Students who go through education without practical experience, ethical guidance, or entrepreneurial skills may graduate with degrees but lack the confidence, creativity, and real-world readiness to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Without hands-on learning, mentorship, and industry exposure, they risk entering the workforce unprepared, missing opportunities to lead, innovate, or make a meaningful impact on society.
Dr. Thomas George (Thomman), Director of LEAD College, has transformed the institution into a hub of academic excellence and holistic development. Through his “Learn by Doing” pedagogy, self-ownership practices via LOT, and initiatives like the LEAD Business Incubator, students gain real-world skills, critical thinking, and an innovation mindset. By fostering strong industry partnerships, research collaborations, and technology-driven learning, he has positioned the college as a pioneer in transformative management education. Achievements such as the Young Innovative Institutions Award underscore his impact, sparking curiosity about how his leadership is shaping the next generation of future-ready leaders.
Preparing Students for Industry Success
Dr. Thomas leads an institution committed to developing socially responsible, innovative, and globally competent leaders. The college aims to be a center of excellence in management and technology education, nurturing students capable of making a meaningful impact on society and the economy. LEAD College’s mission emphasizes transformative learning that combines academic rigor with practical exposure, focusing on ethical leadership, entrepreneurship, and holistic development. Its “Learn by Doing” approach sets it apart in the Indian education landscape, blending classroom learning with real-world applications to ensure students are industry-ready from day one.
Supported by strong mentoring, industry partnerships, and community engagement, this methodology fosters creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility. LEAD College focuses on holistic development, leadership training, and ethical practices, shaping not just managers but transformative leaders ready to make a meaningful impact on society and the economy.
Building Leaders Who Think Critically and Creatively
Dr. Thomas George has played a key role in shaping LEAD College’s culture of academic excellence and innovation.
His most notable contributions include:
- Redefining management education through experiential learning and self-ownership practices, encouraging students to think, analyze, reflect, and act independently
- Implementing the “Learn by Doing” model, creating a dynamic, practice-oriented framework that bridges theory with industry application
- Developing a strong mentoring system that nurtures leadership, emotional intelligence, and social responsibility
- Establishing robust industry partnerships, research engagement, and entrepreneurial initiatives
These initiatives position LEAD College as a pioneer in transformative management education in India.
Experiential Projects and Industry Collaboration
Dr. Thomas George envisions the future of higher education in India as being shaped by innovation, interdisciplinarity, and experiential learning. He observes that traditional barriers between disciplines are gradually disappearing, giving way to flexible, skill-based education that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility. With technology transforming every aspect of life and work, he believes educators must prepare students not just for employment, but for lifelong learning and leadership in a rapidly evolving world.
At LEAD College, this vision is put into practice through a learner-centric, outcome-based curriculum that integrates technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. The college emphasizes experiential projects, strong industry collaboration, and personalized mentoring to develop future-ready competencies, cultivating graduates who are career-ready and capable of driving meaningful change in society and the global economy.
Personalized Guidance for Every Student
Under Dr. Thomas George’s leadership, LEAD College has implemented several initiatives that significantly enhance student learning outcomes:
- LEAD Mentoring Model: Personalized guidance for academic growth, emotional well-being, and career readiness
- LEAD Business Incubator and E-MBA with Entrepreneurship Focus: Cultivating entrepreneurial thinking and producing successful ventures
- ILEAD, Community Immersion Projects, and Corporate Interface Series: Exposure to real-world challenges
- LEAD Scholarship Program (LEAD Score): Fully funded MBA opportunities for deserving students
- LOT-integrated campus model: Enabling students to apply classroom concepts through live projects, internships, and industry collaborations
Global Academic Partnerships
Dr. Thomas George believes that collaboration is essential for growth in higher education. Under his leadership, LEAD College actively pursues partnerships that support holistic and future-focused learning. The college is expanding academic collaborations with international universities to enable student and faculty exchanges, joint research, and global exposure. Strengthening industry partnerships is also a priority, ensuring students gain hands-on experience with real-world business challenges and emerging technologies through live projects and internships, exemplified by the recent MoU with Kudumbashree.
LEAD College also collaborates with ed-tech platforms, integrating advanced digital tools and AI-driven learning analytics into its curriculum. Additionally, partnerships with social impact organizations, such as the ongoing association with Elapully Grama Swaraj Project, enhance community engagement and sustainability initiatives. Through these strategic alliances, LEAD College is building a global network of learning and innovation, preparing students to lead with competence, creativity, and conscience.
