We recently had the privilege of interviewing Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty, also known as Dr. Neil, a renowned figure in multiple fields, including education, management, and entrepreneurship. Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty is the Founder & Chairman of Asian College of Teachers (ACT), and the Founder & President of East Bridge University (EBU). He is also the co-founder of the International Education Accreditation Council (IEAC) and serves as the President of the Asia Education Conclave (AEC).
With over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur and strategy consultant in Asia, Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty has made major contributions to the field of education, especially in Asia. Moreover, his work expands in over 46 nations, where Dr. Chakraborty creates customized learning experiences, offering effective educational strategies and training programs.
Early Life and Educational Background
We first asked, “Could you share some background about yourself, including your early life and educational journey?”
Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty shared, “I have been an edupreneur and strategy consultant in Asia since 2003 and I have always harbored a strong passion for teaching and education which delivers real results. From championing accessible higher education and teacher & corporate training to aspirants around the world to building a global community that brings the world’s most influential minds in education to share innovative ideas and best practices, I have aimed to transform education for adult learners and working professionals.
I completed my PhD in Management Science and hold a Doctor of Business Administration with two Masters – in Education (M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction Design) and in Business Administration. I have worked as a lecturer at a reputed University in Bangkok, Thailand, and have been serving as a Research Advisor for an international university’s doctoral students hailing from 16 countries.
My professional journey began in 1994 in Kolkata, India where I started my career as a corporate training executive gradually moving up the career ladder by holding senior managerial positions and later assuming leadership positions as Director – Business Development (Asia Pacific). This gradually paved the way for an enriching entrepreneurial journey that resonated with my aspirations and dreams and ever since it has been a journey of continuous learning and growth.”
More About Dr. Sanjib’s Business
To learn more about Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty’s organizations we asked, “Can you tell us more about your company and its role in your region?”
Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty replied, “My entrepreneurial journey began with teacher education, and starting the Asian College of Teachers (ACT) was a dream come true. Asian College of Teachers (ACT), a multiple award-winning institution, has carved a niche as one of the Asian leaders in teacher education since its inception in 2007 boasting an impressive 50,000+ alumni and 600+ school networks across Asia. ACT is registered in the UK with its Asian headquarter in Bangkok, Thailand, office in the USA, and a PAN India presence.
ACT’s success was a major driving force that spurred further expansion and I took the leap into higher education aimed at working professionals.
I realized the urgency of providing opportunities for working adults in every corner of the globe and that led to the birth of East Bridge University (EBU).
EBU provides a wide range of online Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate Programs that are affordable and tailor-made to suit the needs of adults who are looking for higher education opening a variety of career pathways in Business, Education, Teaching, and Management. The journey with us does not end here for all our students as we go that extra mile to celebrate their accomplishments at a grand Convocation Ceremony every year in Bangkok, Thailand.”
Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty further added, “Apart from this, I have built a global community – Asia Education Conclave (AEC) for all those associated with teaching, training, and education to learn from each other and network. AEC hosts the Asian Education Awards every year and brings academic scholars and education experts together on one platform to share knowledge and best practices.
I have also co-founded the International Education Accreditation Council (IEAC) which creates and maintains quality standards that institutions, educators, and programs must meet. IEAC evaluates educational institutions, programs, and even the performances of educators across the globe through a stringent review process. This evaluation typically involves site visits, self-assessment reports, and inputs from faculty, students, and other stakeholders before accreditation is finally granted.
Furthermore, we have Asia Education Digest (AED), an online magazine offering the latest insights into education. It features articles, tips, and resources for educators, parents, and students. We also have the Centre for Training and Professional Development (CTPD), which offers customized training courses for individuals and organizations, tailored to meet their specific challenges and goals. Our experts work with organizations to create a program that aligns with their objectives and delivers measurable results.”
On Becoming An Efficient Leader
Eager to learn about Dr. Chakraborty’s perspective on becoming an effective leader in his industry, we asked, “In your view, what qualities define a successful leader in your industry?”
Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty replied, “I would say that passion and persistence are some of the vital traits of a successful educational leader. I have always been extremely passionate about education and that passion propelled me to transform my vision into reality. Furthermore, I have always been in a persistent pursuit of opportunities and have never failed to let go of any of them.
If you want to be a successful leader, you have to be an innovative risk-taker. I have taken a whole lot of risks in my career but ensured that I move forward with structured experimentation. Although I have been guiding the trajectory of my business, I believe that my employees have always been an important asset and they remain key to organizational success.”
Adaptability To The Latest Advancements
We were interested to understand how Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty’s businesses adapt to the latest technological advancements. So, we inquired, “How has your organization adapted to the ongoing digital revolution and technological advancements?”
Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty responded, “Since our inception in 2007 we have been into online learning as we have already adopted and integrated e-learning technologies to impart high-quality training and make our courses available to teaching aspirants across the globe. Over the years we have developed our own Learning Management System (LMS) and we have a potent digital infrastructure to combat any future crisis scenario.
We, at ACT, are committed to making a learner’s journey outstanding by providing an actively engaged experience by integrating ICT – Information and Communication Technology into our course design.”
“Online trainees are given a unique user ID and password using which they can access the course materials from anywhere and on any device. They can access and complete the course on Desktop, Laptop, Mobile, or Tablet. Live online classes are conducted on webinar-based platforms which can be attended from any part of the globe.
Moreover, our course content comprises online reading materials and links to scholarly journals, research, PowerPoints, videos, and many more to help our students gain a better understanding of the subject matter and develop relevant skills. We provide three kinds of Videos – Explainer Videos, 2D Animation Videos on specific course-related topics, and also Expert Video Live Sessions (Pre-recorded) where critical topics are explained by expert educators from renowned institutions.” Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty shared.
Words Of Wisdom For Beginners
Addressing the beginners, we asked, “What advice would you offer to someone beginning their career in your field?”
“I believe that to become a successful edupreneur, one requires a unique combination of educational expertise, business acumen, and a deep passion for learning and education. Education is a vast field so it is really important to find your niche and set clear goals, both short-term and long-term.
You need to be very consistent and continuously track your progress, revise your strategies, and remain focused on your mission. Being in the digital age you need to be an innovator as well and come up with unique learning models leveraging technology and in fact, stay ahead of technological trends to enhance the learning experience.” Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty shared.
Follow Prof. Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty on LinkedIn.
Find Asian College of Teachers on LinkedIn and visit their website http://www.asiancollegeofteachers.com
Find East Bridge University on LinkedIn and visit their website https://www.ebu.ac/
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