Winning through teaching

Nanyang Technological University professor's ability to make complicated ideas accessible and engaging made him the best

It is not big surprise that Vijay Sethi won the inaugural Best Business Professor Award. For years, he was involved in preparing and coaching Nanyang MBA students for international business plan competitions, according to his profile in the Nanyang website.

Though Sethi has spent much of his professional life in the United States and Singapore, the foundation was laid in Delhi. Sethi completed BTech in chemical engineering from IIT Delhi, before moving to the US for an MBA in General Management from Ohio University.

Soon after completing his Phd in 1988, he took to teaching as Assistant Professor in the School of Management, New York State University in Buffalo. “Teaching changes lives. For some, it gets them their first jobs; for others, a career switch; and for many, it changes the way they think,” Sethi said  after receiving the Economist Best Business Professor award.  “It is making this difference that makes me passionate about teaching.  Through teaching, we improve people’s minds – the greatest gift we have. We are all what we are today because someone taught us, educated us. Teaching is my way of giving back.”

Professor Sethi teaches e-business and technological entrepreneurship classes for the Nanyang Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme, and information technology management to undergraduates.  

Professor Sethi’s winning lecture was based on the subject of digital networks and the dynamics of network-based industries.  While Sethi expressed his gratitude for the contribution of the students in stringing together the ideas in the winning presentation, his students are all praise for his teaching style that is laced with a great sense of humour. Andrew, a student  who nominated Sethi for the award, said “Professor Vijay's teaching style is truly one of a kind in a large classroom setting. He leads group discussions with impressive analysis and sound critical feedback. Additionally, he keeps interest levels extremely high with his enthusiasm, humour and passion. Simply put, his classes have been receiving rave reviews amongst students for this reason.”

Vijay's teaching style is also said to throw challenges. “His teaching style encompasses traditional cold calling while simultaneously keeps energy level extremely high with his insight, passion, enthusiasm and humour. You never know when he may call you out in front of the class to share all of your thoughts (you better be prepared or you will be embarrassed). He keeps us on our toes every second of the class and we actually enjoy it!”

Besides teaching, Sethi has held many leadership roles at the school, including Director of International Business Competitions, Coordinator of India Strategy and Dean of the Business Program. He has also worked with a number of Singapore companies as a consultant and for executive education programs including Abacus International and International Data Corporation.

Specialising in electronic commerce, IT entrepreneurship, strategic information systems planning, IT productivity, and knowledge management, Sethi is published in the top IT journals and internationally recognized for his research, a release in the University’s website said.

Chair of the judging panel William Ridgers said, “Vijay was clearly a very worthy winner. He took some complicated ideas and made them accessible and engaging to the audience.”

For Sethi, “Winning the title is a culmination of decades of teaching and it feels great to be recognised on a global platform.  More than that, I feel happy for the students whose trust and confidence I did not belie.”