Zoho Founder Sridhar Vembu’s Thoughts on Engineering

The first kind of engineering R&D is problem-driven R&D. This approach starts with a real, clearly defined problem usually faced by customers, businesses, or society and works backwards to find an effective engineering solution. The focus here is not on novelty for its own sake, but on usefulness, reliability, and cost-efficiency. Engineers working in this mode ask questions like: What is broken? What is too expensive? What can be simplified?

Zoho itself is a strong example of problem-driven R&D. Instead of chasing cutting-edge but costly technologies, the company focuses on building practical, scalable software that solves everyday business problems. This type of R&D often leads to incremental innovation—steady improvements that compound over time. While it may not always grab headlines, it creates durable value, especially in price-sensitive and emerging markets.

The second kind is technology-driven R&D. Here, the starting point is a new or emerging technology rather than an immediate problem. Engineers explore what is possible before fully knowing where or how it will be used. This type of R&D is common in areas like advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence research, aerospace, and deep science-based innovation.

What makes Vembu’s perspective especially valuable is his emphasis on context. He argues that countries like India and companies operating within them should be thoughtful about where they invest their R&D efforts. Blindly copying Western, capital-intensive R&D models may not always make sense. Instead, problem-driven engineering can deliver far greater impact by addressing local needs at scale, using limited resources intelligently.

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This distinction also reshapes how we define “innovation.” Innovation is not only about inventing something radically new; it is also about making technology accessible, affordable, and reliable for millions of users. Problem-driven R&D excels at this form of innovation.

In essence, Sridhar Vembu’s explanation reminds us that both kinds of engineering R&D are important, but they serve different purposes. Technology-driven R&D expands what is possible, while problem-driven R&D ensures that what is possible becomes useful. Companies and nations that understand this balance are better positioned to build sustainable, meaningful technological progress.

Master of Public Policy program contributes directly to NEP

The Master of Public Policy programme contributes directly to NEP’s vision of producing competent public leaders, policy professionals, and governance experts capable of addressing complex societal challenges at local, national, and global levels. The inaugural ceremony featured Mr. Alok Prasanna, Co-Founder of the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi, as the Chief Guest. Addressing a gathering of faculty, students, and researchers, he highlighted the critical need for formal public policy education in today’s complex global landscape. He emphasised that the MPP programme is designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical governance, opening doors to high-impact careers in government, international organisations, and global think tanks.

In today’s dynamic and ever changing socio-political ecosystem, Public Policy has a sterner role when it comes to governance in law. Mr. Alok insisted, “Rather than being a narrow specialization that creates an exclusive barrier to entry, a Master’s in Public Policy is an interdisciplinary field that synthesizes prior foundational knowledge with new administrative skills. Instead of operating as a protected profession—like medicine or law, where rigid licensing limits participation—public policy functions as a democratized space that encourages
engagement from both professionals and ordinary citizens.

The Master of Public Policy programme equips students with the analytical, research, and leadership skills required for effective policymaking. By combining law, economics, and social sciences, we are preparing our graduates to tackle complex public challenges with a multi- dimensional perspective, stated Prof. Vinay Kumar A, Pro-Vice Chancellor, SRMIST in his presidential address.

The event was graced by Dr. K. S. Lakshmi, Director of Admissions, SRMIST, and Prof. Sree Sudha, Dean of SRM School of Law, with Dr. Sumana Vedanth, Associate Professor, serving as the programme coordinator with the student attendees.

Left to Right: Prof. Sree Sudha P, Dean, SRM School of Law, SRMIST; Mr. Alok Prasanna, Co-Founder of the Vidhi Centre For Legal Policy, New Delhi; Prof. Vinay Kumar A, Pro-Vice Chancellor (SBL), SRMIST

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) programme is defined by its robust interdisciplinary curriculum, which seamlessly integrates law, economics, and the social sciences to address the complexities of modern governance. With a strong emphasis on practical skill development, the course focuses on equipping students with expertise in data-driven research, rigorous policy analysis, and strategic leadership. By fostering these essential competencies, the programme prepares graduates for diverse and impactful career paths across policy research institutions, the development sector, and high-level government advisory bodies.

The launch of the MPP programme reinforces SRMIST’s dedication to developing leaders who can navigate the intricacies of public governance. The inaugural session concluded with an interactive discussion on the evolving landscape of the development sector and the increasing demand for skilled policy professionals.