Mr. Hemant is the Co-founder and Dean of School of Communications & Reputation (SCoRe). After a Post-Graduation in management studies from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He worked with a leading Indian conglomerate, and government and political campaigns. He is a dynamic leader who believes in bringing practical aspects to make students learn. In 2019 he was conferred as a Fellow Accredited Public Relations Practitioners by ASEAN PR Network. Read here what he has to say in his interview.

Dean of School of Communications & Reputation

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

“In simple words – listening, observing and learning”

Education is an area that needs to evolve faster than the students we teach. So I make sure to continually be in touch with education and industry leaders in India and abroad and discuss and figure out the best ways to do it. 

We have tied up with several global institutions and associations that have helped us keep an eye on the latest skills that need to be taught and the best ways to teach them. But the most significant source of our knowledge are our past, present, and future students. We do this to learn what are their motivations and aspirations. Accordingly, we structure our program to suit their needs instead of offering a standard learning experience every year. 

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

“Two ideas characterise my leadership style – Excellence and Compassion”

I co-founded this institute because I am extremely passionate about taking the standards of the PR industry to another level. There is only one right way to do it – to give it your absolute best. I expect the same of my students. We would be doing a great injustice if we allow our students to strive for anything but the best from themselves or from us.

At the same time, I know that the new generation brings in a new attitude and new potential. It is our responsibility to ensure that we help them harness that full potential, but constantly developing learning approaches that helps them do it. 

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How do you strategize about the key programs and plans for the marketing and administration of your school?

“We focus on creating awareness and interest in Public Relations as a career option”

We understand that PR as a field is still nascent, relative to for instance, advertising and other marketing disciplines. Therefore most of our marketing efforts are geared towards helping students learn more about PR, and what makes it unique and rewarding. We frequently organise seminars, webinars and other learning formats to help undergraduate students learn about PR directly from PR leaders. At the same time we create a lot of digital content on our blog and YouTube channel that also helps do the same.

How does the curriculum of School of COmmunications & REputation ensure the best practice of industry?

“Our curriculum constantly evolves with the industry’s requirements”

We keep integrating two kinds of changes:

  1. Feedback from the industry – on the skills and attitudes that PR rockstars of future will need to embody
  2. Excitement for students – the kind of approach that keep students active, engaged and interested and helps them apply the best versions of themselves

Fortunately, we have the best in-house mentors for our students. Our Advisory Board comprises leaders of academia and communications who guide us on our vision. Our Academic Council consists of heads of communications and PR agencies, which helps us stay connected to industry needs, thereby defining our curriculum. Finally, we faculty members who are young leaders in their fields, who bring a great combination of being young enough to connect with our students, but experienced enough to impart knowledge to them. Collectively, these groups help me strategise programmes that help us stay ahead and stay relevant. 

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

“We inculcate excellence to prepare students for their future”

The institute is responsible for creating the best possible environment for the students to learn and harness their strengths. It's our duty to make sure that the best faculty and learning opportunities are available for every student. For example, each year, we ensure that at least 40 heads of corporate communications and PR agencies speak with the students informally. Our program also provides internship opportunities in India's top agencies, access to the world's largest PR summit, Corporate Communications Shadowing programs, and many more. 

The students are responsible for continuously taking advantage of these opportunities. At the end of the day, we want each SCoRe student to understand that excellence is not an option, but the only way.

What was your vision for the institute? Has it evolved over time, and how far have you come along in implementing the same?

“Evolution and improvisation is the key to thriving”

Being the co-founder, I established the vision along with my co-founders. It has remained the same: to elevate the standards, respect, and recognition that the PR business has in India. How we make it happen keeps evolving. 

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What do you see as the institute's greatest strengths?

“Our agility, student orientation and innovation define us”

Our Flexibility: We have consciously stayed away from becoming so big and protocol heavy that we won’t be able to quickly respond to our students’, and in the industry’s needs. Additionally, our Industry Connect ensures that our students get the best opportunities available. Also, we continuously provide innovative experience-based learning to make sure that students stay engaged and interested.

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

“Embrace challenges as learning opportunities”

Nothing worth having came easy. If it comes easy, it’s not worth having. The first few years in PR are incredibly challenging. But pushing through those challenges builds character and contributes to your learning. These opportunities do not come again. So embrace challenges. 

What are some plans that you’re currently (or will be) designing for School of Communications & Reputation international affairs and/or students?

“There are many opportunities we are looking forward to”

We are continuously on the lookout for ways to make our programme more engaging and exciting for our students. Some of the ways in which we are doing that:

  • International Communications Week: One full week of international speakers of PR and Communications 
  • Exchange programmes: with Our institute partners in Berlin, Germany (Quadriga University) and Jakarta, Indonesia (London School of PR). 
  • Dean’s List: Three toppers of the programmes will be chosen for full expense paid trips to international communications conferences in Washington DC, Singapore and Dublin. 
  • PRAXIS: Two day conference organised by the institute where students are flown to the city where it is happening and become delegates.