Dr. Swapna is the Principal at Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce. She has completed her MBA and PhD from the prestigious Vellore Institute of Technology. Prior to starting her career as an academician, she has worked as a HR Generalist and is currently an accomplished academician with over 19 years of experience in the field of Higher Education. She is one among 5 in Karnataka to complete Post - Doctoral Research from the INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGE (ISEC), Bangalore. Recently she has been empanelled as an assessor for National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). She successfully completed a funded project for a Chinese multinational company in China. Dr.Swapna has presented more than 31 papers in International Conferences including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand) and 20 papers in National Level conferences. She has to her credit 15 paper publications. She has delivered various invited talks. She has served the academic community in varied capacities as Member of the Board of Examiners and Board of Studies, Paper setter in various Colleges and Universities. Dr.Swapna is the recipient of the prestigious Research Award from Vellore Institute of Technology.

RIMS Bangalore

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?

There are several key factors that can keep me connected with the education sector such as my passion for learning, continuous professional development, teaching or mentoring, networking and collaboration, research and innovation and exploring new teaching methodologies and educational practices keeps me motivated.

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

I believe that a leader should lead by example. My leadership style is inclusive where I try to involve all stakeholders in discussing issues and arriving at solutions. I give ample opportunity to people reporting to me to develop themselves and become better individuals.I also encourage open communication, respect diverse perspectives, and promote a sense of belonging among team members.

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

I work very closely with the admissions, placements and administrative departments of the institute and from time to time offer my suggestions for effective marketing and administration of the institute’s offerings keeping the future in mind. My suggestions would include internal branding, addressing the gap between academia and industry, latest technological and pedagogical tools for the teaching learning process, strengthening the alumni network, identifying disruptive technologies and making sure that our students are exposed to such technologies through partnerships with reputed corporate bodies like KPMG, ORACLE etc

RIMS in association with KPMG offers a certified business analytics course for all the students in their 1st and 2nd semesters. The course is designed and delivered by expert faculty from KPMG using live data so that students are exposed to solving real world problems.

In recognition of our efforts CEO INSIGHTS magazine has rated us as one of the top 10 B schools in India offering business analytics courses. Recently Higher Education Review Magazine has rated RIMS as one of the top 100 B schools in India.

All the students will also receive certification courses in German language along with courses in Aptitude skills and pre-placement training that includes resume building, linked in optimisation, corporate etiquettes, mock group discussions and personal interviews etc

Customized mentoring based on assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges is offered to every student until they pass out of the institute.

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?

Apart from ensuring that the course curriculum is on par with that offered in foreign countries, we ensure that an international student is exposed to the exciting and diverse culture of the country by encouraging the student to mingle with and learn from his/her fellow classmates.

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How does the curriculum of your institute ensure the best practice of industry?

Our PGDM program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of various business disciplines, such as finance, marketing, human resources, business analytics, international business, operations, and strategy. The curriculum is often updated to align with industry trends, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills required by employers. Our program incorporates practical learning methodologies such as case studies, simulations, group projects, and internships. These experiential learning opportunities allow students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world business scenarios, enhancing their problem-solving, decision-making, and teamwork skills. Our institute has strong industry connections and a dedicated placement cell that assists students in securing internships and job placements. We have tie-ups with top companies, offering students access to a wide range of career opportunities and a head start in their professional journey.

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

RIMS brings together a diverse group of students from different socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities and experiences. This provides an excellent platform for networking and building professional connections that can be valuable throughout one's career.

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

As the Principal of the institute I carry the responsibility of acting as a bridge between the institute and the student community and ensuring that the expectations of the shareholders and stakeholders are met with. Being in a senior role it is my responsibility to provide timely suggestions to the Management for the overall progress of the institute today and in the future. As a teacher I consider it important to nurture, mentor, mold, and guide the students in becoming effective leaders and in contributing to nation building.

What do you think should be the institute's top priority over the next 10 years?

RIMS is known for its delivery of quality education and the immediate priority would be to retain and strengthen this best practice in the future also. In our endeavor to achieve the highest standards of academic excellence, RIMS will focus on international collaborations in the areas of student/faculty exchange programs, accreditations, international placements, expansion to international markets, establishing a research centre, incubation centre and centre of excellence etc.