Visionary leaders hold the key to unlocking the true potential of our youth in the enormous educational landscape of India, where dreams are fostered, brains are shaped, and futures are built. One name stands out as the definition of transformational leadership as we set out on a mission to equip the future generation with knowledge and wisdom: Dr. P. Sojan Lal, the respected Principal and Dean (Research) of Mar Baselios Institute of Technology and Science (MBITS), Kerala. Dr. Sojan Lal ignites the spark of growth and enlightenment in every student’s heart with his unshakable dedication to excellence and steadfast passion for encouraging innovation, operating as an inspiring beacon for education leaders across the nation.
With a remarkable history of achievements spanning diverse domains such as industry, academia, research, and social services, Dr. Sojan Lal Poulose stands as an eminent personality. Possessing an impressive 37-year-long journey of excellence, Dr. Sojan Lal has left a profound impact through his notable contributions to both his professional field and the broader community.
Knowing Dr. Sojan Lal
The fact that Dr. Lal’s father Mr. Poulose served as the Hindi teacher since 1951, earning respect and affection from the community, had a significant impact on Dr. Lal’s path toward academia. Dr. Lal aspires to be the best at whatever he does and practices precise time management with the unflinching support of his incredibly close-knit family and an outstanding team. In addition to his professional life, he is actively involved in a number of other pursuits, such as social activism through organizations like Alumni Associations, Lions Club International, YMCA, and interacting with friends and family. Additionally, the MBITS Principal enjoys traveling, reading and writing books, mentoring, and other side pursuits in his leisure time, which further enriches his personal life with a variety of experiences.
As the Principal
As the Principal, Dr. Lal’s role is not without challenges, especially considering the times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring that the whole institute tackled the obstacles of COVID head-on, while embracing technology and developing their Mini LMS (Learning Management System) using Google products, under Dr. Lal’s leadership MBITS went on with their regular classes, meetings and events seamlessly via online platforms.
As an individual driven by the desire to excel in every aspect, Dr. Lal has taken the lead in initiating distinctive endeavors at MBITS. Among these, during his tenure the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) is established and a research centre was also started. Emphasizing the importance of holistic development, Dr. Lal and his team offer a wide range of academic programs, foster collaborations with diverse organizations, and prioritize students’ employability and deployability with exceptional placement opportunities. Their unwavering commitment to nurturing excellence extends beyond the traditional confines of the classroom, encouraging students to surpass boundaries and achieve remarkable success. Typically, MBITS team won the first prize in the AICTE Smart India Hackathon (SIH) twice and he was one of the two Mentors during both occasions.
A Distinguished Scholar and a Prolific Author
As an esteemed academic and approved research guide, Dr. Lal has left an indelible mark on the world of computer science. With an impressive track record, he has guided six research scholars and boasts an extensive publication record of 78 scholarly works. Beyond research, his literary contributions include authoring 16 computer science books and one book related to LPG cylinder testing, showcasing his diverse expertise.
Among his accolades, two co-authored computer science books gained international recognition with publications in multiple languages, such as English, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, and Italian in 2022. A testament to his global impact, fifteen of his books are available on Amazon, while thirteen were published in Germany and the rest in India.
Furthermore, Dr. Lal holds the distinction of being an approved research supervisor in APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Kerala. Currently, he is guiding an MCA scholar with the prestigious CERD Fellowship (Centre for Engineering and Research Development), exemplifying his commitment to nurturing the next generation of scholars and researchers.
Prestigious awards recognized Dr. Sojan Lal’s outstanding accomplishments, particularly during the challenging Covid-19 pandemic. At the prestigious 19th Annual International Business Awards® ceremony held in London, UK on October 15, 2022, the Bronze Stevie® Winner Award was declared as Education Hero of the Year 2022. In addition, under his leadership, four national honors were received by MBITS, which was initiated by the AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), New Delhi for their outstanding work during the pandemic. Additionally, the Governments of Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam jointly with IndiGlobal Media Network gave him an award in 2022.
In 2021, Dr. Sojan Lal was bestowed with the Principal of the Year Award by CEGR (Centre for Education for Growth and Research), New Delhi, in appreciation of his outstanding dedication to education, skill development, and research. Over the course of his career, Dr. Sojan Lal has garnered more than 50 accolades, awards, and honors, acknowledging his outstanding professional service and significant contributions to the community, both in India and abroad.
MBITS in a Nutshell
The Mar Basil Group of Institutions group has a rich legacy dating back to 1936, comprising a cluster of institutions, including a higher secondary school, secondary school, nursing school, nursing college, dental college, a multi-specialty hospital, an engineering and a polytechnic college . MBITS is a renowned educational hub operating under the group, which has earned recognition not only in the region but also across India. MBITS have alumni chapters in India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, UAE, UK and USA. The institute was one of the nodal centre for AICTE Smart India Hackathon and Dr. Lal was the centre coordinator.
MBITS stands out across India for its unique approach, offering programs conducted by experts from various industries and premier institutions, including ISRO, DRDO, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, E &Y, IIT, IISc, NIT and many more, benefiting over 18,500 participants. The MBITS and Infosys jointly conducted a three months 5G course benefiting over 3200 participants.
“We take pride in receiving four national awards and an internationally acclaimed 2022 award from London for our exceptional initiatives during the pandemic”, shared – Dr. Lal. Talking about what his role is all about at MBITS, Dr. Lal continued – “As a Principal, I inspire and encourage faculty and staff to continually improve their skills and knowledge, leading by example as a lifelong learner myself, with numerous qualifications and skills acquired over the years”.