Sir Padampat Singhania University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, Dean - School of Management : Prof. Dr. Sadananda Prusty Interview

Prof. Dr Sadananda Prusty is the Dean of School of Management in Sir Padampat Singhania University, Udaipur, Rajasthan. He completed his PostDoc from Faculty of Economic Sciences from Warsaw University, Poland and Executive Education on Case Method of Teaching and Writing from Harvard Business School, Boston, USA. He worked as a Professor and Dean Academics at Jaipuria Institute of Management Indirapuram Ghaziabad, School of Business (SoB), Galgotias University (GU), Professor’ at the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad (AACSB Accredited), Associate Professor at Goa Institute of Management, Faculty Member at ICFAI B-School Bhubaneswar, and Economist (Manager Grade-B) at Unit Trust of India Mumbai. In the last over 22 years, he held several academic and administrative positions. He also visited IESEG School of Management at Lille and Paris to teach their Summer Class students. Successfully organized International Conferences, Management Development Programs (MDPs) for junior and middle level managers, Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) and a few consulting assignments jointly with the faculty colleagues. 

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?

“Passion for teaching to students and learning from students, and academic freedom to pursue research connected me with the education sector”

Since the past 21 years, I have been in different positions at reputed education institutes. The key factors that keep me connected with the education sector are passion for teaching to students and learning from students, academic freedom to pursue research, incorporate latest changes in the curriculum & syllabi as per industry requirement. I practice the latest pedagogies of teaching & learning.

Being the Dean School of Management of SPSU University, what is your philosophy of leadership and describe your leadership style?

“To set examples before subordinates and measure the performance of teaching or non-teaching tasks”

My philosophy of leadership is to set an example before subordinates. I believe in completing the task first before setting the deadline. Believe in well documented HR policy to measure the performance of teaching and non-teaching tasks. This will create peer pressure among staff members to perform well. My leadership style is collaborative and Transactional.

Being the Dean at SPSU University, how do you strategize about the key programs and plans for the marketing or administration of your school?

“Teach analytic courses and other training for students in our campus”

We started a new program on MBA in Business Analytics with SAS in AY 2022-23 by looking at the recent industry requirement. Our campus also offer another new program on BCom from AY 2023-24 to tap the needs of corporates, especially located in Udaipur. We will also offer the program on BBA in Hospitality & Administration in AY 2023-24 by looking at the demand for management professionals by the hotel industry at Udaipur which is a tourist place. SAS is the global leader in Analytics. Their trainers are teaching our students for global certification. Also, we have experienced in-house faculty members to teach these analytics courses.

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?

“Learn how to work in a multicultural environment and good communication skills from our campus”

Our education systems in India are multicultural, multi-lingual and diverse as compared to other foreign countries. An inbound student will gain much on how to work in such a multicultural environment. Students from Japan will gain knowledge in english and learn good communication skills. Students from Tanzania will learn how to publish good research papers in Scopus Indexed and ABDC category journals when they will pursue their PhD program here at SPSU.

How does the curriculum of SPSU University ensure the best practice of industry?

“Provide industry requirements and enhance better placement” 

Our curriculum is designed and developed by the renowned academicians and corporate professionals by considering the fast-changing mindset of students towards entrepreneurship. We provide industry requirements and enhance better placement or incorporating the changes announced in the New Education Policy 2020.

Any insights into how your university could be more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

“Encourage bright students to take admissions and provide them scholarships” 

Our university never discriminates against students on the basis of races and economic backgrounds. However, we encourage bright students to take admissions and provide them scholarships.

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

“To create a conducive academic environment with research focus, and arrange professional communication training programs for students”

My roles and responsibilities are to create a conducive academic environment with research focus, arrange professional communication training programs for students, and give more industry international exposure to students. Our faculty members coordinate with placement team to invite more well-known corporates to campus , increase students’ pay package, and organize more faculty development programs to enhance their skill sets.

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

“To be recognised as the top 25 best universities at National and International level”

Our top priority is to be recognised as the top 25 best universities at National and International level. For this we are collaborating with more industry partners who will come and deliver industry relevant courses to our students. We arrange placement for our students. Inviting international companies to campus for the recruitment of our students. Setting of FinTech lab, SAS Analytics lab, Language lab, and Liberal Arts lab. Trying for academic & research collaboration with reputed foreign universities for student and faculty exchange.

When you first came to SPSU, what was your vision for the Institute and how far along in implementing that vision are you?

“To see the School of Management at SPSU as a top 10 B-School at National Level”

When I joined SPSU, my short-term goal was to arrange good placement for our MBA and BBA students, implementing MBA Business Analytics program with SAS. Happy to inform you of all the above short-term goals we could achieve within one year. My vision is to see the School of Management at SPSU as a top 10 B-School at National Level. As mentioned above, we are marching on the right track to achieve our vision.

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

“ provide career opportunities, and experiential learning from our campus”

Our USP which we would like people to know about our university are as follows. Firstly, experiential Learning through mentorship by leading Multinational Corporations. Another one is global exposure resulting from many MOUs with foreign universities. Finally, employability support programmes to enhance career opportunities for learners.

What do you see as SPSU Universities Greatest strengths?

“Students, faculties and other infrastructure are our greatest strengths”

SPSU Universities’ greatest strengths are its initiative of J K Cement Ltd which is a well-recognised brand. We are offering MBA in Business Analytics with SAS, scholarship to students Rs 35 crore so far, and 15+ industry tie-ups. Students have access to ultra-modern infrastructure supported by Tinkering Lab, Robotics Lab, Advanced Automation lab, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Lab along with Business Analytics Simulation Lab. 100% placement with a good annual average pay package of around Rs 5 lakhs is our greatest strength. 

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

“To get back the concentration of students in teaching and learning”

For higher education in general, we face the challenges to get back the concentration of students in teaching and learning. Other one includes faculty members’ research publication in Scopus Indexed, ABDC category journals, good number of industry collaborations with fortune 500 companies, measures taken to develop the employability skills of students, and setting up of incubation and entrepreneurship cells to promote entrepreneurship. Few of the above-mentioned issues are the challenges for SPSU. However, we are trying our best to convert these challenges to opportunities.

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

“Interact with faculty members, students, placement team, and then take the final decision” 

My suggestions to the aspiring students are not to believe the word of mouth & publicity. Let them visit to the SPSU campus, see the infrastructure, interact with faculty members, students and placement team, and then take the final decision.

What plans are you currently designing for SPSU University international affairs and students?

“Renewing the MoU with Chhiba University of Commerce, Japan, and signing the MoU with Institute of Accountancy Arusha”

We have already signed a MoU with the Indo-Gulf Association and renewed the MoU with Chhiba University of Commerce, Japan. Our campus decide to signing the MoU with Institute of Accountancy Arusha, Tanzania for student and faculty exchange. Also, we set up a Centre of Excellence on Sustainability.

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

“Motivate pupils for personal or academic problems and maintain good relationships”

Here at SPSU, we establish a healthy relationship and environment through well- documented rules and regulations. We encourage and motivate our students. Later, we resolve their personal and academic problems through mentor-mentee activities. Management and subordinates’ relationships are cordial. People are very happy here and most of the employees have been working since the inception, i.e, in the year 2007. It’s a 110 acre green campus with all modern infrastructure, accommodation facility for students and faculty members.

What is the rate of admissions in your university? Has it increased from last year?

“Almost 100% increase in students’ admission as compared to last year”

Almost 100% increase in students’ admission as compared to last year. MBA admission for working professionals is quite impressive.