Higher Education Digest – October 2022 – 10 Must-Watch Pharmacy Colleges in India – 2022

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October 2022 Vol - 4 Issue - 14

Must - Watch Pharmacy Colleges in India 2022 (India Edition)

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MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

The Many Opportunities of a Pharma Career A

s an industry responsible for researching, developing, producing, and distributing medications, the pharma sector has experienced significant growth during the past two decades. As per the industry reports, the global pharmaceuticals market is expected to grow from USD 1454.66 billion in 2021 to USD 2135.18 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 7.7%. Experts believe that the growth will be driven mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges.

According to the Indian Economic Survey 2021, the Indian market is expected to grow 3x in the next decade. India’s domestic pharmaceutical market stood at USD 42 billion in 2021 and is likely to reach USD 65 billion by 2024 and further expand to reach US$ 120-130 billion by 2030.

While industry stats are impressive, a third (33%) of C-suite and human capital leaders in the

life sciences and pharmaceuticals sector say talent scarcity is a significant pain point for the sector, which is hiring extensively this year, says Randstad Sourceright’s 2022 life sciences and pharma Talent Trends report. However, as per the same report, around 55% of pharma companies also plan to hire extensively this year to avoid talent scarcity that would slow their business. The opportunities are not limited to the pharmaceutical industry. The demand for talent is vital in the Medtech and Bioinformatics sectors. In a nutshell, there has been no better time than now to pick pharma as a career choice.

To help aspirants find the right college to pursue pharmaceutical education, we have come up with a list of 10 Must-Watch Pharmacy Colleges in India2022 that have been performing well recently. This handful of colleges identified by our expert panel has consistently produced high-skilled workers for the global pharmaceutical industry. We hope our efforts will help students make informed decisions about their higher education destination. Enjoy Reading.

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Mr. Amulya Sah, PGD PM & IR, PG Diploma in PM&IR (XISS Ranchi)

Chief Human Resources Officer, Former Head HR group Samsung R&D Institute India,Transformative HR Leader, Change agent, Digitization facilitator, Engagement architect, Trainer and Diversity champion.

ADVISORY BOARD

Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD, MBA, MPhil, MCom, LLB.

Former Program Director, MS in Management Program, GSATM - AU

Mr. Dean E. Hoke, M.S, B.A Co-Founder of Edu Alliance, LTD, UAE and Managing Partner of Edu Alliance Group, USA

Major General (Rtd.) Dr. Sunil Chandra, VSM (Vishishta Seva Medal), Ph.D, M. Phil, MA, M.Ed, PGBDA

Ex-M D Army Welfare Education Society, ExCOO GEMS Education - India, Ex- Addl Dir Gen - Army Education, Mentor - Adventure-Pulse

Dr. Ajay Shukla, Ph.D, MBA, BE. Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Higher Education UAE

Dr. Venus M. Alboruto, PhD,

Master Teacher, Researcher, Innovator, Trainer.

Former CEO ( ASEAN), Arc Skills

6 Higher Education Digest October 2022
Mamta Thakur

Shanthi Rajan (MSHRM, FHEA, AMCILT) Director, Institution Development, University of Stirling, RAK Campus, UAE.

Dr. Kuldeep Nagi, Ph.D, MBA, BSc.

Former Program Director of Ph.D, Recipient of Fulbright Fellowship Award & Dan Evans Award for Excellence and Writer columnist.

Mr. Sreedhar Bevara, MBA, B.Com

CEO at BMR Innovations, Ex Senior General Manager at Panasonic, LG, The Hindu, TATA, Author: Moment of Signal & The Roaring Lambs, Motivational Speaker & Leadership Consultant.

Dr. Khyati Shetty Ph.D (Marketing)., SFHEA (UK), MBA (Marketing), PGHRM, BA (Marketing & Economics)

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Higher Education Digest® & K12 Digest®, Adjunct Faculty - Assumption University, Former CIO - Athena Education, Former Global Director TechnologyGEMS Education

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JSS MEDICAL COLLEGE

Positively Impacting Public Healthcare via World-class Education

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MUST-WATCH LAW COLLEGE OF THE YEAR 2022

AJMAL LAW COLLEGE Grooming the Next Generation of Legal Professionals

MUST-WATCH MEDICAL COLLEGE OF THE YEAR 2022

SCHOOL OF LAW, BML MUNJAL UNIVERSITY Focusing on a Holistic Approach to Study Law

