Dr. S. Chitra is presently serving as HOD Commerce at SRM Institute of Technology – [SRM IST], Chennai. Having a rich experience of working as Lecturer, Assistant Professor and Head, she is an active advisory member of various academic councils and bodies. With areas of research in Finance, Human Resource Management, Marketing and Law, she has published several papers in different national and international journals and conferences. Also, she has organized and conducted a number of workshops and seminars, and was awarded as Best Faculty for the Year 2015-2016 by Cognizant Technologies.

SRMIST Chennai

How would you describe your leadership style? 

“Participation and accountability of team members is must”

I would describe my leadership style as participatory leadership. I encourage faculty to participate in the decision-making process and seek their opinions for better outcomes. I believe this approach is useful in time management as well as tasks being done with utmost responsibility, as it is my fellow colleagues who decide the target and complete it. When they set their own targets, they get motivated and strive to complete the same. 

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

“Meeting industrial requirements through LOCF and expert advisory”

To ensure best practices in the industry, we have successfully implemented Learning Outcome Based Curriculum Framework (LOCF). It not only imparts subject knowledge but also brings out hidden talents of the young minds and makes the teaching learning process more learner centric, thereby enabling students to apply them in reality to solve the problems faced by the industry. We have various corporate executives as board members as well who suggest industry related activities to be incorporated in the program. We follow their instructions and arrange various training and internships for our students. 

Any suggestions you would like to give to the aspiring students?

“Upgrade your skills and learn more each day”

The industry is becoming dynamic and complex day by day. New technologies and innovations are making the industry and job market more competitive. So, I would suggest they stay updated with industry and develop skills that industry needs from you. Learn a new skill set to ensure you didn’t lag behind in any of the pursuits and keep growing with your hard work.

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What are some valuable insights of the program that you are offering?

“Distinctive Management and Accounting courses to lead the business world”

All the programs offered by the Department of Commerce, SRM IST have its own uniqueness and value. B. Com (General) offers the most contemporary papers that are revolutionizing businesses and trains young minds with skills necessary for business management. B. Com. Information System and Management, is a specially designed course for non-commerce students who wish to make a career in the field of commerce and management. The course is tailor-made with various computer application papers and their relevance in the field of commerce. B.Com (Honors) Professional Accounting is an International Certified Program offered by the department in Association with CIMA, UK and trains young minds in the domain of accounting that satisfies global requirements. B. Com (Honors) International Accounting and Finance is another International Certified Program offered in association with ACCA, UK and ISDC that prepares students to endorse international finance and solve global business problems.

How do you enhance the skills of the students to expose them to real-world challenges?

“Additional events and programs to support skill development”

Every year, a series of events called ‘Intellect and ComFest’ are organized to bring out the hidden potentials of students rather than academic skills. Further, other ancillary events and activities like speakers club, innovators hunt and several other opportunities are created, then and there for students to enhance their skills. Summer Internships, Certification in Tally and Event Managements and Marketing are some of the projects that form part of the program and assist skillfulness among students.

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

“To come forward as a top quality educational institution”

We would like to become an Institution of Eminence and strive to work hard to be classified as a Research University as per the New Education Policy and this will be our top priority in the coming years. We would like to establish an Eco-friendly campus and Family work environment to offer the best education to our students. Resource Availability and Infrastructure development are already on the way to emerge SRM IST as a global institute.

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How do you tend to establish healthy relations with the students and fellow faculty? 

“Better communication and accessibility as the Head”

I make sure of my availability for students 24x7. I ensure students can easily approach me for any sort of issues faced by them and this helps in building a confidence among students and uphold our relationship. With regard to fellow faculty, most of the decisions are not made independently. I will seek opinion from all faculties and the most advocated opinion that conjuncts with institution requirements are taken which helps in maintaining better work culture in the department.