M.V.M. Velmurugan
Chief executive officer
Velammal Educational Trust, Chennai
Where would you place education on your national list of priorities?
Undoubtedly at the top.
How best to upgrade government universities?
Striving for excellence, sustainable funding, focus on research, commitment to high quality, recruiting outstanding human resources, and collaboration with public and private sector institutions.
Thinker/philosopher you admire the most.
Social psychologist John Watson.
Your favourite educationist.
Shri M.V.M. Muthuramalingam, founder-chairman of the Velammal Educational Trust.
Your leadership style.
Transformational, benevolent and knowledge-based educational leadership.
Your favourite book on leadership.
Leadership is an Art by Max De Pree.
For or against foreign universities establishing campuses in India?
Indians are capable and our education system is very strong and deep rooted.
Should education outlay be doubled by cutting defence expenditure?
We must double our investment in the field of education. But the country also needs to be safeguarded for which all defence services have to be fully funded.
How satisfied are you with the growth and development of the Velammal Education Group?
Definitely satisfied for fulfilling the vision of our founder-chairman. Shri MVMM’s mission, goals, values, and beliefs are our milestones which we keep crossing often.
Pessimistic or optimistic about the future of Indian education?
Very optimistic. Our education system needs to change from the industrial age education model to the wisdom age, innovative education model.