On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate Dr. Muthu’s courage, confidence, and the positive impact she has on her students.

At just grade four, Dr. Muthu Prabha Venkitchalam was asked by her teacher about what profession she wanted to pursue. Dr. Muthu innocently answered, “I want to be a doctor.” At that time, she likely said it just to answer the question, without the faintest of ideas that this moment would set her life’s course. Growing up in a low-income family in India, the chances of her attending university were seemingly slim at that time. Her family was financially struggling, and the traditional values of her community only added fuel to the fire, which often discouraged women from pursuing higher education. But Dr. Muthu’s father believed in her. With only two daughters, he treated them as if they were his sons, encouraging them to be brave.

While it was uncommon for girls in their community to go to university, Dr. Muthu’s father pushed through societal norms and sent her to medical school. He often told his daughters that the only thing he could give them was education. “I can buy you clothes,” he would say, “but only education will make a difference in your life.” This belief encouraged Dr. Muthu to become the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree in homeopathic medicine and Surgery. Later, she completed a postgraduate degree in psychology to better help her patients with mental well-being support. Her decision eventually – and unexpectedly – earned her the position of guidance counselor at IBSUniversity and IBS College of TVET – a top-tier private university in a new frontier she barely knew existed.

When Dr. Muthu began working at IBSUniversity in October 2022, she was faced with a new set of challenges. Adjusting to a different culture and environment was not easy, particularly in terms of communication. Having worked in clinical settings before, she found the university environment a bit challenging. Initially, she was unfamiliar with the way communication works in an academic setting, but with the support of her colleagues and the Founder of IBSUniversity, she gradually adapted. Through continuous learning and patience, she now feels confident in her ability to communicate effectively with students.

As a woman in academia, Dr. Muthu believes in treating all students equally. She understands that differences in sensory acuity lead to varied learning preferences, with some students responding best to auditory stimuli, others to visual displays, and others to participatory teaching. In her classroom, she pays extra attention to students who might be struggling and makes sure they are actively involved. Her teaching method combines short lectures, videos, and group discussions to create an engaging environment.

As a Guidance Counsellor, when students come to Dr. Muthu for advice, she listens carefully and gives personalized guidance. However, one piece of advice she regularly offers is this: “If you want to achieve something, nothing can stop you. Discipline yourself and plan ahead.” She believes that with hard work and clear planning, anything is possible. Dr. Muthu Prabha strongly believe that “End of Knowledge” is love and the end of “Education” is character. For her, guidance isn’t just about academic or career path; it’s about fostering holistic growth. 

Dr. Muthu emphasizes time management as the key to balancing academic guidance with personal mentorship. Prioritizing tasks and making sure that both academic responsibilities and personal guidance are addressed is crucial to providing students with well-rounded support. “By providing trusting and confidential environment where students can discuss openly about their concerns and aspiration. My role extends beyond delivering information; I encourage a secure and supportive environment where students feel genuinely understood and appreciated. Through active listening, I attend to their unique needs, guiding them in setting realistic goals and encouraging them to make informed choices about their academic and personal growth through individual or group counseling,” she said.

Dr. Muthu attributes IBSUniversity’s unique appeal to its exceptionally friendly and welcoming atmosphere. This environment provides student comfort and open communication, where academic and support staff are easily approachable. With a strong emphasis on student wellbeing, both academically and personally, the university provides an ideal setting for Dr. Muthu to effectively guide students through counseling and support. This positive atmosphere, coupled with effective time management and prioritization, has significantly enhanced her leadership skills.

Dr. Muthu Prabha is always passionate about community service in Port Moresby, and commended IBSUniversity to support her initiatives to support patients in the POMGen cancer ward, her school visits to raise TB awareness among students for preventative health education, and her advocacy for mothers on Mother’s Day.These initiatives has shown her passion to support the important role of women in the communities.

Moreover, Dr. Muthu Prabha’s research on the importance of emotional intelligence in empowering women entrepreneurs in Port Moresby adds significant value to her contributions in academia. The research explores the key skills women need to succeed in the competitive business environment of Port Moresby. By examining the connection between emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial success, this work provides valuable insights for developing targeted training and support programs. Ultimately, this research has the potential to empower women economically, fostering resilience and leadership in the local business community and contributing to the overall economic development of Port Moresby.

Dr. Muthu’s career has been deeply influenced by two important women in her life. Her mother, a teacher, cared greatly for her students, despite not being paid for her work, showed Dr. Muthu the true value of education. She also credits a close colleague, Ms. Abinaya Nagamuthu, for helping her adjust to the university environment. Ms. Abinaya was always patient, answering Dr. Muthu’s many questions. Her support was crucial to Dr. Muthu’s growth at IBSUniversity. She takes this moment to thank all her colleagues for their support.

To Dr. Muthu, International Women’s Day is a reminder to ignite the confidence in women. She believes that when women are educated, they will have limitless potential to achieve anything. This is a message she shares with her students, especially young women. She encourages them to break out of their comfort zones and seize every available opportunity. Dr. Muthu envisions a future where education is truly equitable, and women are celebrated for their courage and fearlessness.”

To young women aspiring to leadership roles in education and counseling, Dr. Muthu offers this simple advice: “Be bold. Say no to the things you should say no to. Take advantage of every opportunity and always keep learning.” She emphasizes that curiosity, confidence, and discipline are the keys to success.

To conclude, Dr. Muthu shares one of the most emotional and proud moments of her life:

“Tears of happiness filled my eyes as I achieved a lifelong dream: First fly of my parents, at their 60s and 70s, from India to Singapore. This was made possible by IBSUniversity, and I am deeply grateful to them, a most amazing part of my life is that I could afford to give my parents this gift, something I had always wished for and beyond my words. “