Shining Thread in the Tapestry of Education

Smt. S. Malarvizhi: Shining Thread in the Tapestry of Education

The role of women has changed owing to a lot of efforts by one and all. We have seen how once considered fragile and ineligible, women are confidently shouldering the very foundation of business empires, becoming fierce diplomats, activists, and parliamentarians. Gradually, but yes, we are now living in a world that has shifted its perspectives on gender roles. Today women can do anything they set their mind /on/onto and this elevation of women getting into power is not just for listening and observing, rather they participate at a decision- making level.

The pathway and barriers to women’s advancements into major and influential leadership positions are now folklore. However, these folklores are no longer the drivers of inspiration. Inspiration is now found all around us. Rarely does a day pass by without someone trying to persuade us to do something great.

Here, in this issue of The Knowledge Review, we are going to talk about one such personality, Smt. S. Malarvizhi, who with her charisma, confidence, determination and unstoppable zeal is persuading others to achieve greatness. Her willingness to stick with a bold course of action, having an unconventional business strategy and clear vision for the future makes her a visionary leader.

The Transition from Teacher to a Leader

The nature of humans and the world is very interesting. It accommodates everyone who wants to fit in but only rewards those who stand out. The remarkable feats and progression of Smt. Malarvizhi is today nationally acclaimed, celebrated and respected. At present serving as the Chairperson and Managing Trustee of Sri Krishna Institutes, Malarvizhi began her career as a lecturer in physics before joining Sri Krishna Institutes. .

Upon the demise of her husband Sri. S Venkatraman, Malarvizhi was bestowed upon the responsibility of upholding the legacy of Sri Krishna Institutes. She was always interested in administration, and circumstances saw her take over management of the educational institution and drive it to the zeniths of success and glory. Her contributions to the institution and the educational sector have won her countless accolades. She is a recipient of ‘EDUICON Award’ for two consecutive years 2016 and 2017, constituted by Times of India Group, ‘Life Time Achievement Award 2017’ for Education, awarded by ASSOCHAM- New Delhi and Lifetime Achiever Award 2018 by News7 Channel. She is also a Management Committee Member EPSI-New Delhi and Education Panel Member, Tamilnadu State Council, FICCI.

An Impactful Educationalist

While setting out to carry forward the vision of the Sri Krishna institutes and its continued excellence in turning out exemplary graduates, Smt. S. Malarvizhi has emerged as a great leader. However, great leaders to do not set out to be just leaders, their goal is to make a difference. Malarvizhi did put Sri Krishna Institutions in front, but her actions influenced the whole educational fraternity. She has taken special efforts to ensure comfortable facilities and to enable support to the differently-abled aspirants on the campuses. She is a ‘leader with a heart’ and works tirelessly to improve the educational experience of the underprivileged children.

Malarvizhi’s actions are far-reaching and go beyond just offering education. Recognizing her role as a leader she has established hospitals inside the campus and has created opportunities for the benefit of the differently-abled students.

Smt. Malarvizhi’s actions are driven by her core belief that every child should be imparted with proper education. Propelling the same thought, Malarvizhi leaves no stone unturned. She fosters her educational institutions as a place where, along with developing academic skills, children also develop their personalities. “They must make the most of their youth,” asserts Smt. Malarvizhi. To achieve the aforesaid, Malarvizhi has instructed to initiate a development cell in all the institutions. Furthermore, the inquisitions conduct motivational lectures for students and staff apart, and surprise rewards are handed out to those who go beyond the call of duty.

Empowering the ‘Right’ Education

While representing an esteemed educational group it is important to make sure that it follows the best practice. Smt. S. Malarvizhi under her leadership ensures the same. Some of the best practices implemented in Sri Krishna Institutions are:

Industry driven / aligned curriculum & Outcome-based education
Technology-enabled 24*7 Learning
Industry powered laboratories.
Work Integrated and Project-Based Learning
Mandatory Industry training and internships for students
Collaboration with industries, government agencies & academia
Customized assessment methodologies
InteractiveWebinars and conferencing sessions with academic and industrial experts worldwide.
Club activities to ignite young minds.
Snap Talks and Theatre Clubs for communication enhancement
Forums for 360 degree feedback from stakeholders
Customized Skill development programs
Mandatory Foreign Language Training
Centre of excellences based on USP
Mandatory MOOC certification
Mentorships for start-ups

Sri Krishna Institutions is a melting pot of both innovation and learning which is projected through digitally enabled smart classrooms in Engineering Colleges and Arts and Science Colleges. The Institution has 366 smart class rooms with a facility to record the lectures which can be viewed by the students anytime and anywhere during their period of study.

Sri Krishna Institutions started in the year 1985 is a premier educational institution seated in the heart of the Coimbatore City. The institution is a lush green campus with cutting edge architecture of 25 lakh sq. ft. built up area. In that inspirational environment, over the 34 years it has grown into two Engineering Colleges, two Arts and Science Colleges and one Polytechnic College viz., Sri Krishna College of Technology, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Sri Krishna Arts and Science College, Sri Krishna Adithya College of Arts and Science and Sri Krishna Polytechnic College. The Institution is housed with 21,000 students and 750 well-qualified faculty members. Every year over 3,000 students graduate from Sri Krishna Institutions.

Nestled at the foothills of the Western Ghats, located in a sprawling 52-acre campus in Kovaipudur, Coimbatore. Sri Krishna College of Technology (SKCT) is a vibrant institute of higher education promoted by Sri Krishna Institutions in 1985. An extraordinary freedom of opportunity—to explore, to collaborate and to challenge oneself is the hallmark of the Institute which is solely attributed to Late Sri S Vankatram, who shaped this citadel of learning during its formative period. Being an autonomous institute, affiliated to Anna University, Chennai, and approved by AICTE, New Delhi, SKCT lays strong emphasis on collaborative research and stands apart from other institutes by its participatory work culture, student care programmes and high industry interaction. In a span of 34 years, it has emerged as one of the premier engineering colleges for learning, discovery, innovation, expression and discourse due to the dynamic leadership of the Chairperson and Managing Trustee Smt S Malarvizhi. Being acclaimed educationalist, she continues to contribute profusely for the glory and happiness of advancing generations. The college is accredited with A Grade by NAAC and eligible undergraduate programs are accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA), New Delhi. The college offers 7 undergraduate programmes and 6 postgraduate programmes in engineering, technology, and Management Studies.

A Promising and Fruitful Future

The sheer guidance and Malarvizhi’s determination to better the educational system has brought the institution rated under Top 100 band NIRF ranking. She promotes education of all types and grades by disseminating scientific, technical and cultural knowledge for developing the standard of living among all sections of society. Both Sri Krishna Institute and Malarvizhi will continue to work towards bringing a change in society and create opportunities to educate everyone. With her diversity in thought and representation of various perspectives of the education sector, she wants to address the possibilities of tomorrow and explore the innovative ways to improve the technical education in India and across the globe thereby becoming a global educational leader. Alongside this, she also envisions to take Sri Krishna Institutions to the next level of academic excellence by upgrading it to be a University.