Sri Muppala Sridhar is a man on a mission. His mission is to contribute in every possible way to all-around social education, empowerment, growth, development, upliftment, and prosperity.
An Educationist, Entrepreneur, Visionary, and Social Activist, Sridhar is the Chairman and Co-founder of South India’s largest and Exclusive Commerce Education Institution, Tapasya College of Commerce and Management (TCCM). Fondly addressed by his contemporaries, business associates, faculty, and friends as CA Sridhar, he is reputed as a Commerce Teacher of Par Excellence and a Successful Entrepreneur.
After completing CA (Final), Sri Muppala Sridhar began a career as an Audit Manager at Deloitte and gained in-depth knowledge and understanding of the eco-system of start-up enterprises.
An Educationist Par Excellence
However, owing to his passion for teaching, he left Deloitte and switched to teaching. While nurturing the students in general commerce education and professional education like CA, CMA and CS, he soon earned an identity as an Educationist of par excellence.
In 2009, during the past 13 years, passionately, he not only nurtured the college as an Iconic college of general and professional commerce education but also earned a reputation as the largest and premier commerce education college in South India. Beholding the past 12 years, he takes pride in imparting commerce education to over 55,000 students.
As an educationist, he ensured TCCM remains a commerce education hub with more than 400 dedicated faculty and 12,000 students, 15 program streams, 17 Intermediate and Pre-University Colleges, Ten Degree Colleges, and Ten branches (Seven in Hyderabad and five in Bangalore), 3,20,000 sq. ft of space in 25 spacious buildings.
He proudly acknowledges that over 5,000 of his students work in MNCs globally. More than 10,000 in the domestic market segments, and the number is still compiling, which is an apt testimony of his nurturing efforts in the past 12 years.
An Entrepreneurial Inception
As an entrepreneur, Sri Muppala Sridhar started Tapasya Infra-Ventures (TIV) in 2014 with a committed objective of providing affordable housing to the middle class and below middle-class families. He strives to balance the landowners by generating moderate revenue on their dead lands and the aspiring middle class and below middle class with budget homes as a win-win strategy.
Complementing his entrepreneurial traits, he initiated Tapasya Financial Corporation (TFC) as a financial service vertical on Stock Broking, Mutual Funds, and Loan Consulting Services. His nurturing flair has earned over 200 clients, and more are evincing interest in their financial services.
With his ardent fondness for agriculture and an attitude to support the farmers and their families, in 2014, Shridhar started Tapasya Agri Feeds (TAF) by hiring the lands from farmers and providing a regular income mechanism to them and their families to lead a sustained livelihood. Furthermore, TAF educates the farmers in integrating technology into farming practices; the land yields a better harvest, resulting in a higher income at a lesser investment.
A Visionary Social Reformer
As a visionary and a social activist, he initiated several programs at Nellipaka, a Gram Panchayat with habitations covering Nellipaka, Virayigudem, Buttaigudem, Gogubaka, and Botlakunta in Yetapaka Mandal, under Ramapachodavaram constituency. He undertook several social activities such as:
- At Nellipaka, he started ‘NTR Seva Samithi’ with an objective to elevate the gram panchayat that lacks education, health, and employment. He ensured a high school was constructed with an integrated library facility benefiting the children and brightly illuminated streetlights.
- He not only distributed sports kits to the children and youth of Nellipaka Gram Panchayat but also conducted Volleyball and Cricket tournaments to inculcate sportsman spirit among them.
- Organized free mega health camps associated with Care Hospitals, Hyderabad, Prabhu Diabetic Research Center, Hyderabad and Vasan Eye Clinic, Khammam, benefiting Nellipaka and the surrounding habitations. The health camps witnessed an overwhelming response as ECG, 2D Echo, Bone Densitometry, One Densitometry, and Blood Sugar tests were conducted, medicines were distributed where needed, and surgical procedures were adopted.
- Similarly, as a permanent relief to the people of Nellipaka and surrounding habitations, Sridhar initiated the repair of the water tank, Bore well and Solar Pump with 10K litre capacity, 11 water tanks and a bore-well, 456 public toilets under Swatch Bharat Mission.
- He also undertook road repairs and dustbins for all the shop-owners, advising them not to litter the roads.
- Construction of rooms for the junior college students,
- A thatched four-room shed covered with asbestos sheets wherein the vaccination was done to the people and currently used as a PHC,
- Provided a heavy-duty seven-litre oxygen concentrator to the area hospital, distributed 250 N-95 masks in the area hospital, and 500 surgical masks to the Nellipaka village secretariat.
- He even announced an Rs.10,000 scholarship and Rs.5,000 worth of books to the student topping the 10th class examination in the Nellipaka Gram Panchayat,
- Cool mineral water during summer, facilitating scores of bus and auto passengers.
- All the aforementioned programs were initiated in a phased manner from 2013 onwards, and some are continuing at an incurred cost of more than Rs.18 lakhs.
