Dr N Kannan Sir was sitting right in front of me on a warm sunny morning in July 26, 2019, when I first saw him.

I was also oblivious to the fact that I was waiting to meet him.

The first call was for him, and he went inside; after a few moments, I was called to the office and introduced to the new Dean IR.

It was a nice discussion in which we explored our goals for developing a strong entrepreneurship culture. He commanded our team for more than a year, and we tried our best to support him.

His ascension from a village boy to the principalship of Oxford Engineering College in Bangalore was not easy.

He was born into a middle-class family in Namakkal’s Pavithiram Pudur Village.

From there, he travelled to India’s IT capital.

He elevated whatever position he was given by his manner of functioning.

His father worked as a mathematician. He was a successful student from the beginning. He went to Government Higher Secondary School after finishing class 10 from Government High School in Pavithram Pudur. He proceeded on to Kumaraguru College of Technology in Coimbatore, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree. He obtained his master’s degree from Annamalai University and then transferred to Bharathidasan University to pursue his doctorate.

He was the principal of Jayaram College of Engineering and Technology in Tiruchirappalli for more than 20 years.

Later, he became the dean of industrial relations and the head of the Department of Computer Science Engineering at SRM Institute of Science and Technology Ramapuram Campus.

He shared his philosophy of entrepreneurship during his tenure as Dean of IR.

a man who is well-versed in entrepreneurship and a fervent supporter of creativity

For several months, my colleagues and I kept a close eye on his working style.

He backed us up in every way that a team could.

He never left the sinking ship in his entire administrative career.

We learned to be patient to excel because of him.

In just a few months, we established a close bond.

He is an effective motivator and a caring tutor.

I used to run to his office whenever I had a problem.

And, like good comrades, he would sit up late with us to inspire us during late-night activities.

He went to Oxford Engineering College in Bangalore after leaving SRM. About the fact that distance makes it impossible for us to communicate regularly, we call each other anytime we have the chance, exchange experiences, and plot how to make our vision a reality.