Dr Neeraj Sharma is the Director of the Harlal Institute of Management and Technology (HIMT) and Dean (Planning and Monitoring), HIMT Group of Institutions, Greater Noida. He has a total experience of 23 years in academics and industry.

He has completed MCA, Doctorate in Computer Science and Engineering and MBA in Total quality management. He has been a Member of the moderation Committee IGNOU for IT courses and contributed to MCS-043 in Advanced Features and Distributed Database-Advanced Database Management Systems. He has written five books and published nine International papers. He has also been awarded as “Best Director” by Academic Brand Awards-2020.

HIMT Noida

What is your philosophy of leadership?

“To build leadership competence by empowering everyone with a real innovator’s mindset” 

My philosophy of leadership is developing a positive environment among my faculty members, students, and stakeholders. If the bookends of my philosophy are cultivating a positive culture, the contents within are how to sustain it. I believe in a collaborative, coaching leadership style but practically it’s transformational. 

How does the curriculum of HIMT ensure the best practice of industry?

“By forming strong partnerships between academic institutions and the industry”

HIMT is affiliated with AKTU, Lucknow and doesn’t have the autonomy to design the curriculum. However, the institute is determined to ensure the best practices of the Industry. To maintain best practices we use the following:

  • Collaborate with Industries 
  • Train the Trainer Workshop (FDP sessions)
  • Peer Enablement Programmes: The faculties disseminate the knowledge among their peers, who will in turn train the prospective students
  • Industrial Visits: To provide real-time exposure to students, on regular basis industrial visits are organized. 
  • Soft skills: Along with technical skill, soft skill is most important that is leveraged by industry experts.
  • Centre of Excellence: we are in the process of setting up the Centers of Excellence in our campuses to facilitate training.

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

“Responsible for the overall administration, coordination, and development of instructional policies & programs”

I am also responsible for creating and sustaining an environment of academic and professional excellence and a collaborative working environment. Apart from these responsibilities is to develop, grow, involve, and recognition of employees. Also, creating an environment that is conducive for innovation, positive thinking and expansion. 

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

“To become India’s best top Institution and Centre of academic excellence”

  • Establish Best Research and Innovation Centre
  • Accreditation with higher ratings in all paradigms 
  • Develop, support, and sustain a high-quality and collaborative education workforce.
  • Reduce the impact of high-risk factors and provide impartial resources to meet the needs of all students.
  • Create a strong alignment and partnership with job providers, community and higher education.
  • Extra effort to develop more incubation centre

What do you see as Harlal Institute of Management and technology’s greatest strengths?

“Good learning ambience supported by the inexhaustible library, smart classrooms and well-equipped laboratories”

  • Well Qualified with industry exposure, research-oriented, dedicated and energetic teaching faculty members.
  • Excellent and well-maintained infrastructure.
  • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao special scheme to promote female students.
  • Mentor-Mentee system implemented for excellent Student-Teacher rapport. 
  • Outstanding extra-curricular activities, sports culture, community service programs and outreach activities by students and faculty.
  • Annual Job Fair organized. It is a platform for our students and of other colleges students without any charges.

What are the biggest challenges for higher education in the current scenario?

“The supply of higher education institutes is insufficient to meet the growing demand in the country”

  • Enrolment: The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of India in higher education is only 15% which is quite low as compared to the developed and developing countries. 
  • Quality: Ensuring quality in higher education is the foremost challenges. Colleges and universities in India are unable to meet the minimum requirements laid down by the UGC and our universities.
  • Infrastructure: Poor infrastructure is another challenge to higher education. 
  • Research and Innovation: There is inadequate focus on research in higher education institutes. Indian Higher education institutions are poorly connected to research centres. 

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth?

“Hard work, patience and perseverance are the keys to success”

My suggestions to youth and aspiring students are to have out-of-the-box thinking. They have to learn how to learn and be curious about everything. This will be the key source of their learning. They have to become good listeners and to learn the art of asking good questions.

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How do you tend to establish a healthy environment in your institute?

“To create an environment where the student must feel safe, engaged, connected, and supported”

These factors contribute to students’ academic achievement and success.

  • Safety: To have a safe learning environment, students must feel welcomed, supported, and respected.
  • Engagement: To increase student engagement HIMT emphasizes personalized learning. This approach helps students to develop skills including thinking critically, using knowledge and information to solve complex problems, working collaboratively, etc.
  • Connectedness: HIMT focuses that Students must feel connected with teachers, staff, and other students.