Page 44 - EW FEB 2022

People

Inspiring institution builder tion programmes with sharp focus
on developing hard and soft skills
that empower students to become
industry-ready. This commitment to
industry readiness has resulted in an
A++ NAAC accreditation and a high
NIRF ranking of #35. At our new
campus in Kondapur (Hyderabad),
we have also invested substantially
in an entrepreneurial development
cell that will soon offer intensive
grooming programmes for aspiring
entrepreneurs. The pandemic years
have compelled us to “unlearn, learn
and relearn”. And thanks to the agil-
ity and determination of our teachers
and the sustained support of our IT
team, we have quickly adjusted to the
new normal,” says Satyanarayana.
Future plans. Convinced that re-
search and innovation will become
top priorities of higher education in
KLD University, Vijaywada campus. Inset: Satyanarayana: industry-ready graduates the post-pandemic era, Satyanaray-
ana has drawn up an infrastructure
ONERU SATYANARAYANA flushing systems, solar and wind investment plan to ensure maximum
is president of the private, power generation, and the institu- resources for students to develop
Klow-profile Vijaywada- tion’s active participation in climate innovation and R&D skills. “We
(Andhra Pradesh)-based KL (Koneru change-related activities. strongly believe that India’s youth
Lakshmaiah) Deemed University History. An engineering alum of BMS has immense potential. If carefully
(estb.1980). Sprawled across a green College of Engineering, Bengaluru, nurtured and guided, they can trans-
100-acre world-class campus, KLDU Satyanarayana began his career in form the country into a powerhouse
is providing high quality undergrad, 1977 as an entrepreneur (Coastal of knowledge and innovation,” he
postgrad, doctoral and post-doctoral Cables Pvt. Ltd). But nurturance says.
study and research programmes in and development of the KL College Paromita Sengupta (Bengaluru)
design, architecture, fine arts, engi- of Engineering (KLE) co-promoted
neering, law, management, humani- by his father Koneru Lakshmaiah, a Singular edupreneur
ties, science and pharmacy to 20,000 successful businessman and philan-
students mentored by 1,200 faculty. thropist, was his true passion.
Newspeg. Last September when most In 1980, he was appointed a ITESH JAIN is the founder-
schools and colleges countrywide managing committee member of CEO of the Gurugram-based
were under Covid lockdown, this pri- the family-run Koneru Lakshmaiah NBest Edventure Pvt. Ltd
vate varsity’s 4,000 graduates were Foundation which managed the (estb.2019), a company that runs the
smoothly recruited by 200 blue-chip then KL College. In 1992, he was BeSingular education platform.
companies including Deloitte, Mi- appointed chairman and since then This online platform provides
crosoft, Amazon, Accenture, Wipro, over the past three decades as KLE K-12 students study programmes in
Walmart Lab among others into bloomed into a full-fledged univer- future technologies such as robotics,
employment and internships. sity, Satyanarayana became incre- artificial intelligence (AI), virtual
Simultaneously, AICTE (All India mentally involved with digitalisation reality (VR), augmented reality (AR),
Council for Technical Education) of education resources and also game design, coding, IOT (Internet
awarded KLDU its Clean and Smart played a critical role in establishing of Things), drones, and 3D printing
Campus Award 2021 in acknowl- a students’ entrepreneurship cell. In and courses on entrepreneurship.
edgement of its eco-friendly initia- 2009, he was appointed president of The curriculum, curated by a team
tives including battery-powered KLDU. of highly-qualified and experienced
machines usage for roads sweeping, Direct talk. “The USP of KLDU is tech professionals based in India
sensor-based parking, lighting, toilet our 360 degree immersive educa- and Germany, stimulates students to

44 EDUCATIONWORLD FEBRUARY 2022