Culture of Outcome-Based Education
Implementing transformative education at LEAD College came with challenges, primarily shifting mindsets from traditional, exam-focused learning to experiential, outcome-based education. Dr. Thomas George addressed this through continuous faculty development, workshops, and programs like the five-day life skills course, ‘Turning Point,’ to foster personal growth. Integrating technology was another focus, achieved by upgrading digital infrastructure, adopting learning management systems, and providing hands-on training. The revamped MBA and MCA curricula, introduced after autonomy, ensure industry-ready, updated programs. Through collaboration, persistence, and a shared vision, these challenges became opportunities for growth and innovation at LEAD College.
Internships, Projects, and Corporate Mentoring Opportunities
At LEAD College, a dynamic ecosystem brings together technology, research, and industry engagement to develop globally competitive graduates. The college’s teaching framework uses digital tools, simulation exercises, and data-driven platforms to strengthen students’ analytical and problem-solving skills. This allows students to actively apply technology in classrooms, projects, and assessments, making learning interactive and future-ready. Research is also a key focus, with faculty and students encouraged to work on applied, socially relevant projects in collaboration with industry and community partners, fostering critical thinking and innovation. Strong industry connections give students hands-on experience through internships, live consulting projects, corporate mentoring, and leadership sessions, bridging the gap between theory and practice while building skills that meet global standards of professionalism and leadership.
Education Beyond Academics
At LEAD College, education is viewed as incomplete without strong values. At LEAD College, education goes beyond academics; it’s built on strong values that shape responsible and innovative leaders. The college integrates ethical leadership, social responsibility, and innovation into every part of campus life. Transparency, accountability, and integrity are core principles followed in all processes, creating a culture of trust and ownership.
Faculty are trained through values-based development programs to lead by example and guide students in making ethical decisions. Students learn social responsibility through community projects, outreach programs, and sustainability initiatives, supported by active clubs like JCI International, Lions, and Rotaract.
Innovation is encouraged through a culture of experimentation, where students are inspired to think critically, challenge ideas, and develop creative solutions through platforms such as the LEAD Business Incubator. Together, these practices create an environment where values and vision work hand in hand, producing graduates who lead with integrity, empathy, and creativity.
Investing in Educators
Dr. Thomas George believes that continuous professional development and faculty training are essential for maintaining academic excellence. The strength of any institution depends on the quality of its educators, and in today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, learning cannot stop at the classroom door. Faculty must continually update their knowledge and skills—academically, technologically, and pedagogically—to stay relevant and effective.
At LEAD College, significant emphasis is placed on ongoing faculty development through workshops, research collaborations, and exposure to the latest teaching innovations. These programs help educators refine their teaching methods, adopt technology-driven learning tools, and incorporate real-world business insights into their courses. The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and the college’s proactive Quality Assurance wing play a pivotal role in driving these initiatives. By prioritizing continuous professional development, LEAD enhances academic delivery and strengthens the culture of excellence and innovation that defines the institution.
National Recognition for Academic Excellence
Recognized as one of India’s most progressive management institutions, LEAD College continues to raise the bar in higher education through its focus on innovation, academic rigor, and strong industry integration. Its growing list of national honors reflects the institution’s transformative approach to shaping future-ready leaders.
Some of the key recognitions include:
- Young Innovative Institutions Award: Ranked 22nd across India, recognizing the college’s commitment to experiential learning and forward-looking academic practices.
- MHW Diamond Band (R World Ranking): Honored for maintaining a dynamic academic ecosystem and driving industry-oriented initiatives.
- Education 6.0 by Chronicles of India: Achieved an 84th position nationwide for excellence in teaching, quality assurance, and student engagement.
Together, these distinctions reaffirm LEAD College’s position as a nationally respected center for leadership and management education, motivating students and educators to pursue excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact.
Lead With Purpose, Empathy, And Vision
Dr. Thomas George advises emerging leaders in the academic sector to lead with purpose, empathy, and vision. He emphasizes that education today is not merely about imparting knowledge, but about transforming lives. To make a meaningful impact, leaders must embrace change, think beyond traditional models, and remain closely attuned to the needs of learners and society. He encourages future leaders to nurture curiosity and collaboration, creating environments where innovation thrives and every voice is valued. Mentorship and emotional intelligence should be prioritized, as great institutions are built on intellect and on compassion and trust.
Above all, he highlights that education leadership is a continuous journey of learning—requiring openness to new ideas, responsible use of technology, and unwavering integrity. By leading with authenticity and a commitment to empowering others, leaders have the power to shape institutions and the futures of those they serve.
Dr. Thomas George’s Vision for LEAD College
Looking ahead, Dr. Thomas George envisions LEAD College focusing on:
- Deepening academic excellence
- Expanding global engagement and partnerships
- Fostering innovation-driven leadership
- Holistic student development through mentorship, leadership initiatives, and community projects
- Continuous professional development, global collaborations, and advanced digital infrastructure
Through these initiatives, LEAD College is set to strengthen its legacy of producing visionary leaders capable of driving meaningful change in society and the global economy.