MUST-WATCH LAW COLLEGE IN NORTH EAST OF THE YEAR 2022

8 Higher Education Digest October 2022 CONTENTS
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GEETA INSTITUTE OF PHARMACY

Producing the Next Generation of Competent Pharmacists

PHARMACY COLLEGES

KONKAN GYANPEETH RAHUL DHARKAR COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE (KGRDCP & RI)

Inspiring Students to Transform the Medical Industry

NMIMS SHOBHABEN PRATAPBHAI PATEL SCHOOL OF PHARMACY & TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT (SPPSPTM)

Offering Practice-Oriented Pharmacy Education

Higher Education Digest October 2022
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FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREER CHOICE OF MANAGEMENT STUDENTS IN INDIA

Prof. (Dr.) Daviender Narang, Professor and Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad

MENTOR’S MANTRA

ACADEMIC VIEW

WHY DO HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS NEED TO FOCUS ON CURRICULUM 4.0?

Neha Bahl, Director, IC3 Institute

TOP 6 ENTERPRISING CAREERS FOR FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONALS

Varun Jain, CPA, CMA, CEO & Lead Instructor, Miles Education

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CONTENTS

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

WHY EDTECH CANNOT REPLACE INSTRUCTOR-LED LEARNING

Karun Tadepalli, CEO & Co- Founder, byteXL

ARE WORK-LIKE EXPERIENCES REPLACING INTERNSHIPS? IS IT A GOOD THING?

Subramanyam Reddy, Founder & CEO, KnowledgeHut upGrad

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AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF DESIGN THINKING IN SOLVING PROBLEMS AND ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Chiranjeet Rege, CEO, SILICA

Higher Education Digest October 2022
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Factors Influencing Career Choice of Management Students in India

Prof. (Dr.) Daviender Narang, Professor and Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad

Career is the most prominent aspect of a human being. Students have to struggle a lot when it comes to make a decision regarding a suitable career. A right choice of career paves way to a successful life. In other words, once the career is decided in a constructive way, it shapes one’s life in the best possible way. However, while making a decision about career more specifically for pursuing a management

career, a student gets influenced by numerous factors. They can be choice of a specialization, college, ranking of a college, good placement, teaching pedagogy, financial affordability, communication convenience, placement status and so on.

In reality, it is being observed that students are oblivious of the crucial career decisions. They are making hasty decision when it comes to make a career choice. Students are getting

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Students are getting influenced by several unimportant factors which becomes crucial for taking a wrong step

A thorough management professional, Prof. (Dr.) Daviender Narang is working as a Professor and Director at Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad. He has a rich experience of 22 years in the field of academics and management, especially in the best business and management institutes of India and abroad. He has experience of establishing successful management business schools. He has worked on a World Bank-supported project on capacity-building in Ethiopia for two years. He holds two post-graduate degrees in Business Economics and Finance & Control. He has a Ph.D in Economics and his contribution to research focuses on banking efficiency in India.

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influenced by several unimportant factors which becomes crucial for taking a wrong step. Some of the most common factors that influence the career choice of a management student, which often sway them from making the correct choice are discussed as follows.

Family Background:

Many students opt for MBA course when it comes to pursue their family business. While coming from a business background, it is required for the students to become adequately qualified so that s/he can run the business smoothly. In a family of business background, parents very often express a desire that their son or daughter should pursue a business degree, a professional management course, so that they can run the business competently.

Parental Pressure

graduation followed by MBA degree which they thing would be a suitable career choice to become an employable candidate. This practice of determining one’s interest field based on one time exam performance has often led to a wrong career decision.

Placements:

Getting job ready is also one of the prominent factor while deciding a management career.

Deciding on a rank of an institution, of a good college which provides hands on experience to students plays a major role

Management course gives various exposure to students. It makes them skillful which help them to shape their personality, their career. So getting a good placement is an important motivation driver for students in their Career Planning.

Parental expectation plays a major role behind making a career choice. Students often give in to their parents’ pressure while making a choice of specialization, course. Most of the students from business families are seen choosing a course on accountancy, commerce or management course.

Academic Background

In India, students generally tend to be more oriented towards a formal degree. They pursue

Rank of college Deciding on a rank of an institution, of a good college which provides hands on experience to students plays a major role. A student checks on details of a college, ranking of a college while making a decision. The skills, abilities, exposures that an institution provide helps a student while making a career choice.

Job security

Job security is another factor that can influence the student’s career choices. Students try to find out a better placement status of an institution, campus placement facilities.

