Good leaders follow paths, great leaders pave the way.
Poonam Sharma, Chairperson of Accurate Institute of Management & Technology, is one such great leader. In 2005, driven by a passion for education and a vision for impact, she set out to build an institution that would shape future leaders. Coming from a traditional family, Poonam balanced her values with her ambition, choosing education as her way to contribute to society.
Under her leadership, Accurate Institute has grown into a hub of excellence and has empowered students with knowledge, skills, and confidence. Her journey is one of determination, resilience, and a deep commitment to making quality education accessible—emerging as one of the best entrepreneurs to watch in 2025.
A Visionary Journey into the Education Sector
Hailing from a traditional family, Poonam Sharma was mindful of her values while seeking an avenue to make a difference. While her father was an industrialist, she envisioned a sector where she could contribute to societal development while upholding her family’s principles. Education became the natural choice—an industry that not only aligned with her aspirations but also had the potential to shape future generations.
With a strong belief in providing quality education, Poonam laid the foundation for the Accurate Institute of Management & Technology. Her goal was clear from the start: to establish an institution that would be recognized for academic excellence, foster student success, and contribute to national progress. Under her leadership, Accurate Institute has evolved into a center of learning that prioritizes both academic rigor and holistic development.
Overcoming Challenges
Establishing the Accurate Institute of Management & Technology in 2006 was no easy feat for Poonam. The institute was set up in Greater Noida, a region already saturated with over a hundred well-established engineering colleges at the time. Competing against decade-old institutions was challenging, which made it difficult for a new entrant like Accurate Institute to gain recognition and credibility.
The biggest obstacle was creating a distinctive identity in a highly competitive educational ecosystem. With prestigious colleges nearby, Poonam Sharma had to find a way to position Accurate Institute as a preferred choice for students. Instead of being daunted by the competition, she focused on ensuring that quality education and student satisfaction became the cornerstone of the institute’s growth.
By aligning academic programs with industry demands, the institute built a strong reputation for producing graduates who were job-ready and well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of various sectors. Poonam’s commitment to excellence gradually helped Accurate Institute carve its own niche. Today, the institution has not only secured its place among leading colleges but, in many aspects, surpassed its competitors.
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry
At Accurate Institute, education is deeply rooted in industry relevance and technological advancement. Poonam Sharma firmly believes that one of the key gaps in modern education is the disconnect between academic training and real-world corporate demands. To address this, the institute integrates a strong emphasis on corporate exposure, ensuring that students graduate with practical skills that align with evolving industry expectations.
A core principle of the institute is its commitment to making students “industry-ready.” This involves continuous curriculum enhancements that incorporate emerging trends such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Business Analytics. By offering specialized courses like marketing with AI and management with AI & ML, Accurate Institute equips students with cutting-edge knowledge that keeps them ahead in today’s business environment. As a visionary, Poonam envisions an education model that imparts theoretical expertise while fostering adaptability and problem-solving skills.
Balancing Autocratic and Democratic Approaches
For Poonam Sharma, leadership is about vision, execution, and ensuring her team is aligned with a shared goal. Drawing inspiration from transformational leadership, she emphasizes the importance of selling a vision that is both compelling and executable. She believes that once a team is convinced of the mission, success will follow naturally. Her leadership style balances elements of autocratic and democratic approaches, ensuring both direction and inclusivity in decision-making.
Mentorship is another key aspect of her leadership. She acknowledges the gaps that can exist in guidance and networking, especially in the early stages of a career. Recognizing these challenges, she actively mentors her team, ensuring they feel supported in every phase of execution. For her, leadership is not just about authority but about standing with her team through challenges and opportunities alike.
Overcoming Barriers with Confidence
As a woman leader with nearly two decades in the education sector, Poonam reflects on the unique challenges she has faced, particularly in her early years. Leading a team in her 20s, she encountered resistance from senior colleagues, both in terms of experience and age dynamics. However, she overcame these barriers through resilience and confidence, understanding that leadership is about capability rather than gender.
She acknowledges that while her early career lacked strong mentorship and networking opportunities, she adapted and grew through experience. Today, she sees the landscape shifting, with more women stepping into leadership roles, bringing diverse perspectives and driving change. For the future, she envisions a business world where women leaders are not an exception but a norm, contributing significantly to various industries with their unique insights and strengths.
The Future of Education in India
Poonam Sharma envisions a transformative future for education in India, driven by policy reforms and technological advancements. She highlights the impact of the New Education Policy (NEP), which now enables students to pursue dual degrees simultaneously, making education more accessible and flexible.
Moreover, she identifies virtual learning and personalized education as two major trends shaping the future. With technology-driven tools, educators can now tailor learning experiences to suit individual student needs, enhancing engagement and comprehension.