An Award-Worthy Leadership
In recognition of his yeoman services as an educationist and during his college days as a talented student, Sri Muppala Sridhar was felicitated with honours and awards such as
- “Times Education Icon 2017 and 2019” in 2017 and 2019, recognizing his contribution to the education domain,
- “The Business leader Award” in 2012 by the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri N. Kiran Kumar Reddy,
- Prathiba Award (prestige’s merit award, honouring the meritorious student) by the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu, in 1996.
A Proud Educationists Family
He was born on 18th November 1977 to Sri Venkaiah Muppala and Smt. Aruna Muppala. Together they strived to ensure that their only son, Sri Muppala Sridhar became a Chartered Accountant, making them proud. Their efforts were paid off, and he not only qualified as a Chartered Accountant but also emerged as a Topper in 1996, inspiring his sibling sisters, Smt. Padma, and Smt. Rajani.
He married Venu Madhavi Muppala in 2004, a qualified Chartered Accountant, presently a Director at Ernst & Young. They were blessed with a girl child, Manasa, in 2005, who is now in secondary education.
Sri Muppala Sridhar spends his leisure time striving to uplift the backward communities, helping the government schools with basic requirements, and funding the sports day and other events.
Ensuring a Fun Learning Environment
Since its inception in 2009, Tapasya Educational Institute has emerged as an institute of repute in commerce and management education. With seven branches in Hyderabad and four in Bengaluru, it has a strong presence in Telangana and Karnataka.
Sridhar states, “Our integrated courses such as CA, CMA, CLAT and IPMAT are in demand. Students join us at the intermediate level and walk out with professional degrees in their hands and with that much-needed knowledge and skills to meet the industrial challenges.”
Its state-of-the infrastructure, student-centric approach, innovative teaching methodology, offline and online learning activities (Hybrid Learning), competent faculty members and fun learning environment make Tapasya stand out in the crowd.
Sridhar adds, “Our programs and curricula are designed to seek to bridge the industry-academia gap and ensure that students are groomed into leaders.”
Tapasya’s impressive placement record speaks volumes about its commitment to giving its students the best careers. Its alumni have been working in almost all top companies located across the globe.
Sridhar shares, “To enrich students’ experience at Tapasya, we strive hard to give them ample opportunities to participate in many extracurricular and co-curricular activities.”
These activities not only make students express themselves creatively but also help them acquire a broad set of skills to make them industry-ready and mould them into tomorrow’s leaders.
Intellectual and Emotional Development of Students
Tapasya enjoys the reputation of being a student-centric institute. Expert guidance, coaching and mentoring, talks and seminars by industry experts, regular educational tours and industrial visits and timely counselling prepare students to take on the challenges of professional life. “We truly believe that learning should never be a burden but rather fun.
Our student-centric approach and fun learning environment are conducive to students’ intellectual and emotional development,” says Sridhar.
Tapasya reiterates its commitment to all its stakeholders, including students. To give its students’ industry exposure, training, and the best placements, it has established a dedicated Corporate Relations Department (CRD).
Entrepreneurial Development Cell (EDC), Corporate Recruitment Training Cell (CRTC) and Industry Exposure Cell (IEC) are the wings of its CRD. These wings work round-the-clock to support students.
Sridhar conveys, “While our IEC works towards arranging industrial visits, educational tours and excursions, talks, seminars and workshops by eminent personalities, EDC extend all its support and assistance to students in their start-ups.”
A Dream of Inspiring Ideas
Tapasya College of Commerce and Management (TCCM) was established from a dream of various ideas coming together to construct students’ careers, with tremendous enthusiasm and an opportunity halted. ‘We want to boost students’ confidence, get them dedicated to their goals, and provide them with a curriculum appropriate for their professional path,” states Sridhar.
The education method at TCCM will assist its students in making the greatest use of their abilities not only in India but also in other countries. “It is my pledge that TCCM will continue to promote high-quality education and that students will enjoy their studies and receive a bountiful crop for as long as they remain with TAPASYA,” mentions Sridhar.
A Prestigious Business School for Future Leaders
Tapasya College of Commerce and Management is a prestigious business school for future leaders who consider themselves as success milestones. This is only feasible when theory meets practice, and at TCCM, it not only provides Intermediate MEC/CEC and Graduation B. Com/BBA but also professional and integrated programs like CA/CMA/CS and CLAT/IPMAT respectively.
Sridhar promises, “You enter TCCM as a high school graduate, and we guarantee you will leave not just with a degree, but also with a degree + professional qualification + JOB, and this is only attainable at TAPASYA.”
Immersive Benefits of Holistic Learning
Tapasya has risen to prominence due to its unique approach to hiring employees, which includes the brightest minds in commerce and business management. No wonder, the Tapasya Group of Institutions is making rapid strides in this side of India owing to an inspirational environment that aims at tackling challenges the educational world wants to be solved.
Tapasya Group of Institutions distinguishes itself via an integrated approach to education. Aside from great teaching, each campus offers a variety of good amenities, such as state-of-the-art AC classrooms, cyclic student evaluation, skill development coaching, and campus placement service, to ensure that every student has a well-rounded educational experience.
