John Hoffmire: As a professor of Information Management, how would you define your field?
Anjali: Information management is an emerging field that is concerned with the infrastructure used to collect, manage, preserve, protect, store and deliver information. The guiding principle of this infrastructure allows information to be available to the right people at the right time and protects that information from getting into any wrong hands.
As a professor I am involved with research, training, and consulting related to information systems, e-Governance, cyber security, privacy, data protection, as well as business continuity in general. I also served as Chief Investigator for the project on Creation and Deployment of Cyber Security Framework for e-Governance services of the Government of India. That means I develop information security best practice frameworks for the government sector in India.
John: Tell me about your work with e-governance and cyber security.
Anjali: In the area of e-governance, my work has been to evaluate and design roadmaps of government programmes and schemes under the Digital India programme. For example, I recently worked on the government’s employment generation programme, food security schemes, and with the Ministry of Minority Affairs working on skill development in traditional and non-traditional trades for minority communities. Here, we worked to improve opportunities for self-employment, market linkages, fairs, exhibitions, all in the form of government support and placement.
On cyber security, as I mentioned before, I work on developing the best practice framework of information security for the government. In this capacity, I’m working on projects that review the practices in India and also join as part of an Indian delegation on cyber diplomacy and cyber security.
John: I met you several years ago in Oxford when you were in Oxford Tell me about your experience with the Chevening Research Science and Innovation Leadership Programme (CRISP).
Anjali: I was a Fellow of the Chevening Research Science and Innovation Leadership Programme (CRISP) at the Said Business School at Oxford University in 2013. CRISP was my first exposure to an education system in a foreign university. What caught my attention first was the meticulous planning that was done even before our batch arrived. The plans were shared with us in advance and once in Oxford, our programme director, Richard Briant, personally familiarized us with the different colleges, the Bodleian library and many other treasures of Oxford.
The selection of scholars was carefully thought out, creating a batch that had representation from senior government officers, corporate, academia, and bureaucrats. This breadth of experience greatly enriched the discussions during the programme, and through them, I developed a better understanding of business strategy, sustainability issues, leadership, and policy. We were exposed to the United Kingdom’s science and innovation ecosystem through visits to places such as the Begbroke Science Park, the Centre for Innovation and Enterprise, and London where we learned about the world’s first social impact bond. We also visited the Rolls-Royce civil aerospace and defence divisions in Derby, Cambridge University, Brighton University, and the European Commission in Brussels. The programme is a mix of classroom sessions, field visits, and sessions by eminent professors and thought leaders. There was a session by former Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen on disruptive innovation that was a highlight.
While the overall programme was a great experience, I realized it was only the beginning. Once a CRISP Fellow, you become a part of the Chevening family and have the opportunity to participate in events on an ongoing basis. As such, the CRISP association and network have continued to play an important role in my career and personal life.
John: It’s good to hear that the CRISP program continues to have a positive influence for you. It sure has a continued positive influence on me as I get to reconnect with India and Sri Lanka’s finest movers and shakers, such as you. Thank you for talking with me.
Anjali: It’s been my pleasure, especially to remember the life-changing experiences, learning opportunities, and the network of colleagues that I gained as a CRISP Fellow.
Anjali Kaushik is a Professor and Department Chair of Information Management at the Management Development Institute in Gurgaon, India. She was also Chief Investigator for creation and deployment of Cyber Security Framework for e-Governance services of the Government of India, Ex-Indian Air Force Officer, and a Chevening (CRISP) Scholar (2013)
Interviewer: Dr. John Hoffmire is the Chairman of the Center on Business and Poverty, the Director of Employee Ownership at Teamshares, and Research Associate at the Oxford Centre for Mutual and Co-owned Business
Click here to read the entire interview at the Center on Business and Poverty