Valia College of Commerce and Arts

Dr.Shobha.Menon is a post graduate in Industrial Psychology from the Department of Applied Psychology at the University of Mumbai. She has more than 20 years of teaching experience and has published several research papers. She is a guide for doctoral research in Management Studies at the University of Mumbai. She is also a member of the Board of Studies in Psychology at the University of Mumbai. 

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

“The opportunity of learning at every stage and evolving our knowledge all the time”

The key factors that have kept me connected with this sector are

  • Passion for teaching
  • Teaching I believe is about shaping the future 
  • Teaching is a very challenging field because it is a field with constant change and innovation
  • It is a field that allows you to meet and understand the viewpoints and perspectives of student’s overtime.

What is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

“Empowering the members by participative leadership to move them towards teamwork”

The two words I believe capture the essence of leadership are EMPOWERMENT and MENTORING. As a leader, you need to empower your subordinates so that they are capable of making their own decisions and mentor them so that they are guided to do what is in the best interest of the achievement of both individuals as well as organizational goals. When they are mentored and empowered they see this connection, take pride in their work, and feel they are making a meaningful contribution to the organization.

Being the Principal of Valia College of Commerce and Arts, how do you strategize about the key programs and plans for the marketing and administration of your institute?

“Marketing in all the sectors to create awareness”

With increased privatization in the sector of higher education colleges have to strategize and decide what programs they need to offer and how they need to market themselves. To decide about the programs to offer three primary factors are to be considered local needs, job market trends, the cost of implementing the program as against its viability. Keeping these in mind the college decides the programs they plan to offer.

Check Valia College of Commerce and Arts Courses & Fees

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 college?

“Tie-ups with several international universities for paving opportunities to experience international academia”

The college has tie-ups with organizations like ZIMA and Le Mark. The college also has a collaboration with IBM for programs in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Such add-on programs enhance the employability of the graduates from our college. The students have the advantage that along with completing their regular graduation in the same premises they can complete their add-on courses and thus pass out as highly employable graduates who are placement ready.

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

“The college promotes and supports the development of every student”

As an institution, we predominantly cater to students from the vicinity which is middle class. However, we do offer scholarships to students of lower socio-economic classes so that they are not deprived of a chance to get a quality education. Spoken English and soft skills training is offered to students who come from mediums other than English this enhances their confidence and therefore they can adjust better.

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

“To provide every way for skill enhancement and complete personality development”

As a head of the institution, my primary responsibilities to the institute and students are

  • Implementing strategies to achieve the vision of the college.
  • Offer educational programs that enhance the employability of the students.
  • Offer add on programs that lead to skill enhancement
  • Ensure that students have a holistic educational experience that results in overall personality development

When you first came to Valia College of Commerce and Arts, what was your vision for the college? Has it evolved, and how far along in implementing that vision are you?

“The vision of being the foremost comes with the evolution in the process to achieve it”

The education scene has changed hugely from the ’80s and 90’s when I started my career as a faculty. The primary changes have been concerning a reduction in government funding and increased privatization. This change has resulted in the growth of contract faculty. Today government funded and self -financed departments exist under the same roof and this poses a number of managerial challenges.

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

“The add on courses for expanding the area of designing into the sector of learning”

We offer several add-on courses in fashion designing, media studies, tally and a new feather on our cap is that we are the only undergraduate college that has programs in data science and artificial intelligence and machine learning in collaboration with IBM. Students who enroll in the program will complete a dual program having acquired graduation as well as having completed this IBM certification program.

Click here Valia College of Commerce and Arts Placement

What are some of the biggest challenges you see, both for higher education in general and for Valia College of Commerce and Arts specifically?

“Constant hurdles and new challenges to cope with for smooth working”

Implementing the NEP is going to be a major challenge. Maintaining quality in an environment of privatization and the growth of autonomous colleges is going to another major challenge for higher education. Surviving and thriving in this constantly changing educational landscape is going to be our major challenge. 

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

“Hard work is the only key to success”

Hard work and constant upskilling is the only way ahead. The days of secure jobs and monopolies are behind us so we need to be ready to learn new skills and constantly upgrade ourselves. 

How do you tend to establish a healthy relation and environment in your institute?

“Open communication and mutual understanding to maintain decorum”

Leading by example and open communication channels are according to me the best way to maintain a healthy relation and environment in the institution.