Hear From Others
Harnessing the power of IT to transform generations
Dr Anuradha Khoda, shares about her love for information technology, her career as a digital transformational coach and about her new book
People Daily Newspaper, Interview by - Ann Wairimu
From a young age, Dr Anuradha Khoda’s predisposition for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects has been a defining aspect of her academic journey. Her inherent fascination with technology, coupled with a natural inclination towards problem-solving, steered her towards the field of Information Technology.
“Both my parents were teachers. They moulded the lives of many learners in India, Kenya, and, finally, Hong Kong. In essence, my childhood dreams of exploring the boundless possibilities of technology and exposure to a teaching profession have evolved into a reality where I contribute to the field of Information Systems as a seasoned professional with a deep-rooted passion for leveraging technology, to drive positive change, especially in all things academic,” says Dr Khoda a digital transformational coach and author
Dynamic Field of IT:
Dr Khoda, who holds a doctorate in Information Systems from the University of Western Cape, South Africa, shares how her educational background in Information Systems equipped her with a solid foundation in understanding the intricacies of emerging technologies and their transformative potential. Additionally, her professional experiences in roles where she played a pivotal role in implementing digital solutions allowed her to witness first hand the profound impact technology can have on streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and ultimately achieving strategic business objectives.
“Furthermore, staying abreast of industry trends and observing successful digital transformations across various sectors has served as a continuous source of inspiration. Witnessing organisations seamlessly adapt to the digital era and the positive outcomes of well-executed strategies has solidified my commitment to contributing to similar success stories,” she adds.
Throughout her career as a transformative individual, Dr Khoda takes great pride in several projects that reflect her commitment to revolutionising traditional educational paradigms.
One noteworthy achievement involved spearheading the transformation of a conventional brick-and-mortar school with a student population of 3,000 into a cutting-edge multimedia-led classroom environment. “This initiative not only embraced technological advancements, but also redefined the learning experience for students, fostering a dynamic and interactive educational environment.
The integration of multimedia technologies facilitated a more engaging and immersive approach to learning, creating an atmosphere conducive to both academic excellence and holistic development,” she recalls.
With a career spanning over 25 years, Dr Khoda’s expertise lies at the intersection of entrepreneurship, education, and leadership. Throughout this journey, she cultivated a wealth of experience that forms the foundation of her training programmes.
“My training programmes represent a culmination of over two decades of diverse personal experiences and the invaluable lessons derived from navigating the ups and downs of my career journey. This wealth of experience serves as the bedrock upon which I craft and deliver impactful training initiatives, whether it’s guiding academic institutions through digital transformations, assisting Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) on their digital journeys, or coaching aspiring professionals in their career transformations,” Dr Khoda says.
Staying relevant throughout the decades has been a conscious and dynamic process, rooted in a few key principles that underpin Dr Khoda’s approach to teaching and mentoring.
“Firstly, a commitment to continuous learning has been paramount. Embracing new technologies, methodologies, and industry trends ensures that my teachings remain current and aligned with the evolving landscape,” she says.
Fostering adaptability has been also been crucial to her.
DR ANURADHA,
Through all these challenges, I learned a lot. It’s like life – messy, unpredictable, but full of moments that inally make it all worthwhile
New Book:
Recently, Dr Khoda launched her debut book, The Power of Purpose: A Guide to Finding Your Life’s Mission. “The book allowed me to explore the profound impact that a sense of purpose can have on individuals and organisations.
Purpose serves as the guiding force that aligns individuals and organisations with meaningful goals, fostering a sense of direction and fulfilment.
She reveals how writing a book, especially one that delves into motivational and philosophical aspects, requires a thoughtful and deliberate approach.
“The entire process of writing the book took approximately eight months, from conceptualisation to completion. Rather than writing in a single sitting, I adopted a structured approach with regular writing sessions. This allowed me to maintain consistency and a steady flow of ideas without feeling overwhelmed. Ideas flowed at different times, showcasing the unpredictability of creativity. Some of my most inspired moments occurred in the early morning when my mind was fresh and uncluttered. However, inspiration also struck during quiet evenings or even in the midst of daily activities. Being open to ideas at any time allowed for a more organic and flexible writing process,” she says.
Throughout the writing process, seeking feedback from trusted peers and mentors played a crucial role. Constructive feedback not only refined the content, but also provided fresh perspectives, helping to overcome challenges and enhance the overall quality of the book.
Learning through challenges
In the intricate journey of crafting the book, Dr Khoda says she faced some challenges that tested her commitment to the writing adventure. First, aligning the complexity of her thoughts into a message that would connect with different readers was like trying to fit a puzzle together. It was a bit like painting a picture where the deep stuff had to meet everyone in the middle.
“I had writer’s block often. Those moments of staring at a blank page were like hitting a roadblock, but I found that taking a break, doing something else, and coming back with fresh eyes really helped. It’s funny how the best ideas sometimes pop up when you’re least expecting them — mornings, evenings, even when cooking a family meal,” Dr Khoda recalls.
In the meticulous process of editing, akin to sculpting a piece of art, ensuring coherence, flow, and maintaining her distinctive voice demanded thorough attention. Much like refining a culinary masterpiece, the aim was to strike the perfect balance — not too much embellishment, yet avoiding monotony.
Upon completing the writing phase, the focus shifted to the intricate logistics of publishing. Determining the appropriate platform, envisioning the book’s visual presentation – this phase offered a profound learning curve, particularly as a self-published author facing the challenges inherent in navigating this realm.
However, the culmination of the journey, she says, did not coincide with the book’s placement on shelves.
Instead, a new challenge emerged — the imperative of disseminating the work effectively. Analogous to introducing a new acquaintance to a group, the task was to ensure widespread awareness, compelling individuals to acquaint themselves with the essence and significance of the book.
“Through all these challenges, I learned a lot. It’s like life — messy, unpredictable, but full of moments that finally make it all worthwhile when the readers’ feedback says, ‘This is the book that I always looked for’ or ‘Now I have my coach with me at all times,’” she shares.