Dr. M. D. Dhanaraju is the Principal at GIET School of Pharmacy. His area of interest is Pharmaceutical Sciences. He holds a Ph. D. in Pharmacy from Madras Medical College. He has 28 years of teaching experience. He has given research guidance to 93 projects at the UG, PG and Doctoral level. He has published 232 research papers and four books. He has received Fellowship Award 2022, from Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), Mumbai, India, and Melvin Jones Fellowship 2022, International Lions Clubs, Chicago, USA.

GIET School of Pharmacy

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector? 

Continuous learning, challenges and problem solving, adaptability, creativity & innovation and upgrading one's skills to keep up with the times. My passions are teaching, research and administration. In addition to teaching students, my job as an educator requires me to stay up to date on trends and acquire new skills.

Being the Principal of GIET School and Pharmacy, what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style? 

Many roads can take you to the destination you plan to reach. Effective leadership often involves a combination of styles depending on the situation and the individuals. The most successful leaders are those who can adapt their approach to best meet the needs of their student community. 

Being the Principal of the Institute, how do you strategize about the key programs and plans for the marketing and administration of your school?

As a principal of GIET School of Pharmacy, developing effective strategies for marketing and administration is crucial for the overall success and growth of the institution. Here are some key steps: Marketing strategies: Digital visibility, content marketing, joint ventures and alliances, and involvement of alumni. Administrative strategies: Planning strategically, allocating funds and resources, integrating technology, professional development, ensuring quality, involving the community and providing student support services. 

The education systems in India and other foreign countries are structured very differently. In your experience, what can an inbound student gain from studying here in your institute? 

Our institute highlights their unique strengths and offerings to support students effectively such as Language proficiency, different teaching methods, career opportunities, holistic learning environment. Our students have strong knowledge on research and academic goals.

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How does the curriculum of GIET School and Pharmacy ensure the best practice of the industry?

Creating a curriculum that aligns with industry best practices is essential for preparing students for success in their professional careers. Here are some key considerations and strategies that an institute might employ to ensure its curriculum reflects industry best practices such as Industry relevant projects and Case studies, Professional certifications and training, Continuous faculty development, Employer feedback mechanism, etc.

Any insights into how your Institute could be more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

In our institute the positive effects of diversity enable students to work with people from other races, ethnicities, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and challenge the views they are accustomed to. Institutes that support cultural diversity benefit by creating an inclusive environment that requires continuous reflection, adaptation, and collaboration. Regularly seeking feedback from students and stakeholders and incorporating their perspectives into decision-making processes is vital for sustaining an inclusive and welcoming institution.

What do you think your roles and responsibilities to the Institute and the students are? 

It's crucial that an educational institution's roles and responsibilities can change depending on the particular role, the kind of institution, and the institution's mission. According to me the following are the roles and responsibilities for students and institutes. Roles and Responsibilities for an Institute: Strategic Leadership, Resource Management, Student Services, Community Engagement, Compliance and Accreditation Roles and Responsibilities for Students: Academic Engagement, Community Involvement, Professional Development, and Ethical Behavior.

What do you think should be the Institute's top priority over the next ten years?

Technological Innovation and Adaptation, Sustainability and Environmental Impact, Education and Skill Development, Global Collaboration, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are the priorities for the institute in future. Regular reassessment and flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances are also crucial over a 10-year timeframe.

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When you first came to the Institute, what was your vision for the university? Has it evolved over time, and how far along in implementing that vision are you?

When I joined the GIET School of Pharmacy, my first priority was to assist our students in getting their first job after college. Here, we trained our students the tools they need to ask insightful questions, reason through situations, express themselves clearly, and lead moral lives. These are the skills that employers say they value most in the workplace, and they also offer the best foundation for success throughout one's life in a complex, uncertain, and changing world. Today with satisfaction I can say our students were placed in reputed companies across the globe.

What would you like people to know about your Institute that they may not know?

College is probably the first milestone in life and it’s about more than book learning. It's about venturing out on your own for the first time, experiencing new things, making new friends, and learning everything from the correct way to conduct research to the best way to handle challenging or fantastic circumstances.

What do you see as the Institute's greatest strengths?

1.Well trained, research oriented, experienced, dedicated and energetic teaching faculty

2.Good teaching and learning environment supported by prolific library

3.Excellent Student-Teacher rapport with emphasis on mentoring and counseling

4.Our College has excellent extra-curricular activities, sports culture, well-organized extension, community service programs and outreach activities by students and faculty.