- Coming from an Industrial Engineering background, how has that perspective influenced your leadership style and your approach to driving innovation in higher education?
Industrial Engineering teaches you to optimize, not just systems and processes, but people, potential, and outcomes. That mindset shaped my leadership philosophy. Whether it’s reducing academic inefficiencies, enhancing student engagement, or streamlining administration, I approach education like an engineer: identify gaps, innovate, implement, and iterate. It’s a discipline that blends logic with empathy and that’s exactly what modern education needs.
- KL University has witnessed remarkable progress over the years. What do you believe have been the most significant factors behind its success and growing reputation?
Growth isn’t a coincidence, it’s the result of clarity of vision, consistency in execution, and a culture that thrives on excellence. We’ve built a reputation by staying ahead of trends: integrating cutting-edge tech, nurturing a startup ecosystem, forming global collaborations, and putting students at the center of everything. But most importantly, we never settle. Instead, we challenge ourselves to grow faster, think smarter, and dream bigger.
- In your opinion, what role should universities play in nurturing entrepreneurial thinking? How is KL University encouraging students to innovate, create, and pursue entrepreneurial ventures?
Education shouldn’t just prepare you for a job, it should prepare you to create jobs. At KL Deemed to be University, we’ve embedded entrepreneurship into our DNA. From startup incubation centers and seed funding programs to live pitch sessions and mentor networks, we give students real-world exposure. The world needs bold thinkers and risk-takers, we’re in the business of building them.
- As Vice President, you play a pivotal role in driving academic innovation. Could you share some of the most significant initiatives or programmes introduced at KL University to modernise the academic curriculum?
We’ve moved beyond chalk and talk. Our KL Smart Campus initiative has revolutionized learning, with AI-enabled platforms, real-time analytics, hybrid classrooms, and blockchain-based certifications. We’ve introduced industry-aligned micro-credentials, modular learning paths, and interdisciplinary electives that let students shape their own journey. Every program is now designed not just to teach but to transform.
- As higher education becomes increasingly global, how does KL University balance international benchmarks with the academic and career aspirations of students in India?
It’s about balance. We align with global academic benchmarks, collaborate with top international institutions, and bring in cross-cultural learning opportunities, all while staying grounded in the Indian context. Our curriculum reflects global relevance with local resonance. We encourage students to think globally, act locally, and lead responsibly. That’s how we create leaders who are both rooted and ready for the world.
- The education sector is evolving rapidly with advancements in technology. How do you view the role of digital tools and emerging technologies in enhancing the learning experience at universities?
It’s no longer optional, it’s essential. The future of education is tech-driven, data-informed, and learner-centric. From AI tutors to immersive VR labs and predictive learning platforms, we’re not just integrating technology, but also pioneering it. Students today are digital natives. To connect with them, education must evolve into an experience, interactive, adaptive, and intelligent.
- How has your experience in acting and entrepreneurship influenced your approach to education and leadership at KL University?
Acting taught me the power of storytelling, presence, and empathy, qualities every leader needs. Entrepreneurship taught me to embrace failure, move fast, and never stop innovating. Education, to me, is the perfect stage and startup, a space to inspire, a space to build. At KL, I combine both worlds to create an ecosystem that’s emotionally engaging, intellectually challenging, and future-ready.
- In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing higher education in India, today?
The biggest challenge is relevance. The world is changing faster than syllabi. We must teach what matters and teach it well. This means continuously updating curriculum, integrating life skills, and bridging the academia-industry gap. Another major issue is accessibility and we’re addressing it with remote learning, scholarships, and vernacular support. Higher education must become higher in impact, not just in degree.
- As an academic leader, what role do you see for interdisciplinary studies in shaping the future of education?
The world’s problems don’t come in silos and neither should education. Whether it’s climate change, AI ethics, or public health, solutions demand interdisciplinary thinkers. At KL, we encourage students to cross boundaries, mix engineering with psychology, business with design, coding with storytelling. That’s how innovation truly happens at the intersection of disciplines, ideas, and people.
- What are your long-term aspirations for KL University, and what key initiatives do you envision to further strengthen its position as a leading institution in higher education?
My vision is clear: To make KL Deemed to be University a global benchmark for future-ready education, a place where ideas turn into action, students turn into leaders, and learning knows no limits. We’ll keep pushing the envelope with smart campuses, international tie-ups, outcome-driven programs, and student-first policies. But more than that, we’ll keep listening to students, to society, to the world and lead with purpose. The journey is just beginning.
Inputs By – Er. Koneru Lakshman Havish, Vice- President- KL Deemed To Be University
