Dr. Irfanullah Khan is the Head of the Department of Management Studies at the Echelon Institute Of Technology, Faridabad. He holds an M.A., in English and an MBA in Marketing. Moreover, he is UGC Net qualified in Management. He also holds a PhD in Management, and his area of interest is Marketing and Branding. Dr. Khan has been working since 1994 and has contributed time to the Indian Air Force till 2021. Post that, he has been working at the Echelon Institute of Technology. He has been awarded the Best Teacher awards; Military: Ucchh Tungta Medal (Ladakh 2011), the Sainya Seva Medal Marusthal (Jaisalmer 2003), and the Sainya Seva Medal Marusthal (Jaisalmer 2003). Moreover, he has published ten research papers in renowned journals and attended three international conferences.

Echelon Institute of Technology

Can you discuss your experience in the field of management studies and your previous leadership roles in educational institutions or related industries?

I am retired from the Indian Air Force, where I served for twenty years in different technical and administrative roles and worked extensively in maintenance and operations on airborne armament warfare systems and ground defence weapons. I was also involved in training for the Bomb Disposal Squad. During my service, I did a master's in English Literature and an MBA in Marketing. I left IAF in 2014, joined academia, and completed my PhD in Management, and also qualified for the UGC-NET in Management. My research area was Marketing in general and Brand Management in particular. I also did Faculty Development Programmes at prestigious institutions including IIM Lucknow, IIM Bangalore, IIT Delhi, IIIT Allahabad, and JNU on Academic Leadership, Management Teaching Pedagogy, Digital Technologies, Case Teaching Methods, Blockchain Technology, Business Intelligence, etc. I have also published research papers in national and international journals.

How do you plan to promote and enhance the reputation of the management studies department within the institution and the broader academic community?

We work on the principles of KSAs, i.e. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Knowledge by providing information in the classroom, skills to make them proficient through hands-on learning, and the ability to perform the activity. Abilities are different from aptitudes, which are only the potential for performing an activity. We work on the development of the overall personality by providing opportunities and a platform for more and more experiential learning. We have various clubs, an NSS wing, and an NGO to work for social causes and make the students sensitive to social issues as responsible citizens.

How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in management studies and incorporate them into the curriculum?

We maintain regular interaction with the industry and plan various activities in order to gain insight as to what is currently happening and required in the job market. We invite eminent people from the industry to share their input as to what to include in the curriculum. We have also established the SWAYAM-NPTEL local chapter at our college to impart training on MOOC courses on trending topics.

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Can you share an example of a successful initiative you implemented to improve the overall quality of education and student experience in management studies?

We have successfully conducted regular industrial visits and organised entrepreneurial orientation programmes at NSIC with certifications. These activities help our students to make their own business plans at the budding stage. They learn how to ideate and create a business from scratch.

How do you ensure that the management studies program aligns with industry demands and prepares students for real-world challenges?

We provide opportunities for our students to undergo internships, summer training, and industrial training. We also have a Centre of Excellence Lab where we impart training on soft skills, aptitude training, and the latest trending subjects like digital marketing. The students also get to interact with industry experts and learn more about the industry’s requirements.

Can you describe a situation where you effectively managed and resolved conflicts among faculty members or staff within the management studies department?

We have HR-centric policies wherein all HR-related issues are addressed properly through a set process. It also includes policies related to reimbursement and financial incentives, faculty training and skill development programmes, and research promotion. Apart from all the initiatives, we have a grievance redressal mechanism that will coordinate disputes in a collaborative manner.

How do you encourage research and publication activities among faculty members and students in the management studies field?

As described previously, we have research policies that boost research activities on campus. We conduct annual international conferences on contemporary issues and encourage faculty and students to participate actively. We also have incentives and reimbursement policies for the promotion of research.

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What strategies do you use to attract and retain talented faculty members and administrative staff in the management studies department?

We follow three golden rules for faculty retention at our college. They include suitable compensation, performance-based appraisal, and career progression. Apart from these initiatives, we also use prominent sources of advertisement for recruitment and attract more and more suitable candidates to join our institution.