CEO Insights India

In today's expeditious and fiercely competitive world, the importance of overall development for students cannot be over emphasized. It is no longer sufficient to rely solely on traditional academic knowledge. To thrive in the rapidly evolving landscape of the job market and to lead a fulfilling life, students must acquire a diverse set of skills.

With a similar belief, Sunil Raj N, Vice Chairman, Kuppam Engineering College, is leading his institution with a strong focus on the skill development of his students. Through his unique approach, he elucidates how skill development contributes to a student's holistic growth, employability, adaptability, entrepreneurship, problem-solving abilities, self-confidence, life skills, and academic success.

"A captain is only as good as his team, because a leader's success is directly tied to the performance and capabilities of the team they lead"

Sunil, an MBBS graduate by qualification, found his passion in leading his father’s establishment with a distinctive approach to learning. For the last 14+ years, he has been bringing together highly expert, inspired, and passionate educators to build a progressive future for the students of Kuppam Engineering College.

He believes that every year should be a year better than the last and with this thought he moves forward, expecting more, dreaming bigger, and building young and dynamic engineers who can thrive in this competitive era.

Let’s hear it from Sunil as he speaks about Kuppam Engineering College, his leadership approach, vision for the institution, and more.

Tell us about the college infrastructure providing the best possible learning environment and oppor - tunities for students to reach their potential.

Kuppam Engineering College has modern, well equipped classrooms with comfortable seating and access to technology for effective teaching and learning. We have com - prehensive libraries with a wide collection of books, journals, and online resources, as well as study spaces and access to the internet.

We offer state-of-the-art labs for various disciplines, adequate equipment, and resources for practical learning. Every year, for the last 24 years, we have tried to upgrade the number of computers in our laboratories, ensuring students have access to the latest technology for enhanced learning, research and productivity.

Along with the regular curriculum laboratories, we have seven different laboratories established in association with Siemens India. We have CM Skill

Excellence Center and labs by Siemens, and Dassault Systems to bridge the gap between industries and academics. Post training, we conduct assessments for our students and provide certifications giving weight age to their resumes for future placements.

Advanced technology allows students to dig deeper into their learning, making complex concepts more fun and interactive. Our up-to-date infrastructure enhances student engagement, participation, and learning experience.

Also, to meet the demands of today's competitive world, every year we incorporate a new subject or training program for our students equipping them with different certifications and practical knowledge of a variety of domains. We have a dedicated training and placement cell headed by Dr Jay Kumar. He ensures company-specific training for our students before they go for interviews.

Could you tell us about the organization's alumni connec - tion network that aids current students in engaging with alumni?

Our alumni are an integral part of our institution and an advocator for our success. It is our pride that almost every country has alumni of Kuppam Engineering College who are doing well in their careers and never miss an opportunity to share their journey with current students of the college. We conduct sessions every week where we invite one alumnus to address our students.

These sessions help students by providing valuable real-world insights, career guidance, mentorship opportunities, and networking connections, all of which enhance their understanding of industry trends and prepare them for future careers. This sense of community and shared experience can be instrumental in helping alumni reach their goals and grow along their professional journey.

Moreover, our successful alumni act as ambassadors for their alma mater, promoting the college's reputation and attracting potential students and faculty. They make sure to generate positive word-of-mouth marketing among their social and professional networks, further enhancing the college's reputation. Also, we trust our alumni with their valuable feedback on the college's programs, helping the faculty to ensure that the curriculum and training align with current industry trends and requirements.

Tell us about your leadership approach.

I believe that a captain is only as good as his team. A leader's success is directly tied to the performance and capabilities of the team they lead. So, I strongly emphasize the importance of teamwork and collective effort. I don’t believe in micromanaging. I offer my team the freedom to make decisions and work independently while I focus on their out comes.

This increases autonomy, skill development, engagement, and creativity among my team

members. Rather than dictating, I believe in demonstrating the behaviors and values that I expect from my team members and setting a positive example. I believe in integrity, empathy, and self-awareness, while also communicating effectively, inspiring a vision, and empowering the team to achieve goals.

What are your future visions for the institution? What is the roadmap you have planned for Kuppam Engineering College?

My constant vision is to equip students for a successful future, focusing on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, digital literacy, collaboration, and creativity. Also, fostering a growth mindset and encouraging them to explore their passions and interests. I believe in offering my students the skills, knowledge, and mindset necessary to succeed in tomorrow's world.

Adding to my vision, I have also planned for the financial stability of students with financially challenged family background. Since Kuppam is a rural and remote area (situated on the border of Tamil Nadu & Karnataka), the majority of students here come from an underprivileged and financially deprived environment. So that these students can support their education, we have invited companies to set up BPO centers on our campus.

We have agreed to provide infrastructure for these companies and asked them to give our students opportunities to work for them. Students, who require financial support, can work a four to eight shift in the evening. This is our immediate plan for the next five years.

What advice would you would like to give to the upcoming leaders in the education sector?

Do not micromanage. Instead, follow empowering leadership. Micromanagement stifles employee autonomy, creativity, and motivation, leading to decreased productivity.

Empowering your subordinates by giving them autonomy, and opportunities to contribute effectively, fosters a sense of ownership and engagement, ultimately leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. If you empower your subordinates and colleagues appropriately, in the upcoming days, they will take on the leadership role.

Sunil Raj N, Vice Chairman, Kuppam Engineering College

A dynamic leader, Sunil is spearheading Kuppam Engineering College while striving to provide high-quality technical education with holistic development to the students. Apart from being a thriving leader, he is also a social worker with a track record of conducting many CSR activities in different forms.

•Hobbies: Reading books & Travelling
•Favorite Book: The 5 am Club by Robin Sharma
•Favorite Travel Desti - nation: Some where peaceful
•Awards & Recognition: Honored & facilitated by Vikas Marmat (IAS officer) for conducting a notable number of CSR activities