Prof Thomas K V is a Principal of the Nirmala College, Ernakulam. He is a Professor of Mathematics and has 24 years of teaching experience. His qualifications include Ph.D. from University of Delhi and M.Sc. from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi. He is an approved research guide at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala and he has produced five PhDs. His areas of specializations include Application of Fuzzy Sets in Algebra, Rough Sets and Lattice Matrices. He has published 33 research papers in national and international journals. He has served as a senate member of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala during 2020-22.

Nirmala College

What is your philosophy of leadership and describe your leadership style?

"To fulfill the vision and mission of the campus is my primary vision"

My philosophy of leadership is driven by a shared vision and mission of the institution. I believe that institutional decisions must be based on a clearly articulated and communicated set of core values such as Trust in God, Integrity of Character, Social Commitment and Pursuit of Excellence. The main challenge higher educational institutions face these days is the continual change in the academic environment. It includes changes in policies, faculty roles and ways of teaching and learning. Another relevant transformation is that students desire to create their own career paths rather than earning a degree. So that institutions are expected to upskill and reskill students through conceptual and contextual learning. In such a changed environment, my prime focus is to ensure that all the academic processes in the college are outcome based and aligned to the fundamental vision and mission of the college. My experience suggests that it is possible only if the head of the institution works alongside and inspires all stakeholders of the college. The essence is that bringing about a sustainable institutional change is a matter of team building and collaborations.

What do you think should be the College’s top priority over the next 10 years?

"Aspires to achieve the status of an autonomous institution by 2023"

Our campus was established in 1953, playing a pivotal role in the higher education sector in the State of Kerala for the past 69 years. Academically, Nirmala College Muvattupuzha is one of the top performing institutions under Mahatma Gandhi University. During the last five years, the college has bagged more than 200 university top positions of the university (University Ranks). True to its vision, “academic excellence with integrity of character”, the college has been in the forefront in empowering young generations through holistic education.Tens of thousands have graduated from Nirmala and have occupied places of prominence all over the world. The college with a visionary management, committed and learned faculty continues its inspiring journey to reach new heights. We aspire to achieve the status of an autonomous institution by 2023. In addition to academic excellence and placements, college’s top priority will be on the assimilation and internalization of sustainable development goals for a better tomorrow.

What are some plans that you are currently designing for students?

"Use the latest teaching-learning tools and make the student employable as well as maximizing the talent pool"

Post-pandemic a new sense of heightened potential has come up when it comes to teaching and learning. Constraints which we thought were unmanageable in an educational system like time, space, accessibility etc have fallen away. There has been an increase in the awareness, skillsets of teachers and students regarding the application of technology in teaching. Our focus will be to use the latest teaching-learning tools to maximize the effectiveness of the teaching-learning process. With the advent of the New Education Policy, the higher education scenario is up for a drastic revamp with a focus on learning outcomes that are more industry relevant. This makes the student employable as well as maximizes the talent pool. The plan is to ensure that the learning activities are very effective and orderly. Our education plan will help the students have a clear idea about the desired learning outcomes and be able to keep track of their progress. Looking ahead the college envisages shifting focus from reacting to challenges to planning for possibilities. The focus will be more on making students learn new skill sets that make them competitive. For this purpose, the College conducts various Capacity Building Programmes to instill 21st century skills among the students. Our College motivates the students to undertake various Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC) as part of curriculum enrichment. Furthermore, the institution attempts to undertake more industry-academia collaborative activities. Hence, students are able to understand the skill sets that make them employable. These interactions will be in the form of internships, on-job training, collaborative projects, industrial visits, talks and seminars by industry experts. This will also help the students develop a strong professional network before their graduation. The plan envisages that the student is able to plan and start his career even before his/she graduates. Above all, the College promises to offer a flexible learning environment for the betterment of all the stakeholders associated with this institution. 

How do you tend to establish a healthy relationship and environment in your college?

"Ensure holistic development, and improve better future requirements on campus"

Ever since its existence, Nirmala College has been able to connect its students with their socio-cultural requirements. As an educational institution, we ensure holistic development of students by keeping them connected with their curriculum, family and society. By establishing one to one contact with all the students, SWOC analysis is done to develop, improve and strengthen the requirements for a better future. We follow a practice of periodical mentoring that helps the teacher to know the students very well and also helps the teacher maintain a rapport with the students. Quality International Seminars and assignments which spill above the limits and requirements of curriculum ensure an ideal exposure to the subject of interest. A collaborative studying/working environment enables the students to be better team players of tomorrow. Thrust is given to sports and culture activity to make sure an enjoyable campus environment for everyone. Also to identify and promote the sprouting talents.

A congenial green campus atmosphere along with updated infrastructure is maintained for bringing positive energy throughout the academic period.

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How do you try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects and make it industry oriented?

