An interview with VENKATARAMAN K K - Faculty at PSG Institute of Advanced Studies
· Tell us something about yourself and your institute?
Basically an electronic engineer, moved to management due to profession. Having an industrial experience of 30 years, came to teaching profession because of the passion to teach – share knowledge acquired over the long haul at industry.
PSG Institute of Advanced Studies is a part of PSG college of technology and PSG institute of management, focusing on nano research as well as Indo-German and Indo-US collaborative education.
· When did you join teaching profession? Why did you choose to be a professor?
Joined teaching profession in June 2010, after an industrial experience of 30 years
I had a strong passion towards teaching and I wanted to share my experiences with the students to improve their practical knowledge. I had been in lot of board of studies and also worked with students for project work in my companies, that led me to know that they are weak in their practical knowledge and I thought I could share my experiences in guiding them in their projects which is the practical aspect of learning
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· What about teaching at b-schools inspires you the most?
Though mine is not a 100% B school, I am quite happy on teaching students on the human angle in organizations onece they leave the academics and take up a career in organisations
[/list]
· Which subjects do you teach? Which ones do you like the most?
Organisational Behavior
In addition, I also teach electronic subjects like Devices and Circuits
[/list]
· What is your teaching philosophy?
To teach the fundamentals of the subject. In addition I always quote incidents and happenings in organizations which supports the theory and make them understand the subject in a better way
[/list]
· Do you believe teaching should be more application based than theory? If yes, then how do you support it?
Yes. Exactly the same reason for which I shifted myself from Industry.
I support this by concentrating on the projects in technical subjects and case studies in my management subjects
[/list]
· Who in your life has influenced you the most?
My first boss – who taught me how to handle subordinates and face any situation boldly.
[/list]
· What suggestions would you like to make in the course of MBA?
I find a lot of the students with poor communication skills – this need to be improved through various tools since communication is a vital component of MBA
[/list]
· As a faculty, what kind of projects do you expect students to work upon?
On various projects involved in meeting people outside and understanding their problems and provide solutions
[/list]
· How are current technological advancements changing your teaching style?
I summarize each of my units with a OHP.
All my communications to students on Syllabus, Assignments, class works are on sent to their mail
[/list]
· What is the impact of mobile technologies boom influencing your area of specialization?
Not much. However, I see quite a set of students see my email communications on their mobiles – not more than that
[/list]
· How are social networks influencing your discipline?
Not much since I use them for my personal domain
[/list]
· How does the economy story of India change your discipline?
The major discipline I teach is HR. Though there are ups and downs in the economy of India (& globally too), since happens all around people, it is always interesting.
[/list]
· What changes do you see on the horizon in your area of discipline?
Globalization and the latest technology has changed many concepts of HR. This may become more pronounced in years to come and the students have a lot of challenges to face when they are out into organizations.
[/list]
· One touching incident that happened with you in your teaching career?
Though I am not able to recall incidences, I have helped and supported a number of students to overcome their personal problems with my counseling.
[/list]
· There is a shortage of eminent professors at b-schools. With more and more institutes offering the MBA course, do you think MBA will become just another degree?
Hope it does not happen. With more schools, we will get more students and may be we will also get people from the same pool who are willing to take up the teaching jobs.
[/list]
· Do you think the course curriculum is at par with industry expectations?
Not much, though there are efforts to make it suitable for industry.
[/list]
· If you hadn’t been a professor, what would you be? What are your professional/career goals?
I had been heading the research and development in my previous organizations and I would have continued happily mentoring my subordinates.
[/list]
· What message would you like to give to students across the globe?
To take the practical aspects of the learning – Projects and case studies more seriously so that the learning lasts for ever
[/list]
· Any feedback for ManagementParadise.com?
ManagementParadise is doing a good job of giving lot of inputs to management community. I wish them all success.
[/list]
. How can our readers contact you? Facebook or Twitter Id .
Through my email id ([email protected]) since I use the facebook and twitter for my personal contacts.
