The education landscape in India is undergoing a thorough metamorphosis in recent times. The recent Covid pandemic and the latest technological innovations happening in the country have completely disrupted the way education is being both offered and consumed. As a result, many great minds are coming to the fore with their brilliant methodologies, innovative teaching techniques, and out-of-the-box approach to learning. These education leaders are not just improving the quality of education in the country, but are also making India one of the sought-after destinations for education in the world.

One such industry leader who is well-known among the education community for his exceptional leadership skills is Prof. Rishi Aacharya, (Principal, PAI VEDA College). An executive alumnus of IIM Jammu, Prof. Rishi holds a double master's degree in IT and Value Education Additionally, he has also completed his MBA in Marketing from Yashwantrao Chavan University and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. research in Animation. Prof. Rishi has over 15 years of experience in the AVGC Education field and has served in various capacities such as an Assistant Professor, HOD, Principal, and Advisor on the Board of studies of many universities.

Currently serving as the Principal of P.A. Inamdar College of Visual Effects, Design & Art (PAI VEDA College), Prof. Rishi has worked with many academic institutions such as Arena Multimedia, Unity Veda College Lucknow, Chandigarh University, and AAFT University of Media and Arts, and even co-founded CG Eduversity, Pune. He has also served as Head of various prestigious events and award programs such as the Golden Pixel Awards, the Pune Animation Film Festival, and the I.T Olympiad.

Motivation & Success Mantra
“I aspire to create a positive impact on the lives of students, teachers, and the education industry as a whole by creating a conducive environment that fosters learning, growth, and innovation. Student-focused & multidisciplinary approach, flexibility to change, and belief in learning beyond the classroom are some of the major factors that have led to my success today. I ensure students’ welfare in every decision I make and am always open to change, as my sole motto is to benefit the students in every way

possible. I also make sure to stay abreast with the latest trends and happenings in the industry and constantly update myself by attending conferences, reading the latest research papers, and networking with like minded professionals from our industry”, says Prof. Rishi.

PAI VEDA College
PAI VEDA College was established in 2010 by the Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society. Today, it is a university-affiliated college offering PG, UG, Diploma, and Certification Level courses in animation, VFX, and gaming. Highly experienced faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, innovative learning approach, and personalized attention to each student are some factors that have enabled it to create a niche for itself in the industry. However, what sets the college a notch ahead of other colleges is its emphasis on entrepreneurship, design thinking, problem solving mindset development, and exceptional learning experience for its students. Additionally, PAI VEDA also has strong placement arrangements, wherein to date, 3000+ students have graduated and been placed from our college.

I aspire to create a positive impact on the lives of students, teachers, & the education industry as a whole by creating a conducive environment that fosters learning, growth, & innovation

“By integrating state-of-the-art technologies such as virtual classrooms, online learning, and virtual studio tours, we are enhancing the delivery of education and providing students with a more immersive and engaging learning experience. These technological interventions have helped us immensely to better engage with our students and improve the quality of education we provide”, adds Prof. Rishi.

Since he represents his college both internally and externally, Prof. Rishi’s role at VEDA College is very diverse and involves offering leadership coaching to promote faculty development & professional growth, implementing academic policies established by the university & the college, budget allocation & distribution, faculty assessments, and addressing students’ academic concerns. He also reviews & approves all college curricular requests, along with giving necessary instructions to ensure that every program meets the state and accreditation standards. Additionally, he is also responsible to make sure that all stakeholders of the college stay aligned with the vision/mission statement and work collectively towards achieving it.

Passing-on the Insights
When questioned about what advice he d give to individuals aspiring to be future education leaders, Prof. Rishi concludes saying, “A true leader must lead by example by exhibiting the same behavior and characteristics that he expects his team to show. Also, he must maintain an open line of communication within his team and encourage his teammates to learn by experimenting. By doing so, the team is encouraged to learn new things without the fear of failure. Lastly, remember that a true leader is one who not just grows by himself, but also ensures that every member of his/her team also climbs their career ladder. Thus, make sure to empower and encourage your team members in every way possible. This will also strengthen the bonding between you and your teammates”.