Institutional development and ensuring that we build on our University year on year by setting new milestones has always been a part of the REVA journey. In this context, the end of the year of 2020 had us working closely on benchmarking by each school so as to enable us make better decisions for the University. It was gladdening to hear Deans and Directors speak on how the entire exercise raised their awareness about their peer Universities, about competition in the market and how their own school could build a strong vantage point in the pool of competition.
In education it is very important for us to understand another institution so that we introspect and effectively navigate our own institution. At the same time, this is one exercise which reinstates the fact that the practices and processes followed inhouse are correct; while enabling us strategise decisions for the growth map of the University. International, National or State comparatives enables us share good practices and also borrow good practices from the fellow institutions. What now matters is how do we implement some of the processes, build on newer options and programmes and also structure our systems better. The most important part of this exercise was to get each Director to collaborate with other universities and also offer joint research and study programmes. Internationalization will now accelerate as we can co-work with some of the international universities identified by us. The intent of this exercise is also to ensure justice is done to both students and parents who are our stakeholders. Apart from this, by studying international and national Universities we could give scope for student progression, study how these benchmarked institutions focus on honing entrepreneurial skills of students besides studying how these top Universities work on grooming student skills. This exercise has been an energizing and engaging exercise for me personally as I got to learn how well our systems are performing in comparison with others and what will enable us do better or improve on in order to contribute to the ecosystem of higher education.
To sum it in points:
Team members of each School must now take into consideration each of these goals set and ensure that the entire benchmarking exercise is reflected in their perspective plan for the School and the University. This calls for collective work and responsibility and I am sure with set goals and timelines, each School would be able to steer their teams forward and enhance their performance in the year to come.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Dr. P. Shyama Raju
Chancellor