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A constituent college of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, JSS Medical College has emerged as renowned institute in the country by providing medical education of high standards and compassionate health care programs through internationalization, innovation in academic and research studies.

Higher Education Digest October 2022

MEDICAL COLLEGE MUST-WATCH OF THE YEAR 2022

JSS MEDICAL COLLEGE

POSITIVELY IMPACTING PUBLIC HEALTHCARE VIA WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION

In the last decade, we have witnessed the evolution of the healthcare sector. To truly propel this growth and achieve quality healthcare, the healthcare domain needs to align with the latest educational trends and methods. Well-equipped medical schools with practical teaching, smart classrooms, implementation of the latest curriculum, well-planned assessments, conduction of research and development, and adoption of emerging technologies which will significantly improve academic performance, translating to better healthcare delivery.

Perfectly poised in this segment is JSS Medical College, established in 1984 and a constituent college of the JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research accredited A+ grade by NAAC.

Boasting a 43-acre campus, JSS Medical College offers medical education of high standards and compassionate health care programs through internationalisation and innovation in academic and

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research studies. The Institute is equipped with excellent leading-edge infrastructure, laboratories, and modern teaching aids. JSS Medical College is progressing towards greater heights with the ardent support of experienced, qualified, and dedicated teaching and support staff.

Education has a Positive Influence on Healthcare Delivery

The institute proffers undergraduate courses in medicine (M.B.B.S) with an annual intake of 250 seats and postgraduate degrees (M.D and M.S) in 22 different medical disciplines and four super speciality courses; DM Medical Gastroenterology, DM Neurology, DM Nephrology, and M.Ch. Urology. In conjunction with this, the institute also offers 13 BSc Biomedical science programs and M.Sc. in nine disciplines: Medical Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Clinical embryology, Clinical Psychology, Genetics & Genomics. Furthermore, the college also extends various other essential courses as well such as Masters in Public Health (MPH) and M.Phil Psychiatry Social Work. Under its bouquet of offerings, the institute also provides a Fellowship course in Pain Medicine, Psycho Sexual Medicine and a Certificate course in Psycho Sexual Medicine. “These courses are the perfect blend of community-oriented, problem-based learning with high-quality clinical reasoning. The college also provides PhD programs in Medical and Biomedical Sciences to promote research and developmental activities,” reveals Dr. Hathur Basavana Gowdappa, Professor of Medicine & Principal of JSS Medical College. In recognition of the services provided in medical education, Research, and Healthcare,

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His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji, Chancellor Dr. B. Suresh, M.Pharm., Ph.D., D.Sc.,Pro Chancellor

JSS Medical College has bagged 20th position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), 2020. “The College is recognised by the Medical Council of India and aims at imparting excellent quality medical education that markedly improves the health sector and caters to the need of all strata of the society,” adds Dr. Hathur.

Making Advancements in the Healthcare Domain through Collaborations

In keeping with the commitment to impart quality medical education, JSS Medical College fosters a plethora of international partnerships.

The institute has signed an MOU with the La

Trobe University of Australia. It has made provisions for combined PhD programs leading to translational research & established provisions for staff & student exchange Programs. These efforts have augmented the skill & knowledge to international standards. The institute has a student & faculty exchange program with the University of Arizona to help enhance the skills of faculties in their training and development with more focus on Public Health. The University of Quinnipiac has forged another student exchange program with JSS Medical College, where seven undergraduate students from Quinnipiac University visited JSS Medical College and

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Dr. Surinder Singh, MBBS, MD Microbiology,Vice Chancellor Dr. Manjunatha. B, MBBS, MD Forensic Medicine, Registrar

Hospital for an internship program. “They have conducted short-term research projects in hospital and community settings. Dr. David Hill has applied for a Joint Nehru Fullbright research fellowship collaborating with JSS AHER. This understanding has helped our students explore and exchange opportunities with Quinnipiac University,” explains Dr. Suma MN, Vice Principal, JSS Medical College. Simultaneously, an academic understanding with Howard University is being successfully

leveraged to conduct International Symposium and student and faculty exchange provisions.

