Dr. Daniel Penkar is the Director at Sinhgad Institute of Management. He has a rich experience of more than 35 years, which includes 13 years and above as Director. He owns degrees of Post-graduation in commerce, economics, and management, a doctorate in management, and D. Litt. In management as well. He authored 13 books, 60 International and national research papers. He is a renowned PhD. Guide guiding, 9 Ph.D. research scholars and 5 M. Phil. students. He was also awarded several times including 21 state and national level awards. 

Sinhgad Institute of Management

What is your philosophy of leadership?

“My style of leadership includes “Lead by example”

Good leadership requires many competencies such as decisiveness and motivation. I think the role of the teacher is also being the lead learner, leading and showing students what it is to learn, and then learning never stops. For me the key characteristics involved in being a good leader will surely include teaching my students to set their priorities, dedications, having ambitions in their career, integrity, and instill the power of taking initiative.

How do you strategize for the marketing and administration of your school?

“Constant interactions using social media platforms, annual gatherings, and official website”

Efforts taken were redesigning and upgrading our website from time to time. Allowing for greater responsiveness across the devices and platforms which promote and project us. So, right from using video marketing & taking advantage of social media in creating awareness and streamlining the online/offline admission process. Further by rigorously publicizing the biggest socio-cultural and techno-management event as Karandak, we have been at the forefront in publicizing our image and generating cohesive branding and communications. Not only that we have not also overlooked the minute details of ensuring proper communication channels with parents and alumni. 

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

“Enhance the employability skills by providing quality education & special training in soft-skills development”

We believe that our curriculum is responsible to cater to industry needs and provide the students with the right skills for employment needed to meet the demands of the changing industry. Our emphasis is to make students competent to meet the requirements of global competitiveness and their placements. We introduced Industry- Institute interface programs wherein professional sessions from industry experts and subsequently industrial visits are added to our regular time table. Apart from this, we designed an exclusive student training program where we trained students on aptitude, vocal-written skills and took extra efforts in improving their personality development.

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What is your opinion on the New Education Policy 2020?

“Adult education and lifelong learning is a promising initiative in NEP 2020 giving a more philanthropic touch to education”

Education is all about development and the New Education Policy 2020 is greatly helping to bring this development to society. Online and digital education includes effective models of blended learning, content creation, and its dissemination. More efficient e-learning platforms like Diksha and Swayam should be developed and made available to accommodate the fast-growing technology integration in teaching, learning, and assessment.

Sinhgad Technical Education Society has always given sizeable and tangible contributions in the field of education. Enduring the same tradition, Sinhgad Institutes promises to implement the NEP 2020 to ensure universal access to education at all levels.

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

“Directing the vision, strategy, resource management, and excellence of the SIOM”

As Directors we feel it is important to monitor the progress of both faculty and students towards achieving the objectives of the institute. Our core responsibilities include instilling a flair for research among the faculty members, develop and evaluate the curricula, monitor the teaching methodology and educational materials. Our role also includes building strategies to critically assess challenges and identify effective solutions like instituting virtual classes during a lockdown or arranging virtual interviews for campus placement. All these strategies were absorbed to ensure that we are not stagnated. Finally, this has enabled us in adopting a flexible, optimistic approach & committed to overcoming challenges.

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

“Our focus will be to impart futuristic education and inculcate skill set required for current job industry”

Continuing the quality and meeting the rising expectations of our students, parents, and corporate are the things that matter most. The vision ahead and priority are very clear. We offer industries the skill sets in our students that they are looking for. Our future priority is:

  • Adopt high-end technology to create digital classrooms in every cell phone, computer, and laptop for our students.
  • Blended Learning Methodologies and Approaches
  • Industry-Academia Collaborative approach for multi-skilling and re-skilling.
  • With our focus on research and innovation, we aim to provide sustainable solutions to problems thereby fostering economic growth and prosperity.

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What has been your vision for the Institute?

“My main area of focus is to keep up with high standards and possibly elevate them for betterment”

As the Director when I joined SIOM my first aim was to get connected with my entire faculty colleagues and non-teaching staff. I always attempted to be available for my students and the other fellow beings not only as a leader but also as a genuine human. 

My key focus is on faculty development, as “Great faculty cultivates great students”

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

“Inspirational interactions with vibrant & dynamic technocrats, management gurus and TEDx speakers”

When a new joiner enters the institute, generally he/she gets overwhelmed with the infrastructure and especially our IT infrastructure which is quite obvious. At Sinhgad Institute it’s our purposeful endeavor to lessen the gap between students and the business world. We invite famous management gurus and TEDx speakers, which is a real-life motivation for the student fraternity. Education at Sinhgad Institute is never limited to classroom timetables but is spread across many co-curricular and extracurricular activities. Also, industry-academia interface, sports, and cultural programs in the form of our signature event of Sinhgad Karandak are very well known. 

What do you see as SINHGAD INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT’s greatest strengths?

“Our strengths include a group of high quality, and experienced teachers with methodologies to extract the best in students”

  • We have state of art infrastructure – a lush green campus where we have well-equipped and furnished classrooms with the latest Audiovisual facilities. Additionally, good hostel facilities, playgrounds, and indoor facilities. 
  • Excellent faculty with high coordination, teamwork, and healthy relationships. Reasonable sincerity & co-operative office staff and obedient supporting staff are the major strengths. 
  • Thirdly, hardworking and well-disciplined students. Our students have been achieving tremendous results in academics, sports, and extracurricular activities. They display an “eager to learn” attitude.

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

“Be committed and dare to face challenges, and always have a sense of enthusiasm”

“Positive and optimistic Brain programming” is the success mantra for current youth. Acceptance of the situation, mind-body balancing, and the right attitude, can be the bundle of excellent virtues. 

My message to the youth is “Respect your family values! By family, I do not only mean to say your parents but all those people who helped to shape up your life and career!! Believe in yourself, because you can find a solution to every problem if you have self-belief and patience. Don’t be judgmental or biased. 

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What are some plans that you’re currently (or will be) designing for international affairs?

“Enduring history of educating international students and successful student exchange programs”

  • We believe that an international student brings fresh perspectives to the classroom and unmistakable vitality and a new culture to campus life. 
  • We not only had students from our neighboring countries like Nepal, Afghanistan but also from Africa and the west. 
  • During the pandemic too, we hosted virtual workshops, taking online mentoring and counseling sessions, we also made video’s carrying precautionary measures and methodologies to combat the deadly virus.
  • We also introduced a student exchange program for the 2016-18 batch. Somehow due to external affairs like Brexit, we had to discontinue the program but yes, similar programs are in the pipeline and as soon as the environment normalizes, we will initiate. 

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

“At Sinhgad Institute of Management, we emphasize transparency in work and equality”

Monetary benefits cannot alone be the motivator. Appreciations, kind warm words of appreciation, and sweet gestures boost the morale of the person. Opportunity is given to everyone who presents himself or herself with dedication. 

To nurture future business leaders at the global level, we first strive hard for the wholesome development of every faculty, be it on the academic, technical, or admin front. We believe SIOM is one team having one common dream!