e has a 6+ years of teaching experience in the areas of operations research, business research, digital marketing analytics and business ethics. It was an easy decision for him to join the academic world as many of his siblings and those close to him are also teaching in different universities across the country. The most satisfying part as an academic in a professional institute is the constant challenge of staying abreast with industry standards on applied subject matter of interest like digital marketing analytics, teaching and guiding students from applied perspective.
He also co-founded Highland National College, Imphal, Manipur which is affiliated to Manipur Central University few years ago with like-minded few other young academicians, with a vision to bring education at his home state comparable to some of the best in the country. He is also a founding member of a non-governmental organization called Oriental Rural Development Organization, Manipur which focuses on rural development and sustainability in the tribal districts of Manipur.
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. After graduating in the year 2011 from IIFM I started my career consulting projects at the department of tribal affairs, government of Gujarat for a few years. I joined NIFT as an Assistant Professor in the year 2016. IIFM as a community gave me the experience and most importantly the exposure to the world of development sector like micro-finance sector through internship, the working experience in skill development sector through government department, among others gave me lot of clarity and prospects in life.
Q. What were some of the key learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. One of the key learnings I would like to share is that it may not be just the classroom teaching alone that IIFM gave me as a student and an alumnus, rather it is the classmates that I got to learn from, and gets inspired and challenged all along since day one. Frankly speaking, I was not the brightest of students in the class during IIFM days, that however didn’t deter me from growing in my personal and professional life.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your career?
A. Teaching in a professional institute like NIFT where I get the opportunity to teach post graduate students with a heterogenous academic background from all over the country is a privilege. As an academician nothing is more satisfying than teaching applied subjects like digital marketing analytics, do live projects with students as part of the classroom teaching and the efforts being appreciated by them. What’s equally satisfying is that the more effort one gives in reading, learning, upgrading, and working on the conceptual clarity it reflects in the classroom teaching, classroom interaction and the quality of live project ideas one comes up with for the students with more industry relevance.
Q. Have your learnings at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. IIFM, as mentioned earlier, for me is a community, like a social contract and not just a teaching institution and the kind of exposure it gave me goes a long way in shaping me to become more development sector oriented, where there is sensitivity with respect to concepts such as sustainability and equity.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles.
A. Looking at IIFM, it would be classmates like Rohan Raj Mishra, Apoorva, Rajesh Kumar, Guru among others were a huge influence and continues to be till today. Talking of advice to freshers and IIFM graduates teaching academia may be one of the great career options.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A.
- Overnight stay over at the campus cave on weekends, once in a while, making sure the bonfire burns till the wee hours of the morning.
- Trekking to the lake at night on weekends, with a few like-minded classmates, from time-to-time.
The list may get quite lengthy if I go on and on!
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. It would be introducing me to the world of development sector which has played a major role in my professional life.
Q. The best buddies/faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. Lot many sweet memories were made with classmates and roommates like Samrat Gupta, Kingkham, Wapang and his roommate, Sakib, Rajesh, Robin, Akansha, Apoorva, Karan, Manmohan, Lalit, Vikash, and many others. And one teaching faculty member whom I am still in touch is Dr. Amitabh Pandey.
Q. As an alumnus, what’s your advice to freshers or those who are joining IIFM to get the best out of the 2 years there?
A. I would say, enjoy every moment to the fullest, explore and give your best.
Q. What was your typical day at work? And what does it look like while you are on a break?
A. I would teach about 2-3 hours per day at work, Monday to Friday. However, reading and writing is a continuous process, apart from research projects that I get involved, time to time.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. Whenever there is an academic break, it is usually a road trip or trekking to the hills or rivers, either solo or with a few like-minded friends.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. Authors and article contributions by the likes of Dr. Kancha Illiah, Arundhati Roy etc. that I enjoy reading.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitment towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, and students?
A. I think I am happy being an alumnus of IIFM, and I look forward to seeing the Institute continue producing the best names in the sector. Students may connect with me for interaction on Instagram @angamniumai
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. It’s difficult to name just few, however I would suggest Rohan Raj Mishra and Rajesh Kumar.