Taking research to an even higher level, two international Indo-US conferences have been conducted in collaboration with Mayo Clinic. Here, a research program in Paediatric Emergencies was completed to validate new protocols. Another MoU agreement was signed by JSS Medical College with US-based Novabiomedicals, where massive clinical research was conducted in the development of devices and validation of equipment in point of care diagnostics. An alliance with Khon Kaen University in Malaysia ensures a student and faculty exchange program and research collaboration. JSS Medical College has also collaborated with Edge Hill University in the UK for their faculty development program, Maastricht University in the Netherlands for their students and faculty exchange program, and NIH in the US for several research collaborations and publications. Encouraging change and evolution through valuable partnerships, the institute partnered with Florida International University. Two faculties were sent and trained under international collaboration through the GHED (Global Health Equity Scholarship). These two faculty have greatly improved the quality of medical education.

“The institution has its strategy to ensure that all the faculty members update themselves by collecting information through performance-based self-appraisal. Additionally, our faculty are encouraged to present their work at many National and International conferences. The institution trains the faculty members through leadership

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Dr. Hathur Basavana Gowdappa, Professor of Medicine, Principal

programs. Most of the faculty have acquired FAIMER fellowship with distinction and are serving in the Medical Education Unit within the college to enhance the quality of medical education,” informs Dr. Hathur. He takes great pride in the fact that the faculty has published over 500 papers in 2021 and has attracted research projects and grants worth 20 Crores from national and international funding agencies. Lastly, JSS

Medical College has collaborated with WHO headquarters in Geneva on Vaccine safety, Vaccine trials and Public Health Programs.

Promoting Research Culture for a Better Tomorrow

JSS Medical College, with the support from the JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research and Vision group of Science and Technology (Government of Karnataka), has established the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE), approved as a collegium of Clinical Development Services Agency (CDSA) to promote various research activity and clinical

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Dr. Suma MN, MBBS, MD Biochemistry Vice Principal

Established in 1984, JSS Medical College is equipped with excellent state of the art infrastructure, laboratories and modern teaching aids.

through which the students are trained to get successful research grants and publish the scientific data,” adds Dr. Suma.

The institute is highly committed to creating well-equipped and motivated healthcare professionals in the future. In doing so, JSS Medical College has established a state-ofthe-art international standard JSS skill and simulation centre, which has all the facilities to impart training in basic life support, advanced cardiac life support and high-fidelity

trials. The faculty members have successfully gotten research grants sponsored by ICMR, DST, DBT, VGST (Government of India), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, and other funding agencies. “To promote research culture among undergraduate students, the institution has started student research cell

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JSS Medical College offers undergraduate course in medicine (M.B.B.S) with annual intake of 250 seats and postgraduate degree (M.D and M.S) in 22 different medical disciplines along with 4 super specialty courses, DM Medical Gastroenterology, DM Neurology, DM Nephrology and M.Ch. Urology.

simulators with facilities for hands-on training of procedures like laparoscopic surgeries, endoscopic procedures, echocardiography, and imaging technology. Cutting-edge audiovisual facilities comprising smart classrooms and a digital library have been established to further enhance the teaching and learning process. Dr. Suma proclaims, “Our robust infrastructure, high-quality teachers and comfortable accommodation of hostels with autonomy given to students to organise the

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curricular and extracurricular activities will make them remember the institution and campus forever.”

Ahead of the Technological Growth Curve

Over the years, JSS Medical College has made huge strides in this domain, even in the face of adversities. One recent challenge encountered that the institute converted into an opportunity was the Coronavirus pandemic that sank its talons across various domains. The staff was trained effectively to use online platforms like zoom and Google meet. Subsequently, students were introduced to using online platforms to attend theory classes and practical demonstrations. A student WhatsApp group was created for each batch, and they were

The staff and students of JSS Medical College are actively involved in Clinical and Research activities, including the publication of papers in reputed professional journals.

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informed about online classes. Later, the faculty could share the PowerPoint presentation and handle theory classes, clinical case scenarios, and practical sessions. At the same time, the learning materials like PowerPoint presentations and recorded lectures were shared through JSS AHER online portal. Multiple microteaching sessions were conducted to optimise the content for each practical.

Post completion of theory classes of each term, MCQs and essay questions were uploaded to JSS AHER online portal. At the end of each term, online Formative Assessments were conducted and graded. This proved to be the better alternative to exams answered physically on paper as students received feedback and obtained the scorecard almost instantaneously.

Learning never stopped at JSS Medical College, as it conducted several thousand online academic programs. Now, postpandemic, the students must learn and adopt the hybrid model of the learning process. The students and faculty are given adequate attention by assuring vaccination is conducted and making provisions for their safety and healthcare facility. The institution has taken part in several research programs related to vaccine development and the development of therapeutic molecules in COVID management. Dr. Hathur concludes, “The institution will take part in any future pandemics as the healthcare personnel and students have been given adequate training to develop resilience and preparedness for future challenges.”

