Hom Bahadur Adhikari, Principal of International Joseph Public School, is a dynamic and energetic personality lending his visionary leadership to education. A mention active involvements in Joseph High School/College as Vice Principal, National PABSAN Kathmandu District Committee as Vice President, Amnesty International Nepal Central Committee as Deputy General Secretary and HISSAN Bagmati Province as a Committee Member, is enough to enumerate his contribution to the field of education. He has shared his view with College Readers. Some Excerpts:

What inspired you to pursue a career in education, and how did you become a principal?

Thousands of people are inspired to pursue a career in education because they have passion for working with and helping others, particularly in the context of learning and development.  I had a few powerful motivations for entering the field of education such as influential teachers, love for learning, passion for making a difference, personal fulfillment urge, etc. To become a principal, one typically follows a career progression within the field of education. After gaining teaching experience that provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for teaching career, one can think of assuming managerial roles. After passing master degree, I obtained an administrative certification that helped me apply for a principal's position and I got it.

Can you describe the vision and mission of your institution, and the way do you plan to achieve them?

The vision of our Institution is “Provide value-based education to build up character, prepare individuals skilled enough to bear their social responsibilities, and to build a comprehensive, prospective and energetic academic community. Our mission is to create visionary leaders for the competitive world and to educate and train youth of Nepal in a professional and competitive environment.

The vision of my principalship centers on the satisfaction of the students and parents, facilitated by my coordination with the faculties. The satisfaction of the communities (students and parents) is ensured with quality and timely education delivered by qualified and result-oriented faculties. Moreover, a model institution for discipline, quality education, and excellent result is always in my priority. We have launched various academic programs with quality learners, quality environment, quality content and quality teachers. We are applying continuous method of assessment and apply excellent teaching techniques to develop the soft and hard skill knowledge. As a missionary of the institution, I formulate such policies centering on excellence.

How has your experience as a principal evolved over the years, and what have been some of your most significant achievements?

As a principal, I worked as a supporter, social worker and leaders in my school and community. I encouraged guardians, faculty members and students equally. With the support of our guardians, public and well-wishers, our school is being recognized as a reputed organization in Kathmandu within a few years of its establishment. Our tradition of excellence in grooming our students has been substantiated by their accomplishment in national and international job markets. At Joseph we are passionate about grooming our students not only as a professionals but also a good human beings with moral values and ethics. This is one of our most significant achievements. 

What is your approach to working with faculty and staff, and how do you foster a culture of collaboration and innovation in your institution?

Now, I know the duties and responsibilities of a principal which involves the risk of maintaining and developing the overall parts of a school. Administration apart, faculty and staff need to have a good communication to enhance the standard of institutions and maintain better public relation that supports in increasing the number of students. Maintaining excellent academic environment with discipline is a must, and for that, we must ensure the availability of experienced and dedicated faculties engaging students with extra-curricular activities, frequent meetings and interactions with communities through advertisement and other sources.

What I hope to address while sharing my experiences is that we all need to honestly assess where we are with various issues and look for good solutions that are evidence-based. Perhaps one of the most important things I have learned as an academic administrator is the importance of collaboration.

The faculty members are at the core of what we do in academy, and I have experienced the ups and downs of the relationship between administration and faculty. From my perspective, I'm always ready to address the faculty members' reasonable demands like increasing their salary and providing facilities. This makes it easy for me to motivate them.

Collaboration and cooperation are essential for any organization that wants to achieve its goals, innovate newer ideas and adapt to changing environments. However, fostering a culture of collaboration and cooperation among diverse employees and teams can be challenging especially when there are differences in backgrounds, perspectives and values. I cultivate a culture of collaboration and cooperation to define a clear and compelling vision and purpose for my employees and team. I make sure that vision and purpose in the organization is clearly realized, and all voices are heard. These are the foundation of a positive and productive relationship and this can foster a climate of openness and honesty.

How do you prepare students to meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce, and what skills and competencies, you believe, are most essential for success?

To prepare student for the demands of the 21st century workforce, educators and institutions should focus on developing a set of essential skills and competencies that are highly valued in the current professional landscape. Some of the skills that emphasize the importance of effective collaboration and communication are extremely crucial. We provide opportunities for students to work in teams, engage in group projects and develop interpersonal skills. We also encourage clear and concise verbal and written communication, active listening and the ability to collaborate with diverse individuals and groups.

Creativity and innovation foster creativity and encourage students to think out of the box. We promote an environment that nurtures innovation, curiosity and originally. Similarly, digital literacy and technology, adaptability and flexibility, critical thinking and problem solving and emotional intelligence are very much a part of our academic exercises.

As HISSAN Bagmati Province is a newly formed social organization, what essential things do you consider essential to make it stronger and more successful?

HISSAN Bagmati should work to create a better environment providing skill-based education to our youngsters in schools and colleges. We should create opportunities for the students with collaboration of Bagmati Province Government so that we can stop students' migration to countries aboard for higher study. We must bring reforms and improvements in society. The nation needs a meaningful participation of young people to lead the country towards progress by achieving its targets. HISSAN Bagmati should connect our students with farming, production and hospitality management too.

What would you suggest for the SEE result awaiting students for the wise selection of subjects and colleges?

For students awaiting their SEE results and planning to select subject and colleges, I have some suggestion which can help them make wise decisions. Consult a research on different fields and careers, explore interest, and seek guidance and advice from teachers, parents, career counselors or professionals in the field of your interest. Consider colleges and course reputation. Consider factors such as the institution's reputation, faculty and network. I would like to advise students to choose an institution that has a strong track record in their chosen field and can enhance their educational experiences and future opportunities.

I would also suggest them to evaluate admission criteria and requirements of the different colleges as well as keep their future options open while choosing subjects and colleges. Consider subjects that provide strong foundations for further studies or diverse career opportunities. It is important to choose a college and subjects that resonate with their goals and values.