Prof. Dr. Koteswara Rao, Kolli - A Torchbearer to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Q. 1. Can you please give your Self Introduction to our Audience?

Good morning from Canada, I am introducing myself - this is Prof. Dr. Koteswara Rao, Kolli. Let me convey my best regards to the editorial board of “Business Talk Z Magazine” for listing me as one of the leading reputed professors of Pan India with a global background and international exposure on an international platform connecting to the occasion of International Teachers Day.

A Rare Precious Gift is the opportunity to start from a Blank Page and Create an Institution from Concept to Reality. It enables many possibilities that would be unthinkable at Established Universities - which require Vision, Passion, and Courage to attempt to innovate and deliberately create a new improved learning culture.

My passion, vision, and innovative thinking helped me build and lead more than 10 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) directly and 50 + HEIs indirectly. Also made the HEIs achieve sustainable results with Quality, Academic, Research, and Return On Investment – in all these 53 + years.

Q. 2. Could you tell us about your Educational Background?

• Masters in commerce at Dr. Hari Singh Gaur Central University, Saugar, Madhya Pradesh.
• Masters of Philosophy in Finance (RRBs)at Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Finance (Commercial Banks) from Osmania University, Hyderabad - Telangana.
• Post Doctoral from University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign, USA as Fulbright Fellow.

I am proud to state that Scholarship/Fellowship supported all my education & research. 

Q. 3. A. Could you tell me about your overseas education experience?

Out of my interest in overseas research, I applied for Commonwealth and Fulbright fellowships to pursue my post-doctoral research. I am fortunate to have received both fellowships.

Of the two, I preferred the Fulbright, which is no. 1 in global fellowships.

As part of post-doctoral research, I applied to three Universities in the U.S.A

a. University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign

b. South Western Luciana and

c. University Of New York for my research placement.

Of the three, I received acceptance from two except New York University. I preferred the University Of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

The International Student Office helped me a lot with homelessness.

Here, I thought of telling about a small favor my mentor did, which was a blessing in my life. how it is:

I proposed the post-doctoral proposal titled “Commercial Banks in India vs. Commercial Banks in the U.S.A. when I discussed it with my mentor - Dr. V. K.  Zimmerman, Director – Center for International Education and Research in Accounting of the University of Illinois, Champaign.

He suggested that the topic is outdated and select a topic related to risk management. This has changed my life - leading to the best.

Outcomes such as:

• Receiving the Best Post Doctorial Research Award for my Post Doctoral Work titled –
• "Country Risk Management with Particular Reference to South Asian Countries"
• Developed a New Model for Measuring the Risk.
• Publishing 3 Global Working Papers in the CIERA Working Paper Series, University Of Illinois.
• Offering Academic Position in the University.
• Recommended for Continuation Of Research and Fellowship.
• Recommended For Research at Melbourne University, Australia.

1. Identifying me as a Mentor for the International Students coming to the University.
2. Recommended to the Fulbright Commission to identify me as a Fulbright Visiting Professor.

I am always grateful to Dr. V. K. Zimmerman, Director, CIERA, and my Supervisor Dr. Linke Professor – CIERA University Of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign, US. Wherever they are. 🙏🙏

Q. 3. B. Could you tell us about your professional experience?

Professional Journey:

First Journey:

• My professional journey started in 1971, as a Graduate Lecturer at KVR Degree College, Nandigama, Krishna (Dt.), Andhra Pradesh.
• Dr. B R Ambedkar Open University – Hyderabad (TS)- (The First Open University in India, leading to the establishment of National Open University - IGNOU.)
• Joined as coordinator in a key department and brought in many innovations in line with the Open University, Milton Keynes, U K - which is the dictionary for all Open Universities across the globe.
• Occupied many key positions - Coordinator, HOD, Dean, Director, Director (Academic), and Chairman of the Purchase Committee in his capacity as Pro VC (for a short period.)

The First Journey of 26 years completed...successfully.

• The Second Journey started on 1st July 2007 (immediately after my retirement on 30^th June 2007) as Director and Professor (On Invitation) in the PRR Group Of Colleges without any break. I am instrumental in taking them to the level of other reputed colleges in their respective disciplines.
• On invitation, I joined as founder director for GITAM Deemed to be University, Hyderabad in 2009.

-        Contributed to the development of this campus both

-        Academically and Research-wise and Kept at the forefront of the reputed universities in Telangana State.

-        Instrumental in establishing Hyderabad Business School.

• Later, I joined K L University- as Senior Professor and Director, Hyderabad in 2011 and continued my journey…

I occupied many positions as - Dean, Director, Member, Board of Management, Academic Council, Planning and Monitoring Board, Finance Committee, and Member on many other Boards and Committees including Crucial Committee NAAC Chairman.

The Second Journey is continued….

Completed 53 + Years without any break – Continuing my professional Journey with dedication – Serving Great Universities/Colleges – like. Dr. BR Ambedkar University, GITAM Deemed to be University, Hyderabad, K L University- Vaddeswaram.

Also, contributed might to the development of K V R College, Nandigama, PRR Group Of Colleges, Nova Group of Colleges, S.P. College, Badruka College, Railway Degree College, and Pragati Degree College (All these Colleges located in Hyderabad).

Q. 4. How Do You Proceed as a Mentor for the Students?

As a mentor for International Students coming to the University Of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, I used to reach out first, over email and setup the first meeting. Throughout the academic term, Mentees would connect to me (Mentor) in person through one-on-one and group meetings. Also, the Mentor needs to submit periodical reports to the University Authorities. I used to discuss with my Mentees covering the following subjects:

• Preparing a Plan Of Action by developing appropriate goals.
• How to access Resources On Campus.
• Suggestions for Developing University Level Skills.
• Academic Related Issues.
• How to Use Public Transportation in Urbana- Champaign.
• Questions about American Culture.
• Creating the Feeling of Homeliness.

