An erudite scholar and an administrator par excellence with 34+ years of experience at various levels and positions. Dr. K. Kala is a graduate of Botany with a specialization in Medicinal Plants. She started her career as an Assistant Professor at Government Arts College, Karur, later promoted as Head of the Department of Botany and then as the Principal of the same institution with a brief period of principalship in NKR Government Arts College for Women, Namakkal.
As an educator, she is remembered for her teaching of 42 courses for UG, PG, & PhD. As an innovator, she has newly designed and handled some courses, modified some other courses in BOS. To prove her meticulous research flavor, she has authored 2 text books, published 20+ articles in National and International Journals; presented 11+ papers in seminars; organized 18+ seminars and conferences; chaired plenty of sessions in international seminars; acted as the Team Judge in National Science Congress; guided plenty of Ph.D. Scholars; signed MoUs with some of the reputed institutions; mobilized 2 Crores of funding from RUSA, 44 Lakhs from various funding agencies; 26 Crores of Building Grants and multi lakhs in CSR scheme from KVB.
She has been elevated as the Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education, Trichy. She has been highly popular in the Higher Education Department with her more than a decade of administrative service. As a peace maker, she has solved many long pending issues of various colleges in her region. To prove that expansion is the sign of growth, she has introduced 4 new colleges in her jurisdiction. Her synergy is proved with her collaboration of Banks and other agencies for the development of the colleges.
Her service has enhanced the quality of many academic bodies. To quote some she was the Chairman of BOS in Botany of Government Arts College, Karur; Member of Academic Council; Member of Governing Body; Chairperson of IQAC; Convener of SET Exams in Mother Teresa Women`s University, Kodaikanal; Member of Selection Committee, Bharathidasan University; Member of Selection Committee, Mother Teresa Women`s University, Kodaikanal; Chairperson of Selection Board of Botany in TRB; Member in various Boards of TRB; Director of Students` Career and Counseling Cell; Member of Planning Board, Bharathidasan University; Member of Finance Committee and Executive Committee of Mother Teresa Women`s University; Member of UGC Autonomy Review Committee; Member of Senate, Bharathidasan University & Periyar University; Member of Sexual Harassment Cell, KVB Head Office (Till Date) and Member of Wet Land Development Committee, Collectorate, Karur (Till Date).
She has visited universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Sussex, interacted with them about academic affairs. She has served as the Member of Editorial Board of some International Journals. She has conducted Environmental Awareness Programmes; Played key role in the Massive Tree Plantation Scheme of the Government; Deputy Area Commander of Home Guard Service in Karur District Police Department; Delivered many motivational lectures; Encouraged young staff to apply for research funding; Trained young minds; conducted skill development programmes for students; Yoga programme for students.
Her dedication and commitment earned her the CM Medal for 14 years of best Home Guard Service; Twice rewarded Meritorious Medal and Award for Best Performance in the Flag Day Collection by the Governor; Award for Unblemished Academic Service from the Government of TamilNadu; Thiran Nirai Kalviyalar Award' from Her Excellency Dr.Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana in the Mathru Sakthi, Women Saints Conference, held in Velur on 01.07.2022.
To highlight, she is an asset to wherever she is placed with sparkling skills of handling resources in any critical ambience.