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Why do Higher Education Institutions Need to Focus on Curriculum 4.0 ?

Neha has 16+ years of qualitative experience across education and development sectors and has held leadership roles driving overall business strategy and building cross-functional teams. She has closely witnessed the evolving trends in education and career choices. Her heart lies in service and is passionate about nurturing and shaping future talent. Neha is a Post Graduate in International Business from Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi.

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ACADEMIC VIEW

To make the most of the opportunity created by advanced technology, we need a similar revolution in education, Education 4.0

We are in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also referred to as Industry 4.0, where technological innovations and digitization are fundamentally altering and transforming workplaces, human connections and the way of life, as a whole.

The boundaries between the physical and digital world are fast dissolving. Our workplaces and organizations are becoming "smarter" and more efficient as machines, and humans start to work together.

To make the most of the opportunity created by advanced technology, we need a

similar revolution in education, Education 4.0. This means students will need to be taught about this technology as part of the curriculum, and institutions will be required to change the approach to learning altogether and identify ways to utilizing this technology to better improve the university experience for students.

Furthermore, the disruptions caused by the pandemic are also driving educational institutions and their leaders, as well as governments and regulatory bodies around the world to reimagine the educational framework and pedagogical approaches encompassing

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As a subset of Education 4.0, Curriculum 4.0 emphasizes modern techniques such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) that can be used across education processes

curriculums, teaching methodologies, assessments and more.

It is now, therefore, imperative for institutions to shift from teaching to facilitating, from an instruction-based to a student-centric approach, from producing rote learners to creating more engaged and active learners. Institutions need to focus on teaching the curriculum of the future, one that combines futuristic subjects with traditional ones, and

prepares students for meeting the changing demands of Industry 4.0 and facing the grand challenges of the future.

As a subset of Education 4.0, Curriculum 4.0 emphasizes modern techniques such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) that can be used across education processes, such as grading and assessments, personalized communication, student enrolment, plagiarism and much more,

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allowing educators more time to work with students on developing 21st century skills as well as to focus on individual students who would benefit from their guidance. Such tools would also provide valuable insights into a student’s strengths and weaknesses.

Evolving Trends in Education 4.0

According to research by McKinsey Digital, 60 percent of all vocations might potentially have at least a third of their tasks automated because of the fourth industrial revolution. However, there are a lot more factors to consider than only the possible disruption to the hard skills needed for different work roles. The soft skills that students will require in the future will also be impacted by the fourth industrial revolution. The list includes social skills, process skills, and complicated problem solving as some of the soft talents that will soon be considered essential.

In such a scenario, let’s discuss the various evolving trends in Education 4.0:

More individualized mode of learning

Every student is valued individually, and each learns at their own speed, according to Education 4.0. A more individualized approach to education can help learners attain their goals more quickly. Numerous solutions are now available, thanks to artificial intelligence and cloud computing that can adapt the entire teaching process to each learner's needs and rate of learning.

Importance of project-based learning

There will be more project-based learning opportunities for students: Short-term projects give students the opportunity to exercise their organisational, collaborative,

and time management skills, all of which are important for their academic careers. Students utilise their knowledge and skills to complete these projects.

AI and Data Analytics

Students will learn about data interpretation, where they must apply their technical or ethical knowledge to statistics and use their critical thinking abilities to draw conclusions based on logic and trends from sets of data that are provided. The manual component of mathematical literacy will be rendered obsolete as statistical analysis and trend prediction are carried out by computers and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Simple and precise assessment

The traditional method of evaluating students may become outdated or insufficient. When students are working on their field projects, they can be tested on their application of knowledge in addition to their factual knowledge.

Conclusion:

Education 4.0 is all about innovation and enhancing 21st skills like Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration and Growth Mindset. Faculty members should invest time to study deeply about the important technological trends and how they can be used to transform teaching and learning processes. When examining and considering change, trends in Education 4.0 should not be disregarded. Early adoption of technology and timely intervention of new-age techniques can also foster a viable ground for academia-industry partnerships providing opportunities for organizations in the EdTech space to think of developing innovative educational solutions for institutions.

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BMU’s School of Law offers a higher level of understanding of the complex nature of the problems in society and develops the capacity in its students to provide solutions to these problems in the years to come.

