In an era characterised by rapid technological advancements, shifting global dynamics, and ever-evolving career landscapes, it’s imperative for educators to inspire confidence and provide a positive future outlook for students.
As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, IIM Raipur’s Director, Professor Ram Kumar Kakani, stands as a beacon of hope and guidance, offering a visionary perspective that empowers students to not only embrace the challenges of tomorrow but to flourish in a world brimming with opportunities.
A JOURNEY IN ACADEMIA
“I used to work as an engineer, and during the years 1988-1992, a period marked by the Harshad Mehta scam, I noticed people making money in the stock market while others went bankrupt. This piqued my interest in understanding the stock market, capital market, and the reasons behind financial success and failure,” says Professor Ram Kumar Kakani.
“My journey began at Engineers India Limited and then Steel Authority of India Limited. Later, I earned my PhD in this field, specializing in finance,” the Professor mentioned.
Over time, I gained experience in various roles, including teaching MBA students and serving at the National Academy of Administration. In 2015, I left my position at the academy for personal reasons and returned to XLR agent.
Subsequently, I joined IIM Kozhikode, diversifying my experience. Eventually, I received an offer to lead IIM Raipur, a privilege I accepted enthusiastically. Teaching and academia have always been my passion, and I find joy in sharing knowledge with students.
AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH
“Let me put it this way: there’s a lot to learn. People outside prioritize depth over breadth in their approach, whereas in certain contexts, such as in India, there seems to be a preference for breadth over depth. I’m emphasizing the importance of depth here. To illustrate, my point of comparison is the elective courses at the Copenhagen Business School. They allow you to bring your own materials, even food, even your child to the classroom,” says Professor Ram Kumar Kakani.
In our current system, we face challenges with even transporting food, let alone using it in class and thinking our bringing children is out of the question. I strive to apply the positive aspects I’ve learned from other countries to enhance and advance our own society.
“My past experience has helped students in many positive ways. These international experiences have shaped my leadership approach by instilling a commitment to inclusivity, innovation, effective communication, and adaptability. I aim to bring these qualities to IIM Raipur to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment for our students and faculty”, the Professor mentioned.
BUILDING A CAMPUS ECOSYSTEM FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
We’re operating in mission mode, and I genuinely feel privileged and blessed by the fantastic support and commitment of our faculty and staff. Our work extends to weekends, even with our office open on Sundays. This commitment reflects the efficient culture we aim to cultivate. Regarding our strategy, my focus is primarily on recruiting what I call “star assets” among faculty members—those with over 10,000 citations or who bring substantial business value.
After bringing them in, we aim to establish an ecosystem that caters to their intellectual needs. Our main goal is to harness intellectual power and create a vibrant learning environment on campus. Recently, we also built a 24/7 library, enhancing the student experience.
“I’m confident that several aspects are already showing promise. One crucial element is ensuring that both internal and external networks function effectively to harness the power of collaboration and convergence, reaping the benefits thereof. Three years is conservatively what I’ll say you will see a single digit,” he mentioned.
IMPLICATIONS OF ENHANCED PRESIDENTIAL ROLE IN IIMS
“The government owns us. And I would be honest in saying I feel very proud to say that I’m a servant of the government of India. Essentially, we are institutes which in some sense represent all types of communities and, in that sense, we represent both Bharat. The government says let there be more accountability to the parliament by having the president be there as your visitor. I perceive the implications of the recent bill passed by Parliament, which grants enhanced powers to the President as the Visitor of IIMs, as a significant development in the governance and management of these institutions,” the Professor mentioned.
Finally, an inspirational message to students who haven’t succeeded in competitive exams and weren’t able to pursue their dreams of attending top-tier colleges.
“I would like to sincerely encourage you to maintain a positive outlook and believe that better times are on the horizon. In essence, I want to convey that it’s essential to embrace your current situation and not view it as a setback. Moreover, for those aspiring to gain admission, especially in management institutes, I strongly recommend gaining some work experience, even if it involves tasks as basic as being a delivery person for groceries. This experience can greatly enhance your classroom learning, making it more practical and relatable. However, if you don’t have work experience, that’s perfectly acceptable as well,” he said.
Courtesy : IndiaToday