Dr. Shiladitya Verma – Academic professional committed to shaping the future business leaders

Dr. Shiladitya Verma, Faculty-Business, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE

Dr. Shiladitya Verma, an experienced educator and industry professional in the fields of business and management. With nearly 24 years of combined teaching and corporate experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. Originally from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, he currently serves as a Faculty-Business at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in the United Arab Emirates. Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) is a prominent public institute of technology with 16 campuses across the UAE, representing the largest applied higher educational institution in the UAE. Since joining Higher Colleges of Technology in 2015, he has been dedicated to shaping the minds of upcoming business leaders and contributing to the institution's academic excellence.

Prior to his tenure at Higher Colleges of Technology, he held positions at premier academic institutions such as the Institute of Professional Education & Research and Lakshmi Narain College of Technology, both located in Bhopal, central India. These roles allowed him to refine his teaching methodologies and contribute to the academic community in significant ways.

His journey in education began in 2005, and before transitioning to academia, he gained valuable experience in the corporate sector. He held mid-level managerial roles at prominent organizations including Escorts Limited, Times of India, and S. Kumar’s Nationwide Limited in India. These experiences equipped him with practical insights and a deep understanding of industry dynamics, which he integrates into his teaching approach.
Overall, his diverse background, spanning both academia and industry, positions him as a well-rounded professional committed to fostering academic excellence and preparing students for success in the business world.

 
Educational and professional journey

He completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Economics & Business Management from the Faculty of Commerce at Barkatullah University, Bhopal (M.P.) in 2015. Additionally, he hold a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Management, Master of Arts (MA) Degrees in Psychology and Painting & Drawing, as well as a Master of Management Science.

Throughout the years, he has undergone significant personal and professional growth. From once being as unyielding as rigid stone to becoming as adaptable as a litmus paper, he has experienced profound transformation. Whether this change is for the better or not, only time will reveal. However, when reflecting on his journey, he finds himself still-in motion, thoroughly enjoying every step along the way. This ongoing evolution has been made possible by the individuals who have accompanied him, sharing his experiences, and walking beside him. From his mentors, teachers and colleagues in academia and corporate sector to his students and, most importantly, his cherished family, each has played an integral role in shaping the person he is today. In addition to his academic and corporate pursuits, he comes from a family deeply immersed in the field of performing arts. From a young age, he has been actively involved in theater, painting, and writing. These creative outlets have profoundly influenced his character, enriched his life, and contributed to his personal growth and development.

 
Roles and responsibilities  

He currently holds the position of Faculty-Business at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in the United Arab Emirates. In addition to his primary teaching responsibilities, he serves as an academic advisor, guiding and mentoring students towards their academic and professional goals. Furthermore, he plays a pivotal role as a course team leader and developer for two business courses, contributing to the enhancement of the curriculum and ensuring its alignment with industry standards. Prior to his current role, he has undertaken various administrative duties alongside teaching at Higher Colleges of Technology, further enriching his experience and understanding of the institution's operations.

 
Areas of expertise
 

In the realm of academia, he prefers to characterize his involvement not as an expert but rather as his chosen orientation. Primarily, his background lies within human resources, where his focus centers on facets such as job satisfaction, motivation, succession planning, and organizational behavior.

While his specialization lies within human resources, he also harbors a keen interest in marketing, particularly within realms such as retailing, promotion, marketing services, distribution channels, and consumer behavior. Beyond these areas, his research pursuits also extend to various domains, including tourism, hospitality, strategic management, fundamental management concepts, business planning, retail logistics, and warehousing.
 

Publications and authorship

Throughout his career, he has contributed to numerous esteemed indexed, peer-reviewed journals, as well as edited book chapters and conference publications. Additionally, he has authored three literary works, showcasing his diverse writing abilities and interests. He has attended, participated in, and delivered several faculty development programs, professional development activities, trainings, workshops, and courses throughout his career as an academician.
 

Achievements

To him, the term "achievement" carries a vague definition, often inflated with unwarranted significance. Instead, he measures his success by the sincerity and commitment he brings to every role and field he engages in. Throughout his journey, he has diligently provided business consultancy services across various domains to mid-level organizations, a task he undertakes with utmost pride and integrity.

In addition to his consultancy work, he has garnered recognition, particularly within the realms of theater and fine arts, earning several awards and citations. Furthermore, he has held seven solo art exhibitions, each a testament to his artistic expression, alongside his participation in numerous group exhibitions, workshops, art camps, and residences.
Beyond the canvas, he has also lent his talents as an actor and production coordinator to several theater productions, further enriching his journey with diverse experiences and creative endeavors.

Also, as he earlier mentioned that he has authored three literary works, the first one was a collection English and Hindi poems; the second was a Hindi novella and the last one, which came out in the year 2022, was a collection of poems and short stories in English.
 

Inspiration for switching from the corporate sector to teaching
 

Initially, his transition into teaching wasn't driven by inspiration or any other grand motive; it was a pragmatic decision. While comfortably employed in a corporate organization in Delhi, India, he inexplicably felt compelled to return to his hometown, Bhopal. At that time, career options in Bhopal were limited, primarily comprising financial institutions like insurance and mutual fund companies, or academic institutions. Unwilling to re-enter the grind he had left behind in Delhi, teaching seemed the only viable path, albeit one he approached with some apprehension.

What initially seemed like a compromise soon revealed unexpected merits. The structured schedule of college hours in Bhopal, ending by 5:00 PM, gave him ample time to pursue his passions, particularly theater and fine arts. However, teaching gradually insinuated itself into the core of his being. He found himself not just embracing it but deriving genuine fulfillment from it—a sense of purpose, joy, and pride in contributing to the development of future generations.

This profound sense of fulfillment still resonates deeply within him. When a former student reaches out to express gratitude for the role he played in their journey, it fills him with indescribable pride. This feeling continues to inspire him, propelling him forward with a sense of purpose and a belief in the transformative power of education.