Vision as a Catalyst

     What is vision ?

·         Vision enhances organizational excellence and effectiveness.

·         It enhances the commitment of employees towards organization.

·         It helps employees move in a specific direction in which the organization is intending to move. 

     What is Vision statement ?

·         Vision statement is the highest order of goals that takes the organization to the tipping point.

·         It is for long term that can transform the organization and keeps it different from others.

      Why Vision ?

·         A vision statement serves as a catalyst.

·          It plays a pivotal for the success of any organization.

·          It should be clear, crisp, simple and straight and above all jargon free.

·          It must energize employees to contribute their best.

      Importance of Vision:

Vision without action is a daydream.

Action without vision is a nightmare.

                    - Japanese proverb

     GITAM University Vision

·         To become a global leader in higher education.

     Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering

·         To evolve into and sustain as a Centre of Excellence in Technological Education and Research with a holistic approach.

      VIT University Vision

·         We at VIT University will impart futuristic technical education and instill high patterns of discipline through our dedicated staff, who shall set global standards, making our students technologically superior and ethically strong, who in turn shall improve the quality of life of the human race.

     INFOSYS Vision

·         We will be a globally respected corporation.

    WIPRO Vision

·         To be among the top 10 IT and Business Process Outsourcing Services

     Reliance Vision

·         Through sustainable measures, create value for the nation, enhance quality of life across the entire socio-economic spectrum and help spearhead India as a global leader in the domains where we operate

    Alliance University, Bangalore Vision

• To be a world-class University that nurtures talent and catalytically transforms the lives of millions through excellence in teaching, research, service and community development. To uphold a commitment to shaping lives through scholarly teaching and learning, and that which contributes to an equitable and holistic transformation of society at large

    My Vision

·         To achieve Excellence in Academic Administration, Teaching, Training and Consultancy

    What is your Vision ?

Role of Principal/Direcor/VC in Building Institutions to Global Level

Prologue:

When I first joined as a Principal of MITS Engineering College, Rayagada, Odisha I don't know anything about academic administration. When I confessed the same thing to the interviewing board, they assured me "Gopinath, you will learn everything here unlike your previous assignment, where you have to build your own road". I started learning by restructuring, reforming, regulating various institutes starting from scratch to achieving national and global accreditation and achievements. I am indebted to all those managements for giving me the opportunity with abundant trust on my abilities.

I would like to share (from my experience) what is expected from an academic administrator which may be useful for future aspirants!

Role of an Academic Administrator: 

The role of an academic administrator (Principal/Dean/Director/Vice Chancellor) is to provide effective leadership for the Institute/University with focused approach towards development of faculty and staff, teaching-learning material, facilities, developing and managing administrative policies. Involve in strategic planning, developing, administering and management of all UG, PG, Doctoral programs. To implement administrative regulations with exercise of independent judgment and subject to periodic review on the basis of results achieved. Prepare the Institution/University to achieve and maintain National (NBA, NAAC) & International Accreditation (ABET) criteria.

The responsibilities of a Principal/Dean/Director/VC also include

• Administer and lead the faculty and academic resources to ensure that educational excellence is maintained at the best level.

• Promote a proactive teaching philosophy and academic culture & environment to ensure an enriched learning experience for all students and a fulfilling academic career for all faculty members

• Lead academic research and consultancy undertaken by faculty to ensure that the Institute/University achieves a strong reputation in selected academic fields of interest.

• Provide leadership to the College/University Academic Councils (CAC) or Senate and provide information to all the stakeholders.

• Effectively allocate and manage academic resources and promote an environment that directly contributes to faculty and student’s success.

• Collaborate, develop and nurture partnerships with public and private-sector Industries including the other universities (Indian and Foreign)

• Foster the growth of a multicultural community that promotes understanding and collaboration across cultures, nationalities, beliefs and religions.

• Supervise staff for performance review, grievances, and disciplinary actions.

• Motivate the students and staff to ultimately serve the society

Bhubaneswar Musings

Picture Story

Surprised to see an unusual picture! He is neither ‘Modi’ nor 'PK' nor Dhoni!! He is one of the most common men of India. He was our watchman at residence in Bhubaneswar. His name was ‘Sahebo Patro’. Why he is here? Read the story.

Sahebo was a disciple of ‘Guru Purnananda’ and every day evening he recites the slokas through books with a special modulation such that they can be heard even passerby our street. This was a regular welcome tune by the time I reach home from college. 

OK. OK.. what is the story??

One day I observed he was struggling to read the verses, but tempo continued. Curiously I asked him “is there any problem in reading”. “No problem ‘babu’(He affectionately calls me like that) I simply hold the book as a customary practice, I can recite all the slokas without the book” he replied. He also added “But now-a-days I am unable to see clearly the distant objects, persons and managing somehow”. I understood that he needs some ‘eye check-up’ and certainly he might need spectacles even considering his age (he may be 70+). He might have got ‘cataract’ also. We do regular ‘eye check-ups’ for all ‘our’ near and dear. But who will take care of him. Very poor person.

Then I decided to help him. I could not do any service to my both grandfathers (Maternal and Paternal) as my paternal grandfather expired before my birth and I enjoyed my best times with my maternal grandfather as a child, but by the time I was grown up, he was no more. 

“Mousa (we usually call him like this) get ready, we will go to ‘eye testing’ this Sunday” I told him the previous day. With amusement and shock he said “I am not having that much money babu”. “Don’t worry about that” I told him and took him for ‘Eye Check-up’. The Doctor who himself a disciple of ‘Satya Sai Baba’ took nominal fee and informed me that, Mousa was having very high power (-3.5 both eyes) and cataract also started, which needs to be operated after full growth. Based on the prescription I arranged reasonably good quality spectacles and now you can observe a smile on his glowing face! He started again with full vigor in reciting the slokas!!
You may ask, ‘why this story here sir’? Yes, I never tell or canvas my services to society. But once my (Ex)colleague and good friend (Mr.Satya Prakash Dash)  advised me, to use social media to propagate such information as some of our friends may be inspired to do such good works. 

Also I need to mention here about my inspiration from The ‘Times of India’ ‘I LEAD INDIA’ campaign which tells about helping those people around you like ‘Domestic help’, watchmen, security guards, drivers, office boys, paper boys, milk suppliers etc. I have read so many success stories in ‘TOI’ about providing help(No need to spend money, your valuable time only required) in ‘opening a bank account’ (now the pradhan mantri jan dhan yojana), ‘getting a janata insurance’, getting ‘adhaar card’, 'voter card’ ‘creating awareness about various government welfare schemes’ ,'swachh bharat' to mention few. 

To serve the sky is the limit. Let’s Start from our surroundings !!