Dr. Manish K Srivastava, Pro Vice Chancellor & Dean Academics, Arni University
Hello, I’m Dr. Manish K Srivastava, associated with Arni University, Indora, Kangra Himachal Pradesh, as a Pro Vice Chancellor & Dean Academics, passionate about preparing skilled human resources and entrepreneurs at the university level. Over the past 21 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with reputed institutions in different states of India. Established academic institutions, designed industry-orientated & skilled-based academic programs, and prepared skilled resources for the industry and new businesses. My work has allowed me to provide solutions to the different problems related to businesses and their stakeholders, which I find incredibly fulfilling. Beyond my professional life, I’m also deeply interested in exploring new things, which keeps me grounded and inspired. I’m always eager to learn and explore new opportunities, whether in my field or beyond."
Could you tell us about your educational and professional journey?
My schooling is from Lucknow and after that, my graduation and post-graduation from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, done another post-graduation from NMIMS, Mumbai. Also completed my Ph.D. I began my professional career at Varanasi with a teaching assignment, where I taught physics to college students. I worked as an academician and also worked for academic administration and have also worked closely for the university accreditation and ranking. I have also integrated industry into academia for the real inputs of the industries. Worked on academic positions and administrative positions with various universities and colleges. Continuous learning has been a big part of my journey, which is why I’ve always sought out opportunities for further development, whether through courses, certifications, or attending industry conferences. My passion for growth has led me to my current role at Arni University, where I focus on academic excellence with values. Reflecting on both my education and career, I’ve come to appreciate the value of persistence, curiosity, and adaptability. Each step whether academic or professional has shaped me into the person I am today, and I’m excited to see Arni University take it to the next level.
What are your areas of expertise in the academic field?
Areas of expertise: Teaching Statistics, Financial mathematics, Quantitative techniques, Actuarial Science and Business Analytics and Business development. Apart from teaching, I have experience in Academic administration.
As Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of Academics at Arni University, what are your main responsibilities?
As a Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of Academics, main responsibilities:
1.
Academic
Leadership: Oversee the academic programs and curriculum development, ensuring
the quality of teaching, research, and learning experiences, and initiating new
programs that align with current educational trends and societal needs.
2.
Strategic
Planning: Responsible for shaping the long-term academic vision of the
university, developing strategies for student success, faculty development, and
promoting innovative teaching methods.
3.
Faculty
Management: Work closely with faculty members, ensuring they receive the
necessary support for teaching, research, and professional development roles in
recruiting and retaining high-quality faculty.
4.
Student
Affairs: Ensuring the overall academic success and well-being of students,
involved in shaping policies related to admissions, assessments, and academic
support services.
5.
Quality
Assurance: Ensuring that academic programs meet national and international
standards. This involves regular reviews of curriculum, teaching methods, and
student outcomes, as well as implementing continuous improvement processes.
6.
Collaboration
and Partnership: Engage with various stakeholders—government bodies, industry
leaders, and other educational institutions—to create opportunities for
research collaboration, internships, and academic partnerships.
7.
Resource
Allocation and Budgeting: involved in the financial planning of academic
departments, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support academic
priorities.
8.
Governance
and Policy Implementation: As part of the senior leadership team, contribute to
decision-making on university policies and governance, particularly those
related to academic affairs.
What motivated you to pursue a career in education and academic leadership, and how do you balance your personal and professional responsibilities in this role?
· My
journey into education and academic leadership is rooted in a profound belief
in the transformative power of education. From my early experiences as a
student, I witnessed how passionate educators can inspire and shape not only
academic growth but also personal development. This realization ignited my
desire to contribute meaningfully to the academic community.
· Choosing
to pursue a career in academic leadership was driven by my aspiration to create
an environment where both students and faculty can thrive. As a Pro Vice
Chancellor and Dean of Academics, I have the privilege of influencing
curriculum development, fostering innovative teaching methodologies, and
promoting research that addresses real-world challenges. My motivation lies in
the opportunity to lead initiatives that enhance educational quality, support
faculty excellence, and ensure that our institution remains at the forefront of
academic excellence. I am dedicated to nurturing a culture of continuous
improvement and lifelong learning, where every individual is empowered to reach
their full potential.
· Balancing
personal and professional responsibilities is crucial for maintaining both
personal well-being and professional effectiveness. I approach this balance
through a combination of strategic time management, setting clear boundaries,
and prioritizing what truly matters.
· Firstly,
effective time management & organizing my schedule to allocate dedicated
time for work, family, and personal interests. This structured approach ensures
that I remain productive and focused during work hours while also reserving
quality time for my personal life.
·
Setting
clear boundaries between work and personal time helps prevent burnout. This
separation not only enhances my well-being but also boosts my productivity and
creativity when I am at work.
· Additionally,
I believe in the importance of delegation and empowering my team. By entrusting
responsibilities to capable colleagues, I can manage my workload more
effectively and create opportunities for others to grow and develop their
skills. Open communication and flexibility are also key; by being transparent
about my commitments and accommodating the needs of both my team and my family,
I foster a supportive environment that respects and values personal time.
How do you keep yourself updated with the latest trends and advancements in education and academic management?
Continuous learning, networking & collaboration, Research and publication, professional development, students’ interaction and faculty interaction. With all these, I always try to update myself.
What advice would you offer to students preparing for careers in fields like Actuarial Science, Mathematics, or Analytics?
For any stream, some of the things are very important like:
The base of the subject must be strong;
good software/technical knowledge is required, like R, Python, SQL, Excel,
Tableau, etc. Problem-solving skills, industrial training, projects, or
internships. Some of the professional certifications are on technology,
communication skills.
And the most important thing is
behavioural skills & values.
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