[/list]
· Tell us something about yourself and your institute?
Basically an electronic engineer, moved to management due to profession. Having an industrial experience of 30 years, came to teaching profession because of the passion to teach – share knowledge acquired over the long haul at industry.
PSG Institute of Advanced Studies is a part of PSG college of technology and PSG institute of management, focusing on nano research as well as Indo-German and Indo-US collaborative education.
· When did you join teaching profession? Why did you choose to be a professor?
Joined teaching profession in June 2010, after an industrial experience of 30 years
I had a strong passion towards teaching and I wanted to share my experiences with the students to improve their practical knowledge. I had been in lot of board of studies and also worked with students for project work in my companies, that led me to know that they are weak in their practical knowledge and I thought I could share my experiences in guiding them in their projects which is the practical aspect of learning
[/list]
· What about teaching at b-schools inspires you the most?
Though mine is not a 100% B school, I am quite happy on teaching students on the human angle in organizations onece they leave the academics and take up a career in organisations
[/list]
· Which subjects do you teach? Which ones do you like the most?
Organisational Behavior
In addition, I also teach electronic subjects like Devices and Circuits
[/list]
· What is your teaching philosophy?
To teach the fundamentals of the subject. In addition I always quote incidents and happenings in organizations which supports the theory and make them understand the subject in a better way
[/list]
· Do you believe teaching should be more application based than theory? If yes, then how do you support it?
Yes. Exactly the same reason for which I shifted myself from Industry.
I support this by concentrating on the projects in technical subjects and case studies in my management subjects
[/list]
· Who in your life has influenced you the most?
My first boss – who taught me how to handle subordinates and face any situation boldly.
[/list]
· What suggestions would you like to make in the course of MBA?
I find a lot of the students with poor communication skills – this need to be improved through various tools since communication is a vital component of MBA
[/list]
· As a faculty, what kind of projects do you expect students to work upon?
On various projects involved in meeting people outside and understanding their problems and provide solutions
[/list]
· How are current technological advancements changing your teaching style?
I summarize each of my units with a OHP.
All my communications to students on Syllabus, Assignments, class works are on sent to their mail
[/list]
· What is the impact of mobile technologies boom influencing your area of specialization?
Not much. However, I see quite a set of students see my email communications on their mobiles – not more than that
[/list]
· How are social networks influencing your discipline?
Not much since I use them for my personal domain
[/list]
· How does the economy story of India change your discipline?
The major discipline I teach is HR. Though there are ups and downs in the economy of India (& globally too), since happens all around people, it is always interesting.
[/list]
· What changes do you see on the horizon in your area of discipline?
Globalization and the latest technology has changed many concepts of HR. This may become more pronounced in years to come and the students have a lot of challenges to face when they are out into organizations.
[/list]
· One touching incident that happened with you in your teaching career?
Though I am not able to recall incidences, I have helped and supported a number of students to overcome their personal problems with my counseling.
[/list]
· There is a shortage of eminent professors at b-schools. With more and more institutes offering the MBA course, do you think MBA will become just another degree?
Hope it does not happen. With more schools, we will get more students and may be we will also get people from the same pool who are willing to take up the teaching jobs.
[/list]
· Do you think the course curriculum is at par with industry expectations?
Not much, though there are efforts to make it suitable for industry.
[/list]
· If you hadn’t been a professor, what would you be? What are your professional/career goals?
I had been heading the research and development in my previous organizations and I would have continued happily mentoring my subordinates.
[/list]
· What message would you like to give to students across the globe?
To take the practical aspects of the learning – Projects and case studies more seriously so that the learning lasts for ever
[/list]
· Any feedback for ManagementParadise.com?
ManagementParadise is doing a good job of giving lot of inputs to management community. I wish them all success.
[/list]
. How can our readers contact you? Facebook or Twitter Id .
Through my email id ([email protected]) since I use the facebook and twitter for my personal contacts.
[/list]