Teamwork is crucial for the success of any institution, including schools. However, without a capable leader to guide them, teams can easily become directionless, divided, or lack motivation. This is where a strong leader like Dr. Madhumita Roychowdhury steps in. As the Founder-head and Head of School of Edify World School Whitefield, Bangalore, she tirelessly works to create a lasting positive impact while fostering a nurturing environment for students to learn and thrive.
Discovering her True Calling
Dr. Madhumita Roychowdhury hails from Kolkata, Bengal, where she was born and raised. Reflecting on her early life, she credits her father with significantly influencing her career path. Although a microbiologist by profession, he was an exceptional teacher whose impactful teaching left many wishing he had chosen education as his primary career. His passion for teaching left a lasting impression on Dr. Roychowdhury.
Dr. Madhumita Roychowdhury began her career in education 24 years ago, not out of choice but by chance. Although her journey into the profession was unexpected, she quickly discovered that teaching was where she truly excelled. Her success as a classroom teacher and coordinator, particularly in higher grades, made her aware of the challenges that could be better managed with strong leadership. This insight inspired her to pursue a leadership role within the education sector. Her husband’s job required frequent relocations, leading her to work in nine different schools, each move presenting an opportunity to advance her career and enhance her leadership skills and experience.
Journey towards Edify World School Whitefield, Bangalore
Dr. Madhumita Roychowdhury’s decision to join Edify World School Whitefield, Bangalore, was driven not only by her own professional aspirations but also for the alignment of vision of the dynamic trustee members Mr M Venkateswarlu Reddy and Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy. Having gained experience and success in various educational institutions, she recognized her strength in leadership and people management. Her ambition was to become a pioneering leader by founding and developing a school from the ground up. This vision was fulfilled when she embraced the opportunity to become the founding head of Edify World School Whitefield, Bangalore, focusing on building the institution from its grassroots.
As the Founder-Head
Dr. Roychowdhury holds the position of Founder Head of School at Edify World School Whitefield, Bangalore, a role that extends beyond traditional Head of School duties. Her responsibilities encompass strategic leadership, administration, business development, and pedagogy. In the K-12 setting, a significant part of her role focuses on pedagogy and curriculum development, while she also oversees operational and administrative aspects, strategic planning, people management, and technical oversight. Since the school opened just a month ago, Dr. Roychowdhury has been actively involved in shaping its direction over the past year.
Under her capable leadership, the school has established a system for parents to raise service requests, which are routed to the relevant departments—administrative, transport, accounts, or pedagogical—based on their nature. If issues are not resolved at the initial level, they are escalated to Dr. Roychowdhury. As a foundational school, she engages directly with parents by welcoming children upon arrival, participating in assemblies, and meeting with parents who have specific concerns. She is available twice a week for appointments to address any issues they may have.
In the Days to Come
Dr. Roychowdhury’s vision is to transform Edify World School Whitefield, Bangalore, into a highly sought-after institution on a global scale. While she prioritizes academic excellence, she is committed to the holistic development of students, including their talents in sports, performing arts, and soft skills. She believes that success in the 21st century requires more than academic knowledge; it involves team management, responsibility, and accountability. Her goal is to ensure that all graduates from the school achieve success in their chosen paths.
On a Personal Note
Dr. Madhumita Roychowdhury views herself as a lifelong learner. While she finds her role as the head of a foundational school highly fulfilling, she aspires to transition into an advisory role, where she can guide others towards both professional and personal success. Additionally, she hopes to dedicate more time to social causes, though her current commitments limit her involvement in community service.
Balancing these aspirations with her professional responsibilities can be challenging, but Dr. Roychowdhury manages to find equilibrium. With a small family, where her husband is a passionate cook, and her daughter currently pursuing graduate studies at Purdue University in the U.S., she focuses much of her attention on the school. Outside of work, she enjoys participating in cultural activities, dancing, and spending time with friends.
