Lucknow: In the rapidly evolving educational landscape of Uttar Pradesh, the School of Management Sciences (SMS), Lucknow, stands out as a symbol of purposeful growth and academic credibility.
From its early years as a technical institute to its current status as a NAAC A+–accredited centre of excellence, SMS Lucknow has carved a distinctive identity rooted in innovation, ethics, and employability. At the helm of this journey is Sharad Singh, Secretary and CEO, whose leadership philosophy blends strategic vision with a deep commitment to nation-building through education.
Question: SMS Lucknow has completed nearly two decades of its journey. How do you reflect on its evolution?
Answer: The journey has been both challenging and deeply fulfilling. When SMS Lucknow was founded in 2008 under the SMS Society, our goal was not merely to create another professional institute, but to respond meaningfully to the skill gaps that became evident after India’s economic liberalisation. Over the years, SMS has evolved from a modest technical education provider into a multi-disciplinary institution offering engineering, management, commerce, vocational, and diploma programs. This transformation reflects our belief that education must continuously adapt to societal and industry needs.
Question: The SMS Society’s roots go back to 1995 in Varanasi. How did that legacy influence SMS Lucknow?
Answer:The foundation laid in Varanasi was critical. The SMS Society was established as a nonprofit initiative with a clear focus on innovative, ethical, and application-oriented education. That philosophy guided our expansion to Lucknow. Being the state capital, Lucknow offered the perfect ecosystem—administrative, academic, and industrial—to nurture talent for a globalized economy. The legacy ensured that even as we expanded, our focus remained on quality, values, and social responsibility.
Question: Infrastructure and campus culture are often decisive for students. How has SMS addressed this?
Answer: We strongly believe that a stimulating environment enhances learning outcomes. Our 16-acre green campus on the Lucknow–Sultanpur Highway has been thoughtfully developed with smart classrooms, advanced laboratories, air-conditioned auditoriums, hostels, sports facilities, and a gymnasium. Beyond physical infrastructure, we focus on creating a culture of trust, discipline, collaboration, and curiosity—qualities essential for professional and personal success.
Question: SMS Lucknow has achieved remarkable accreditations in a short time. What do these milestones mean to you?
Answer: Accreditations are external validations of internal commitment. Achieving an NAAC A+ grade with a score of 3.45 in our second cycle, and emerging as one of the top-ranked affiliated institution in AKTU and University of Lucknow, was a proud moment. It affirmed the robustness of our academic systems, governance practices, and student-centric approach. ISO certification and UGC recognition under Sections 2(f) and 12(B) further strengthened our institutional standing and research capabilities.
Question: How does SMS ensure its academic programs remain industry-relevant?
Answer: Relevance is the cornerstone of our curriculum design. We were among the first in Lucknow to introduce B.Voc. in Software Development, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020. Our B.Tech specializations in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning, and IoT reflect future workforce demands. Regular industry interactions, updated syllabi, hands-on labs, and our Employability Enhancement Programme ensure students graduate with both technical competence and professional confidence.
Question: Placements have been a strong point for SMS. How do you view this success?
Answer: Placements are an outcome, not an isolated goal. With over 150 recruiters visiting annually and placement rates consistently exceeding 90%, we see this as a reflection of student preparedness and industry trust. Our structured training in aptitude, soft skills, and mock interviews equips students to perform well. More importantly, our alumni are excelling across sectors, including IT, manufacturing, consulting, and entrepreneurship, which validates our long-term educational impact. Collaborations with reputed organisations such as Mentza AI, NPTEL, UnStop, Internshala and CISCO Academy, further strengthens our resolve to improve employability of our students.
Question: What role do research and innovation play at SMS Lucknow today?
Answer: Research is essential for institutional maturity. Through the C.V. Raman Centre for Research and Innovation, we encourage faculty and students to work on sustainable technologies, interdisciplinary research, and real-world problem-solving. SMS Incubation and Entrepreneurial Foundation at our campus supports student-led ventures, fostering an entrepreneurial mind set.
Question: Looking ahead, what is your vision for SMS Lucknow’s future?
Answer: Our long-term vision is to evolve into a premier university with a global outlook and strong ethical foundations. Emerging opportunities—such as Lucknow’s development as an AI city—will shape our future programs, research focus, and partnerships. We aim to expand international collaborations, increase patent-driven research, strengthen startup incubation, and deepen our contribution to inclusive growth and rural transformation.
Question: Your message to aspiring students and stakeholders?
Answer: Education is a powerful tool for transformation when guided by purpose. At SMS Lucknow, we strive to create professionals who are not only employable, but also socially responsible and ethically grounded. To students, I would say—choose an institution that invests in your holistic development. To stakeholders, our commitment remains steadfast: to contribute meaningfully to Uttar Pradesh’s and India’s evolving knowledge economy.