Placements in top organizations hold the position of pride among Tapasya’s various accomplishments. A reputation for fostering exceptional students, with fine instructors and dedicated student counselling cells staffed by skilled specialists, as well as ensuring the participation of cutting-edge businesses in every campus recruitment campaign.
Outperforming the Obstacles
In the beginning, the major challenges were Parents’ Perception and Students’ willingness to study Commerce and Management Courses.
During 2000- 2012, Parents were guiding their wards to become Engineers and Doctors. The majority of the students aspire to join IITs and Medicine. This has changed with the rising of Job Opportunities in Commerce and Management studies.
Sridhar shares, “In the beginning, we established standards in Commerce and Management Courses and resulted in achieving Top Ranks in Integrated Professional Courses (MEC + CA/CMA).”
Now, COVID-19 has changed the Teaching Methodology and Effectiveness in Teaching is a Big Task to Faculties. As you might be aware that, New Technology is developed in the Delivery of Lectures at every stage of education.
In this scenario, Faculty Training to adopt the changes in Technology and Effectiveness in Teaching are new challenges at the present.
Technological Transformation of the Educational Sector
Sridhar believes, “We all know that everything will change and has been changing throughout time.” Technology is responsible for the progress of the globe. Technology is rapidly altering the face of the world, and its impact can be seen in the educational system as well. The educational system has been enhanced in numerous ways, and it is now difficult to even draw parallels with the conventional element of education.
The global pandemic has accelerated the trend of incorporating technology into education. Using technology in the classroom is becoming more of a must than a choice for teachers and administrators, instructors, and students.
In addition, several institutions have included E-learning into their curriculum in recent years. However, in order to manage institutions and classes, every institution must today rely on technology.
The Pandemic Reboot
The pandemic has reshaped education for everyone. Virtual classrooms and online programmes have mostly supplanted the conventional classroom teaching technique. As a result, it would not be incorrect to state that technology is altering the face of education.
In the age of technology, multimedia is a centre of chances and possibilities for instructors and students. Sridhar says, “We are all familiar with multimedia, but for the uninitiated, it includes audio, videos, music, infographics, gifs, and more formats.”
Teachers’ teaching quality has increased as a result of the use of audio, video, and other multimedia capabilities, and they are now better equipped to instruct pupils.
Faculty and students may utilize PowerPoint presentations, animation, and other tools to prepare their projects in novel ways. Multimedia makes things easier and improves communication between professors and students. When it comes to education, multimedia is a godsend.
Reshaping the Learning Experience
Faculty may use augmented reality to give better instruction to their pupils. There are dozens of applications accessible for education that target various components needed by students and teachers. For example, 3D arts definition applications are available to educate visual arts. With visual representation, it makes education easier and clearer.
Augmented reality assists teachers in improving their learning outcomes by increasing engagement and interactivity between educators and students. AR is becoming a need for institutions since it is inexpensive, easy to use, and effective.
Previously, instructors and students were the primary sources of information. The only way to study extra was to go to the library or acquire books from other places. It also wastes their time. However, pupils benefit from the availability of internet study materials.
The Digital Boon
Online study material allows students to obtain study materials while sitting in a single location. They do not need to go to the library to find study materials. They can have access to the information at any time and from any location. It has made it extremely simple, and it provides students with a plethora of options from which to pick for their convenience.
Assessment is the fundamental principle of teaching, and it is critical to evaluate what pupils have learnt. There are two sorts of assessments: summative and formative. A teacher’s obligation does not end when they instruct their students; it continues while they assess their progress.
Tech Aided Assessment
The primary goal of teaching is to guarantee that students are learning and benefiting from it, which is accomplished with the aid of assessment. With the ability to measure progress, technology has simplified this aspect of schooling. Teachers can analyse students’ performance in real-time using online teaching applications and classroom management apps.
Studying online with Learning Management System (LMS) study material encourages pupils to learn for themselves while also increasing their self-confidence.
Teachers can now benefit from artificial intelligence. Grading systems were time-consuming; however, technology has recently created an automated grading method for multiple choice questions. Artificial intelligence also suggests that the learner improves in areas where they are poor. Thus, there is no doubt that technology is revolutionizing education.
Sridhar’s Sincere Advice
Sridhar’s advice to the aspirants who are willing to venture into the field of Commerce and Management education is in earnest.
The Implementation of a New Educational Policy (NEP-2020) with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 increases the number of opportunities to begin Deemed Universities, Private Universities, and AICTE-approved Management Courses.
Sridhar suggests, “In this situation, my sincere recommendation to new generation entrepreneurs is to comprehend the modern education system and to adopt new technology applications to join commerce and management education.”
For example, Byju’s, Vedantu, Unacademy, Physicswala, and so on.
Telescoping the Future
The Central and State Governments are encouraging educational institutions to collaborate with businesses and are changing the standard ratification norms for professors and associate professors.
As a result, Commerce and Management Colleges appoint Industry Experts and Professionals to foster students’ expertise and encourage them to conduct Internships in a variety of sectors. By implementing qualitative improvements and new initiatives in commerce and management education, additional job prospects are created, and students are encouraged to pursue start-ups and form their own businesses.