Skill-based education is another crucial area of development that aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and industry requirements. While liberal education has been prominent in Western countries, she believes India is making strides toward a more holistic approach to learning.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blended learning models are also playing a pivotal role in reshaping education. AI-powered tools help automate administrative tasks, personalize student experiences, and improve learning outcomes. Under Poonam’s leadership, Accurate Institute is actively embracing these trends by incorporating AI, machine learning (ML), and data sciences into its curriculum—ensuring students are well-equipped for the evolving job market.
Defining Success as an Educational Leader
Accurate Institute has achieved numerous milestones under Poonam Sharma’s leadership. One of the most notable accomplishments was the participation of its students in the prestigious NASA Moon Buggy Race, where they represented India on a global platform. The institute’s team secured a spot in the top ten, a moment of immense pride for both the students and faculty.
Another major achievement is the consistent ranking of Accurate Institute’s students in the State University Rankings, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to academic excellence. Additionally, receiving recognition and honors from various organizations has solidified its position as a premier educational institution.
However, Poonam considers every student who secures industry opportunities with the tag of “Accurate Institute” her greatest achievement. She believes that success is not just about reaching milestones but also about continuous evolution in alignment with industry advancements. She emphasizes that the journey of education is never-ending. She views these achievements as stepping stones rather than a final destination.
Future Plans for Accurate Institute
Staying at the top in a competitive education landscape requires constant innovation and research. Under Poonam Sharma leadership, Accurate Institute is deeply committed to adapting to industry trends, enhancing academic quality, and fostering meaningful collaborations to maintain its leading position.
The institute has ambitious plans for the future:
- Introduction of Paramedical Courses: Expanding its academic portfolio to include healthcare-related programs.
- Accurate University: A long-term goal to establish its own university within the next five years.
- International Recognition: Working towards achieving global rankings and accreditations.
International Collaborations & Study Programs
Accurate Institute has been actively fostering global partnerships. In recent years, students have visited:
- Auckland University (New Zealand)
- NT University (Singapore)
- Educational tour to Malaysia (SEGI University Malaysia)
These programs help students gain international exposure and understand global industry practices. Currently, these study tours are available for management students, but plans are in place to extend them to engineering students as well. Future collaborations aim to include hands-on experiences in technologically advanced countries like China and Singapore to help students stay ahead in the tech landscape.
Advice for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
Poonam Sharma believes that women today are more empowered than ever, especially in India, where opportunities are increasingly accessible. She emphasizes that success is not about seeking support but about having determination, dedication, and the courage to think independently.
Her message to aspiring women entrepreneurs is:
- Believe in Your Vision: Stay true to your ideas and have the confidence to execute them.
- Break the Norms: Don’t just follow the usual path—pave your own way, even if it’s challenging.
- Harness Inner Strength: Women inherently possess the resilience and power to achieve their goals. Once they set their minds to something, there is no looking back.
Shaping the Next Generation
The institute faced intense competition in the early years. Yet, Poonam Sharma and her team worked diligently to bridge gaps, refine academic offerings, and create a learning environment that nurtures excellence.
With its forward-thinking approach, the institute aims to expand its impact further. A key focus area is fostering interdisciplinary and cross-cultural initiatives that equip students with global perspectives. Furthermore, Poonam envisions introducing paramedical courses to diversify educational offerings and address critical gaps in the healthcare sector. Meanwhile, flagship programs like the PGDM and B.Tech courses are set to be elevated to a global level, reinforcing Accurate Institute’s commitment to excellence.
Legacy & Contribution to Education
While Poonam Sharma believes she is still too young to talk about legacy, she is passionate about creating greater opportunities for women in management and engineering education. She has observed a gender gap in these fields, particularly in Delhi NCR, and is actively working to bridge it.
Her contributions toward bridging this gap include:
- Encouraging More Girls to Pursue Higher Education: She urges her team to increase female enrollment in MBA and PGDM programs.
- Scholarship Programs: Implementing 100% scholarships for girls to support their education financially.
- Instilling a ‘Never Give Up’ Mindset: She wants her students and staff to embrace resilience, perseverance, and determination as core values.
Through these initiatives, she hopes to create a more inclusive and empowering educational environment, ensuring that more young women step into leadership roles in the future.
4 Strategies Accurate Institute Utilizes to Stay Ahead
- Research and Innovation: Continuous curriculum updates to align with industry needs.
- Quality Education Standards: Pursuing international accreditations to enhance the institute’s global standing.
- Industry Collaborations: Partnering with leading companies to provide students with hands-on experience and internship opportunities.
- Global Exposure: Organizing international study tours to prestigious universities, broadening students’ perspectives.