For capturing the planned benefits, it is most important that Mentees put in the same level of commitment as mentors.

Q. 5. What is your Domain? List the subjects you teach.

• Global Employment and HR Solutions.
• H R M – Emerging Trends and Challenges.
• Change Management &Motivation
• Global Trends in General Management
• Commercial Banks: Global Practices.

Q. 6. What Technology Do You Use When Preparing and Delivering Course Lectures?

Technology has become an integral part of modern education, and I am using various types of technology to engage students in the classroom. Technology during the whole class can foster student engagement for auditory and visual learners – Integrating simple technologies – PowerPoints, Games, Internet homework assignments, or Online grading systems can be difference makers in students' growth in the classroom.

The selection of technology depends on (a.) Teaching Goals and (b.) Lesson Plans with clear instructions and support to enhance students' best engagement.

I integrate the technology with my instruction with the help of the following activities.

(a.) Go on a virtual field trip (b.) Quiet noisy classroom (c.) Use videos for mini-lessons. (d.) Coordinate the live video. (e.) Add multi-media elements to presentations (f.) Use digital exit tickets (g.) Study and critique the web content (h.) Gather student feedback (i.) Launch a wiki page or blog for a collaborative assignment.

Q. 7. What Courses you teach besides your Subject Field?

The Courses I can discuss/teach are:

A. Global Higher Education – covering (a.) Issues Facing Global Higher Education (b.) Global Engagement in Global Higher Education. (c.) Global Higher Education and Its Perspectives (d.) Global vs. National Education (e.) Quality Standards in Overseas Education. Global Higher Education finds itself at a crossroads.

B. Higher Education in India – (a.) Trends in Higher Education. (b.) 4.0 vs 5.0 Education. (c.) Digital Education (d.) Outcome-based education. (e.) Flexible Education (f.) Establishing and Positioning the HEIs in India.

Q. 8. Other Important Information

A. Subject Area of Research: 

• The macro level of research was in FINANCE with different micro-level areas at different levels.

* The particulars are:

Name    Macro   Micro

M.Phil.  Finance Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

Ph. D     Finance Commercial Banks

Post Doctoral      Finance Country Risk Management

* As the Trends in Higher Education are Fast Changing, My Research Interests are Tuned in line with Changing Trends in Higher Education and its Related Aspects.

* As part of it, I developed an interest in - Higher Education: Global /National /Management Education, Assessments, Accreditations, and Rankings - National / Global and Academic Research that can Align with National Interests.

* As part of Research on Management Education, I developed a Unique Area of Competence…Developing a New Business School Model: 5 in 5 Business School Model – Changing the Game Of Management Education – Which is Ready for Submission as a Patent.

B. Areas of Competence:

• Possessing a Rare Combination of - Thought, Academic Administrative, Quality and Transformational Leadership
• Preparing HEIs - Universities / Colleges of All Types in Tune with the Requirements of NEP. with Latest Amendments.
• Perfect Resource in Establishing & Developing new Deemed to be Universities/Private Universities / Colleges and Starting Off Campuses.
• Strategist in Preparing all types of HEIs for Assessments, Accreditations and Rankings with the Best Outcomes.
• Good at Planning and Developing OL&ODL Programs.      

C. Awards & Recognitions:

• Fulbright Fellow (1994-95), USEIF, New Delhi, (India) & Washington DC,(USA), 1990 L Street, N W, Suite302, Washington D.C, 20036, USA.
• Best Post-Doctoral Research Award (1995), University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign, USA.
• Best University Teacher Award (1998), Government of A.P, INDIA. ▪ Mahatma Gandhi National Award (1998).
• Mahatma Gandhi National Awards Committee, INDIA.
• Who’s Who in the World (2001), Corporate Ofice-430 Mountain Aven-400, New Providence N J 07974, United States.
• Rashtriya Gaurav Award (2005 & 2010), India International Friendship Society.

D. Honorary Positions Held:

• Member, Standing Committee, Colleges with Potential Excellence, UGC, New Delhi
• Member, Standing Committee, Selection and Awards Bureau, UGC, New Delhi.
• Chairman /Member Expert Committees -AICTE, New Delhi.
• Member, Board of Examiners, CBSM, Bangalore University. Bangalore
• Member, Board of Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad
• Member, Board of Studies, Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Management and PG College (Secunderabad), Osmania University, Hyderabad.
• Member, Board of Studies, Faculty of Commerce & Management, Kakatiya University, Warangal.
• Member, Board of Studies, Karnataka State Open University, Mysore.
• Member, Board of Studies, College of Commerce and Management, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati.
• Member, PG Board of Studies, Krishna University, Machilipatnam.
• Member, Governing Body, AG&SG Siddhartha Autonomous College, Vuyyuru.
• Member, PG Board of Studies, Department of Commerce and Management, Maris Stella Autonomous College, Vijayawada.
• Chairman, Board of Studies, Faculty of Commerce (Two Times).
• Member, Board of Studies, Hyderabad Business School, GITAM University, Hyderabad.
• Member, Board of Management, KLU ▪ Member, Academic Council, KLU
• Member, Finance Committee, KLU ▪ Member, Planning and Monitoring Board, KLU
• Member, University Research Board, KLU ▪ Member, Standing Committee to Board of Management, KLU
• Member, Standing Committee to Academic Council, KLU
• Member, Board of Studies, KLUNIVERSITY Business S