Vivekananda Institute of Management Studies - [VIMS], Coimbatore

Interview by Yash Panchal

Dr. V. Kulandaiswamy is currently working as Secretary at VIMS Kovilpalayam. His educational qualifications include P.G. Course in Agricultural Economics & Cooperation (1971) and Ph.D. in Commerce (1981). He has a total teaching experience of 33 years at the UG and PG levels. He has previously acted as a Registrar, Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed University); HOD of Cooperation and Principal in SRM Vidhyalaya College of Arts and Science and Principal of Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College, Pollachi, Tamilnadu.

Dr. Kulandaiswamy has published 8 books on Cooperation, Cooperative Management &Management disciplines. He has also published about 50 articles and research papers in various journals on issues relating to Cooperation, Agricultural/Rural Economy. He is the Editor in Chief of VICHAARA AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT. He has participated in more than 40 National and International Seminars. He has guided 5 Ph.D., scholars and 15 M.Phil., scholars for the successful completion of the Research Degrees.

A fulfilling working experience in the education industry

I have been in the education industry for the past 40 years, working in different capacities as a teacher, researcher,and administrator. Working in educational institutions gives a sense of fulfillment for the following three reasons:

• One happens to be in the world of books, ideas, concepts, i.e, learning environment 
• One is in the company of youth, whose life perception is joyful, the attitude positive and the heart is unblemished
• One has the rare opportunity to influence the young minds, guide them and shape their personality

Philosophy of leadership

My philosophy of leadership is that it should be invisible but all-pervasive. Especially in the academic institution, it should not be dominating and authoritarian.

Guiding and motivating teams and exhibiting values is the primary job of a leader in academic institutions.

Challenges to tackle as the secretary of Vivekananda Institute of Management Studies

The biggest challenge before the educational institution in the early stage is the quality-cost congruence. Quality has a cost implication and in the absence of the soft funding, educational institutions have the real challenge in creating quality infrastructure and attracting and retaining quality faculty.

Read more about faculty available at VIMS

Curriculum of VIMS

The curriculum draws the contours, while the content and depth is flexible. The curriculum cannot be the final say in MBA education or any education for that matter. We extend the curriculum beyond the prescribed syllabus.

We create many programs which add value and Beyond Syllabus Programmes (BSP) is our USP.

Ensuring growth through placement opportunities at VIMS

Placement is the cornerstone of MBA program. Constant industry-institute interaction, continuous search for placement opportunities and proper positioning of the Institute among the recruiters, skillfully using the internship/project route to create the desired impact are the ways to enhance the level and quality of the placement.

Read more about placements opportunities available at VIMS

Being available for the students as the Secretary of VIMS

Secretary being the institutional head, not directly connected to students, he cannot keep himself aloof from the faculty and students. He should make use of every opportunity to mix with students, share the thoughts and experiences and motivate the students.

Views on an ideal B- School environment

An ideal B-School environment should have a few essentials coordinates:

• An ideal learning environment through easy access to learning resources
• A conducive living environment which makes the campus life comfortable
• A healthy human relation environment which promotes the cross-cultural association and liberal values.

Goals in mind for VIMS for the next few years

As the environment is dynamic, the goals are also dynamic. Our prime goal is to make the Institute a frontier B-school in the country, create a niche for itself in the Business Education and by enhancing our relevance to business and industry in terms of placement, research, and consultancy.

Suggestions for the youth

The youth of today have wide exposure to trends, developments and global affairs. What they need to have are a clear goal and directions. As the opportunities are varied and wide, there is a danger of job hopping and loss of focus.