoughts and experiences

“Management education in a reputed and standard institute in India or         abroad, can provide a very good career path for you. Stay focused.”
- Prof VG Chari

Kindly tell us about your experience in the education industry. What is it that makes it the best industry to work in?

I possess 38 years of total experience – out of which 18 years were in the banking industry and 20 years in higher education. I chose education industry because of my passion for teaching and spreading professional knowledge. I am a 3-in-1 in finance – finance, banking and insurance to the young aspiring managers.

Any of the significant challenges you faced as the Assistant Vice President of Sivan Sivani Institute of Management?

I am involved in policy making and development as a part of top management team. The major significant challenge for me was to build profitable verticals without compromising on our core activity of education. I am instrumental in building International education at Sivan Sivani Institute of Management by bringing various foreign universities from different countries like UK, USA and other countries. I also brought other international education qualifications like courses of Newyork Institute of Finance, CIMA courses from UK and certification courses from Manipal Proloearn etc. I also brought Govt of India, NACEN approval for conducting GST courses. We are one of 20 organizations approved on pan-India basis by NACEN.

How does your curriculum ensure best practices of industry?

We have continuous interaction with industry through seminars / guest lectures / case study handling, from industry professionals. We are associated with Hyderabad Management Association / CII etc. Our Academic Advisory Board consists of many industry professionals. Our viva panels and interview panels have industry representatives who are associated with us in placements. Our students do experiential learning periodically by visiting companies besides their annual summer internship.

What goals do you have in your mind for Sivan Sivani Institute of Management?

SSIM should emerge as a Centre of Excellence for Management Education in this part of the country. It should be a super market of all allied courses which can transform the life of a student and pave way for an enviable international career. SSIM should become the first choice of the corporates – big and small in India. Eventually, it should emerge as a Private University for specialized management education.

You pride yourself on the level of education and responsibility you teach here to students. How do you ensure the quality of education in your institution?

The quality of education stems out of faculty interest and commitment. A committed faculty can turn the class interesting and absorbing by adopting different ways of pedagogy and rewarding the genuine students. We offer our students not just quality education supported with different national and international certifications and value additions which will not only provide just placement but help in building a very good career.

How do you build a positive school culture or climate?

The positive culture is associated with the positive mindset of students as well as faculty. When a student is able to see a good opportunity to make career with what he/she is getting in our school, naturally they are positively inclined to adopt the culture of the B-school. We have good number of events wherein we make the students to plan, organize and conduct the event thus shouldering responsibility of learning management concepts in practice.

How do you tend to establish a relationship with the students?

We have a system of faculty coordinators for all our PGDM programs and such coordinators will ensure not only the conduct of the classes as per time table but also provide any other help required by the student. We also have a system of internal mentoring wherein each student is attached to a faculty mentor who personally supervises the academic and personal development by closely following the student. As alumni. Also, students continue to maintain their relations with the institute in the annual alumni meets and also for any academic help. Some alumni seeking jobs also approach our placement department.

How do you look at the growth of students through placement opportunities available at Sivan Sivani Institute of Management? How do you wish to push the envelope further?

As far as placement is concerned, we are rated as number ‘ONE’ in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in B-Schools category, by various ranking agencies. Most of the students who join through institutes’ placement drive continue to pursue a career for growth. They further acquire new skills / international qualifications (we facilitate them) thus growing in their ranks. Some students also make international career. We have a variety of tie-ups with foreign universities to facilitate online and offline learning and acquisition of qualifications.

What is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

I believe in consultative and democratic leadership as I am dealing with knowledge workers/professionals. I do not thrust my opinion on others and through consultative process and allowing freedom, I make them see the reality and prepare them to face challenges. I do not teach management but I practice management.

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

No pains no gains. You cannot overnight achieve anything unless you systemically plan for it and focus on it with hard work. Do not be arrogant and egoistic. Learn to respect others particularly your parents and teachers because they are genuinely interested in your life and development. Friends are like passing winds and genuine friends are hard to find. Management education in a reputed and standard institute in India or abroad, can provide a very good career path for you. Stay focused.