Soam Sachdeva : Empowering A New Generation Through Skill Development
Soam Sachdeva
Director
The institution not only imparts knowledge but also encourages its alumni to play active roles in shaping global communities, ensuring they remain connected to the mission of social change and progress. Alumni from UCL are known for their leadership and impact, with many returning to their home countries to drive forward initiatives that address critical societal needs. Their diverse backgrounds, shaped by the university's commitment to inclusivity, play a key role in transforming industries, communities, and education systems world wide.
Soam Sachdeva, Director of Sachdeva College, is a prime example of such leadership. After completing his Master’s in London in 2008, Soam returned to join his family’s education business, which has now entered its third generation. While overseeing the expansion of schools, colleges, and coaching centers, Soam’s true passion lies in skill development. Deeply inspired by India’s Skill India campaign, he became actively involved, contributing significantly to bridging the gap in skilled labor across the country. Let’s dive in to know more.
Can you share the most valuable lesson or experience you gained at University College London?
During my time at UCL, one of the most enriching experiences was the incredible diversity of people I encountered. I had the opportunity to connect with students from South America, Middle East, Africa, East Asia, and more. This exposure to such a wide range of cultures and perspectives was truly eye opening, expanding my worldview and highlighting the importance of diverse thinking.
Academically, I gained invaluable skills in time management and meeting deadlines, which have greatly contributed to my discipline and efficiency. Overall, my experiences at UCL were transformative, fostering growth both personally and professionally.
How have the skills you developed both inside and outside the classroom at University College London been applied to your current role?
Certainly. My time at UCL has had a profound impact on my approach in my current role within the education sector. Being in the same field has allowed me to directly apply what I learned. For example, understanding the dynamics of faculty-student relationships has been invaluable. UCL’s emphasis on hard work and student encouragement is something I’ve integrated into my own practices.
Additionally, I learned the importance of handling grades and feedback with confidentiality, fostering one-on-one communication between faculty and students. This approach contrasts with the public sharing of grades that was common in my home country, and has taught me the value of a more private, supportive method. This not only ensures student privacy but also motivates them to perform at their best. These insights have played a key role in shaping my professional approach.
What is the most memorable experience you had during your time at University College London?
During my Master's in Biochemical Engineering at University College London, one memory that stands out is the research project I worked on towards the end of my program. The project was highly demanding, and I distinctly remember the late nights and all nighters spent in the lab with my senior research fellow.
After two months of intense effort, I was able to publish a paper just before graduation, a moment of great pride as I was the only one in my cohort to achieve this. It taught me the invaluable lesson that hard work truly leads to success. I'm still in touch with my research fellow and cherish the memories of those 15 to 18-hour days spent pushing the boundaries of our research.
How have the skills you developed both inside and outside the classroom at University College London been applied to your current role?
Certainly. My time at UCL has had a profound impact on my approach in my current role within the education sector. Being in the same field has allowed me to directly apply what I learned. For example, understanding the dynamics of faculty-student relationships has been invaluable. UCL’s emphasis on hard work and student encouragement is something I’ve integrated into my own practices.
UCL’s emphasis on hard work and student encouragement is something I’ve integrated into my own practices
Additionally, I learned the importance of handling grades and feedback with confidentiality, fostering one-on-one communication between faculty and students. This approach contrasts with the public sharing of grades that was common in my home country, and has taught me the value of a more private, supportive method. This not only ensures student privacy but also motivates them to perform at their best. These insights have played a key role in shaping my professional approach.
What is the most memorable experience you had during your time at University College London?
During my Master's in Biochemical Engineering at University College London, one memory that stands out is the research project I worked on towards the end of my program. The project was highly demanding, and I distinctly remember the late nights and all nighters spent in the lab with my senior research fellow.
After two months of intense effort, I was able to publish a paper just before graduation, a moment of great pride as I was the only one in my cohort to achieve this. It taught me the invaluable lesson that hard work truly leads to success. I'm still in touch with my research fellow and cherish the memories of those 15 to 18-hour days spent pushing the boundaries of our research.
Can you share your leadership approach and the principles or strategies you use to guide your team?
After completing my studies at UCL, I returned to lead our shift from a B2C model, which focused on coaching centers and educational institutions, to a B2B model, actively contributing to the Government of India's Skill India campaign. We have successfully trained and placed over 20,000 students from underprivileged backgrounds. My leadership style centers on recruiting staff with high emotional intelligence, ensuring that our team connects with students’ unique needs and backgrounds. By understanding their individual challenges, we foster an environment of trust and motivation that drives their success. This approach is especially crucial in our social sector initiatives, which are primarily funded through government grants and corporate CSR contributions.
Equally important is diversifying our training across various sectors and expanding into challenging geographical regions. For instance, we have focused on the North-East, including states like Manipur and Meghalaya, as well as border areas of Jammu & Kashmir. Reaching these regions is essential not only for ensuring inclusivity in skill development but also for gaining valuable insights from working in these complex environments.
What is the future direction you are aiming for?
Looking ahead, we are broadening our scope by facilitating the placement of skilled professionals abroad. In partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation, we’ve established language training centers to prepare healthcare workers, especially nurses and caregivers, for high-demand opportunities in countries such as Germany and Japan. We believe this initiative will unlock tremendous potential in the years to come, offering life-changing opportunities for our trainees.
Soam Sachdeva, Director, Sachdeva College
Soam Sachdeva, Director of Sachdeva College, is a visionary leader with a strong focus on education and skill development. With a background in managing complex projects and a commitment to social impact, Soam has led initiatives to provide life-changing opportunities for underprivileged students. His leadership empowers diverse teams, fostering growth, inclusivity, and excellence.
After completing my studies at UCL, I returned to lead our shift from a B2C model, which focused on coaching centers and educational institutions, to a B2B model, actively contributing to the Government of India's Skill India campaign. We have successfully trained and placed over 20,000 students from underprivileged backgrounds. My leadership style centers on recruiting staff with high emotional intelligence, ensuring that our team connects with students’ unique needs and backgrounds. By understanding their individual challenges, we foster an environment of trust and motivation that drives their success. This approach is especially crucial in our social sector initiatives, which are primarily funded through government grants and corporate CSR contributions.
Equally important is diversifying our training across various sectors and expanding into challenging geographical regions. For instance, we have focused on the North-East, including states like Manipur and Meghalaya, as well as border areas of Jammu & Kashmir. Reaching these regions is essential not only for ensuring inclusivity in skill development but also for gaining valuable insights from working in these complex environments.
What is the future direction you are aiming for?
Looking ahead, we are broadening our scope by facilitating the placement of skilled professionals abroad. In partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation, we’ve established language training centers to prepare healthcare workers, especially nurses and caregivers, for high-demand opportunities in countries such as Germany and Japan. We believe this initiative will unlock tremendous potential in the years to come, offering life-changing opportunities for our trainees.
Soam Sachdeva, Director, Sachdeva College
Soam Sachdeva, Director of Sachdeva College, is a visionary leader with a strong focus on education and skill development. With a background in managing complex projects and a commitment to social impact, Soam has led initiatives to provide life-changing opportunities for underprivileged students. His leadership empowers diverse teams, fostering growth, inclusivity, and excellence.