Higher Education Digest October 2022

LAW COLLEGE MUST-WATCH OF THE YEAR 2022

SCHOOL OF LAW, BML MUNJAL UNIVERSITY

FOCUSING ON A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO STUDY LAW

Through transformative learning, excellent faculty, and creating an entrepreneurial mindset within an intellectual culture, BML Munjal University is set to build ethical leaders for the future. The School of Law carries this forward with a commitment to nurturing scientifically minded and constitutionally rooted lawyers. “Our students are to be lawyers who can ethically intervene in the major challenges faced by the planet and those of the communities that live in it. We equip them for that with authentic experiential and multidisciplinary education of the highest international standards,” says Prof (Dr.) Pritam Baruah, Dean, School of Law, BML Munjal University.

At its founding, the school was advised by some of the country’s leading legal minds, several of whom are today a part of the Advisory Council. Academics designed the curriculum in partnership with industry leaders such as L & L partners. As

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such, the university’s commitment to strong connections with the legal profession has been entrenched from inception. Despite the pandemic, the university had practitioners teaching and academics to introduce students to the real world of law and the scholarship that underpins it. The faculty also ensures that students share class space with management and engineering students when they take interdisciplinary subjects.

Need for Collaboration

Academic institutions can never successfully operate in isolation from professions and industries. BML Munjal University firmly

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BMU’s B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) program facilitates students to build a multi-dimensional approach to understanding law through the study of history, political science, sociology and economics.

believes that students must learn from the wisdom and lived experiences of academics and practitioners. The School of Law collaborates with many advocates and legal professionals to deliver modules for several courses taught to students. Courses on the procedure, criminal law, and dispute resolution have been jointly taught by practitioners and academics. They also work with some of the biggest law firms, such as JSA, L&L Partners, etc., for knowledge sharing and collaborations. Faculty members, too, have worked in the field and practiced law. Recently, the Centre for Law, Regulation, and Technology has signed a Memorandum of Understanding

Prof (Dr.) Pritam Baruah, Dean, School of Law, BML Munjal University

with the prestigious Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, Munich, for joint research projects that are targeted at emerging issues related to markets.

BMU School of Law maintains a FacultyStudent Ratio of 1:7, thus maintaining an effective mentoring program. This brings significant benefits as faculty members have outstanding educational training and experience, allowing them to incorporate best international practices in their teaching. BMU’s faculty has qualifications from world-leading universities, including from University of Oxford, University College London, University of Melbourne, London School of Economics, University of Warwick, University of Michigan, University of Tilburg (Netherlands), University of Campania (Italy), Maastricht University, Netherlands; Azim Premji University, National Law School of India University Bangalore (NLSIU), Nalsar University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR), National University of Juridical Sciences,

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Kolkata (NUJS), National Law University, Bhopal, JNU, Delhi Law Faculty, and Jamia Milia Islamia. Several of them have practiced law and worked with leading think tanks. “Our faculty members rigorously review course outlines; implement discussion, application, and activity-based teaching; mentor students and create safe spaces, and actively collaborate with practitioners and foreign academics. Their high-quality teaching, research, and networks make learning at BML

Munjal University truly transformative for our students,” Dr. Pritam shares.

Authentic interdisciplinarity, excellent professional and industry networks, highquality faculty, and personalized and experiential education are the prime reasons for BMU being an attractive place for students across the country. Law schools often become isolated islands of legal education. That is ironic as the law is about every aspect of life on the planet. BML Munjal School of Law is

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For students interested in gaining deeper knowledge of business and commerce along with legal education, School of Law offers B.B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) in collaboration with the School of Management at BMU.

fortunately situated in a truly interdisciplinary environment where students have the distinct advantage of learning from leading experts and peers from the School of Engineering and Technology and the School of Management.

BMU has collaborated with some of the best international universities to create a meaningful international learning experience for students. SOL has an International Academic Advisory Board that connects the university to leading legal minds worldwide. Members of the BMU board include academics from Oxford, Melbourne, Humboldt, Yale, Academia Sinica Taiwan, Yonsei University, and NLSIU Bangalore.

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International collaborations ensure that students get a modern, experiential, and transnational learning experience. BMU works with global thought leaders in curriculum development, program structure, immersion programs, faculty exchange programs, and research. Some of the leading universities with whom the university has partnered are Imperial College London, University of Warwick, Kent State University, University of Michigan-Flint, USA, Singapore Management University, Purdue Northwest University, Aston University, Saint Mary’s College of California, University of AGDER, Babson Academy.