"Offer value added courses, internships, and other PG programs for pupils"

The science, arts, commerce & management, and computer science departments have different approaches to impart practical knowledge in the subjects/courses, as per the requirements of the concerned subjects. The students of all subjects, irrespective of UG and PG programs, are required to do project work in the field of their choice. It gives the students an opportunity to learn advanced experimental techniques and to familiarize analytical tools. All departments offer value-added courses, which are intended for students of all subjects. So that interested students from different streams can learn skills outside of their program. The PG students are allowed to apply for internships offered by various institutes, which has been used by many of our students, and attended internships/summer research programs conducted by institutes such as the NITI Aayog, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Trivandrum, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kochi etc. Many departments have MOUs with industries and they conduct industry linked programs as part of their activities which is benefited by many students. The UG and PG students visit industries at least once during their program to learn the working of nearby industries. Seven departments of the College are research centers of the M.G University and the research labs/facilities are open to both graduate / undergraduate students. This helps them to get exposure to various research areas. The Faculty involved in research are keen to maintain good infrastructure and practices. So, students are able to watch in and out during their programme. The faculty members are actively involved in research by supervising students for PhD and carry out major/minor research projects funded by various agencies. It creates an ambience for advanced learning. The students are also allowed to attend the training programs conducted by the research departments, which help them to get exposure to modern equipment and other facilities.

How do you strategize the curriculum and how often it gets updated to make it befitting for the students?

"Organize academic programs, curriculum activities and other plans for pupils"

The college has been effectively strategizing the curriculum through various curricular and co-curricular activities. We follow a unique curriculum planning in the college. It starts with the preparation of departmental academic plans and is followed by the annual academic plan (Annual Academic Calendar) by the IQAC. We prepare programme outcomes, programme specific outcomes, course outcomes for each programme and get them approved by the Departmental Advisory Committee. The details of the programme outcomes, programme specific outcomes, course outcomes, syllabi, and weightage of internal or external examinations are communicated to the students in the induction programme and the same will be published on the college website. The faculty members also prepare a course plan in tune with the attainment of course outcomes. Faculty members use Learning Management Systems and platforms like Moodle, Google ClassRooms, Kahoot Quiz, etc. Students can access online quizzes, video lectures of the faculty, and PowerPoint Slides prepared by the faculty through the Virtual ClassRoom Facility on the website. In order to implant practical knowledge, departments have collaborations with professional bodies like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, the Kerala Biodiversity Board, etc. In order to make the learning student-centric, industrial visits, quizzes, case discussions, seminars, workshops, monthly lecture series, and alumni lecture series have been organized on a regular basis. Teachers provide remedial coaching classes for slow learners. The state government-sponsored Scholar Support Programme (SSP) also engages weak students. Advanced learners are motivated through the Walk With a Scholar (WWS) scheme of the state government and Nirmala Stars programme of the college. The feedback regarding the curriculum from the students, teachers, parents, and employers is communicated to the university through the members of the faculty who are on the Board of Studies and other Academic Bodies. The College updates the curriculum by designing diploma and advanced diploma programmes along with certificate courses in line with the needs of industry to impart employable skills among the students. Moreover, the college enters into tie-ups with industry and academic institutions for student projects and internships.

Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to real world challenges?

"Extracurricular activities include arts, sports, student government, service-related activities, hobbies, and educational clubs are given to students"

We offer many extracurricular activities and programmes that allow the students to explore a range of interests and unlock passions they never knew they had. The extracurricular activities include arts, sports, student government, volunteer and service-related activities, hobbies, and educational clubs. In addition, we organize various skill development programmes to enhance goal setting, teamwork, time management, prioritization, problem-solving, analytical thinking, leadership, and public speaking.

When you came to college, what was your vision and how are you trying to achieve the same?

"To enhance education quality and contribute to innovation on campus"

My vision is to provide high-quality education in order to enhance society and contribute more to research or innovations. I made the following contributions for my students. It includes videos for getting clear understanding of tough topics, conducting online quizzes and top students are awarded. Analogy based learning method, and Conducting Brainstorming session are other duties to implement campus vision. 

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How does the college enhance the skills of the faculty and prepares them according to the industry standards? 

"Conduct FDPs, and R&D cells for faculty training"

Our college has been very progressive and genuine in developing scientific temperament among its stakeholders and forming an innovative atmosphere. Our Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the College periodically conducts Faculty Development Programmes to enhance the skills of the faculty to prepare them according to industry standards. IPR Cell of the college periodically conducts seminars on patents and copyrights for the faculty to make them aware of its need in the current scenario. Institution Innovation Council (IIC) works for an active incubation eco system through which faculty develop their idea into action and avail funds from different agencies. The R&D cell motivates and provides necessary training to the faculty members in developing research proposals.

What valuable advice would you like to give the students for them to have a prosperous career ahead?

"Follow your dreams and increase productivity to attain a good career"

Students should have a career vision in order to achieve progress in the career path. Academic Institutions should provide continuous improvement for their personal life and professional life diligently. To improve self-Learning, set high personal and academic standards for yourself and live up to them. College can provide you with many opportunities to help start your professional career. During this time, it's important to focus on your career aspirations, plan for the future and consider any suggestions that can help propel your advancement in your chosen field. Internships are a great way to gain valuable, hands-on experience in your field. Employers want to hire candidates with a wide range of skills. Use your college years to expand your skills and overall knowledge. The easiest way to find happiness in your career is to determine what you love doing. Following your dreams can also help increase your productivity because you'll likely be more excited about going back to work. This advice is crucial as you advance in your career. It ensures you stay encouraged and driven to be the best you can be in your industry.