Dr. C. D. Naidu Principal – VNR Vignanajyothi Institute of Engineering & Technology – Hyderabad
Creating a culture of continuous learning is crucial for any educational institution’s growth, and this is where leadership in higher education plays a pivotal role. Educational leaders are responsible for cultivating an environment that fosters professional development among faculty and staff. They must guide, mentor, and empower their teams to develop leadership skills and ensure that the right values and qualities are imparted to students, shaping them into the leaders of tomorrow. Dr. C. D. Naidu, Principal of VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, embodies these leadership principles. With over four decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Naidu has demonstrated exceptional leadership, earning him the title of Most Prominent Principal of the Year 2024 in Higher Education at the Education Excellence Awards 2024.
A Distinguished Career
Dr. C. D. Naidu holds a B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering from JNTUA College of Engineering, Ananthapur, an M.Tech in Instrumentation & Control Systems from Sri Venkateswara University College of Engineering, Tirupathi, and a Ph.D. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from JNTUH College of Engineering, Hyderabad. With 40 years of experience in teaching and research, Dr. Naidu has held several leadership roles, including Faculty member, Head of the Department of ECE, Dean of Academics, and Vice Principal. He has been the Principal of VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, for the past 15 years.
Dr. Naidu has contributed significantly to the academic and research community, with 42 technical publications, 4 granted patents, and 6 research projects worth 1.5 crores. He has guided 8 Ph.D. students and organized over 25 short-term courses and programs in collaboration with ISTE, UGC, JNTU, and VNRVJIET. His achievements include 15 state and national-level awards. He has also served as an expert committee member for various NAAC accreditation visits. Dr. Naidu is a member of IEEE (USA), a Life Member of ISTE (India), a Fellow of IETE (India), and a member of the Executive Council at JNTUH.
As the Principal
Under Dr. C. D. Naidu’s leadership, VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology (VNR VJIET) achieved significant academic milestones. The institution was accredited by NAAC with an ‘A++’ grade under the Revised Accreditation Framework, with an impressive CGPA of 3.68 out of 4.00 in Cycle-III and 3.73 out of 4 in Cycle-II, the highest grade possible. VNR VJIET was also awarded the QS I-Gauge Diamond rating for a span of three years and has been E-Lead certified by QS I-Gauge.
Also, Dr. C. D. Naidu instituted a Faculty Growth Plan focused on professional development, research support, and career advancement. The plan emphasizes fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting a strong research culture, ensuring work-life balance, and encouraging continuous improvement in teaching and academic contributions.
He has fostered the creation of a wide range of student-oriented clubs, focusing on co-curricular and extracurricular activities. Active chapters such as IEEE and SAE host regular hackathons, coding contests, and encourage participation in national competitions. Under his leadership, students are also engaged in impactful community initiatives, such as the VNR Student Force, which recycles waste materials to create notebooks for underprivileged schools. Additionally, the institute adopts nearby villages, where students actively participate in hands-on projects that address local issues.
Achieving A++ NAAC Accreditation: A Systematic and Collaborative Effort
Dr. C. D. Naidu led the systematic and collaborative effort that resulted in VNR VJIET achieving the A++ NAAC accreditation in its third cycle. Instead of relying on external consultants, he prioritized building internal expertise. The process involved conducting extensive workshops, thoroughly studying the accreditation parameters, and training faculty members to align with the standards. Dr. Naidu’s approach emphasized continuous improvement, ensuring that accreditation was not viewed as a one-time event but as an ongoing process. This mindset was incorporated into the institute’s structured academic calendar, making the entire process seamless and integral to the institution’s operations.
Overcoming the Pandemic: Educational Challenges and Adaptations at VNR VJIET
In a brief interview, Dr. Naidu shared how the institution adapted to the challenges of the pandemic: “We were among the first to transition to online teaching. We swiftly trained our faculty and provided tools like writing pads for interactive lessons on Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.” He also mentioned, “We extended our support by training school teachers in online methods and conducted online classes, exams, and virtual lab sessions, ensuring minimal disruption to learning.”
On a Personal Note
Dr. Naidu practices yoga, pranayama, and Sudarshan Kriya daily, which help him stay active, focused, and energized throughout the day. These practices enable him to engage effectively with both faculty and students, fostering a positive and dynamic campus environment.
In the days to come, Dr. Naidu envisions transforming VNR Vignana Jyothi into a university offering multidisciplinary courses, aiming to be recognized as a top institution known for its disciplined principles, innovative teaching methods, and cutting-edge research. Personally, he looks forward to continuing his academic journey and contributing to the institution’s growth and success.