Creating Diverse Identities

“Our student body comprises young minds from diverse walks of life and from all corners of the country. We have students from 26 states on our campus, while 45.9% of law students are female/non-male. We also offer scholarships and financial aid that bring the socio-economic diversity of India to our classrooms,” Dr. Pritam informs. BMU provides generous scholarships for meritorious students and financial aid for needy and deserving students. Based on the entrance marks and admission criteria, the university offers Dean’s Scholarships to students ranging from 50% to 100% of the tuition fee. There are several scholarships at 25% of the tuition fee. Apart from Dean’s Scholarships, the university provides generous financial aid to academically bright students who belong to economically weaker sections of society. 25% of students admitted under the Haryana Domicile Category are also eligible for full

or partial fee concessions. BMU also offers scholarships for athletes and sportspersons.

BMU’s vision of experiential learning doesn’t only happen inside the boundaries of its classrooms. Students experience a diverse

36 Higher Education Digest October 2022

and vibrant life on campus with a wide variety of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, which create a platform for the students to grow as individuals. BMU’s Student Life comprises joy and prosperity where

extra-curricular and co-curricular activities make a platform for the students to grow as individuals. With 21 diverse clubs ranging from Culinary to Science-Mathematics to Performing Arts Club, Celebrations of

37 Higher Education Digest October 2022

Festivals, Nationalistic Events, Fest Events, and world-class Sporting facilities, students have many options in which learning can be celebrated. The student life at BMU fosters joy and creates a much exhilarating atmosphere for all the students.

Being Updated in an Ever-changing World

As the world changes, BMU understands that, unlike in the past, legal education will not track only the practice of law but will have to prepare young minds for diverse roles. It has already emerged as a path for multiple socio-political interventions and various career paths. As such legal education is already becoming cross-disciplinary in nature. Simultaneously, both legal education and practice will become more technology challenged. With the advent of artificial intelligence, data privacy debates, cryptocurrency, surveillance technologies, space travel, etc., novel legal issues are springing up.

Another horizon is the issues emerging from global justice: justice across borders, obligations of multinational organizations, common responsibilities to the environment, and the like. BMU School of Law is mindful of these developments and offers interdisciplinary courses in a multidisciplinary environment. “Our courses aim to make students technology native, enabling them to easily engage with technological changes. We have a Centre for Law, Regulation, and Technology where we try to address some of the intersections between these upcoming areas.” shares Dr. Pritam. The Centre oversees

legal and technical expert collaborations with faculty members and students across schools and leading practitioners from the profession and industry. On the international front, BMU prides itself in its diverse faculty who have had international exposure, a stellar international advisory board, and meaningful international collaborations.

“Our immediate plans are guided by our desire to create relevant knowledge rooted in India but focused on the world and cultivating internationally competent lawyers. We have already put in place a holistic admissions process where students are not made offers based on a single score but across multiple criteria that allow us to judge their potential,” Dr. Pritam explains. Every student has a collegial interaction with faculty members before being made an offer. On courses, BMU is putting in place a practical placementtraining program tailored to the individual capabilities of each student. The university is also planning to introduce courses on machine learning and artificial intelligence on the one hand and prepare students to reach out to the communities around the country through legal aid programs on the other. “We have already held a workshop with NLU (Delhi) and Project 39A on this front. We are at advanced stages of negotiations with multiple foreign universities for more international programs for our students in Australia, the USA, and the UK,” shares Dr. Pritam. In research, BMU is launching a center on constitutional values to promote constitutional culture and organizing joint international conferences with international universities on digital markets and data sharing.

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Top 6 Enterprising Careers for Finance and Accounting Professionals

A Harvard business school alumnus, Varun is the CEO and Lead Instructor at Miles Education. Popularly known as one of world’s favourite CPA/CMA instructor, Varun has trained over 40k (and counting) CPA & CMA aspirants in India and across the world. He is extremely popular for his high-impact and high-energy videos for CPA and CMA, and his YouTube videos have cumulative views of 50MM+.

Prior to co-founding Miles, Varun worked with Deloitte Financial Advisory Services and has been an investment banker at Morgan Stanley.

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ACADEMIC

The Accounting and finance temping have changed significantly as nearly 87% of companies worldwide are facing a skill gap challenge. With competitive qualifications and certifications under your belt, you may look to set an equal footing with game-changing leaders and competitive professionals to brainstorm ideas, think innovative solutions and win your decisions, but not sure about the nitty-gritty pathways to pick the right career to fuel your future? We got you covered! To ease the catch-22 situation and zero down your future career choice, read on about a few competitive and ground-breaking finance & accounting careers to explore.

Auditing/Accounting Manager

Financial stability defines the business success of a company, public or private. And, hence Auditors become a differentiating factor as they analyse financial data, help business leaders

with informed decisions, comply with tax and regulation, forecasting growth, build qualitative financial reports to help investors and stakeholders understand company’s goals and growth strategy. Auditors leverage exponential technologies to build transformational insights and consistently deliver qualitative auditing service. A recent study suggests that the demand for auditors will see an increase of 7% by 2030. The average median salary for a fresh auditor ranges between INR 7-10 LPA. The job is a typical match for professionals with a CPA, CMA or CIA certification.

Financial Analyst

Often referred to as rock stars’ in the finance world, Financial Analysts play a key role in the banking, investment and insurance sectors. They evaluate investment opportunities for individuals and companies and consult them to diversify their investment portfolio and expand profits. A key function of financial analysts is they

41 Higher Education Digest October 2022
Auditors leverage exponential technologies to build transformational insights and consistently deliver qualitative auditing service

assess the risk involved in investment decisions, advise on insurance, analyse the performance of different types of investments and build upending investment models. The average median salary for finance analysts is INR 5 LPA and the career growth is projected to grow 6% by 2030. Finance & Accounting professional with a valid graduation or global financial certifications like CFA, or FRM are a best fit for this role.

Risk Managers

Financial organizations to outperform in an uncertain risk-prone environment need the touch of financial risk managers (FRMs). They work with new-age technologies & tools to detect fraudulent activities, money laundering, and cybercrime and credit loss activities. GARP Risk Career Survey reports that over 18.3% of managers hire risk management professionals as they build business models, compile risk data and technically support organizational leaders in central banks, treasury department, MNCs, monetary authorities and financial institutions to mitigate financial risk, event risk, credit risk and operational risk. They are responsible to make a direct impact on organizational success. The average median salary for risk professionals is up to INR 9 LPA and the annual growth is expected to grow by 7%. Finance professionals with CFA or FRM certification have wide career scope in this domain.

Equity Research

Equity Research Analyst helps investors or companies to escape the labyrinth of information. The role exposes finance professionals to gear cutting-edge financial analytical, reporting, forecasting, valuation and consultation skills.

They produce quality financial information that helps companies or a group to future trends and earning value. They consult clients with advisory support of entry and exit positions in buying and selling stocks. The average median salary for an Equity Researcher is 8 LPA and the market scope is expected to grow. The best degrees and certifications that can make you an exceptional equity research analyst are MBA, CFP, CFA or CPA.

Finance Controller

Companies need a strategic vision in a competitive and agile environment, and Finance Controllers no wonder make it possible as they have a keen eye and a big picture in mind. They believe accuracy can fuel finance operations, strategy and leadership in companies. Getting into this role will provide finance professionals a wide exposure to budgeting, reporting, accounting policies, cash flow management & finance decision making. The role also provides you a chance to work with CEOs and CFOs to solve complex global tax, compliance issues, supervise financial planning & forecasting, manage risk and monitor internal controls & policies. The average median salary of Controllers is over 15 LPA. The career scope for finance controllers is expected to grow 19% by 2026. The suitable certifications that can get you to notch these top-end positions is CFA, MBA, CMA or CPA.

The future can be daunting if you are not able to find suitable careers despite having upending qualifications under your belt. To decide on your career long-term, the above list of careers may give you the right focus about your future career growth and success.

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Higher Education Digest October 2022
AJMAL Foundation has given immense importance on expansion of modern education and has undertaken various short term and long term educational activities.

LAW COLLEGE

MUST-WATCH IN NORTH EAST OF THE YEAR 2022

AJMAL LAW COLLEGE

GROOMING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEGAL PROFESSIONALS

Ajmal Law College has the unique distinction of being the 1st law college in Hojai district. Founded in the year 2018, Ajmal Law College is an initiative by the Ajmal Foundation which has initiated a concentrated effort to advance the cause of education in underdeveloped areas of Assam in order to bridge the urban- rural gap and to uplift and empower the marginalised and the disadvantaged sections of the student population. The broad purpose is to provide opportunities to the student community to acquire knowledge and inculcate values among them. The Trustees of Ajmal Foundation, who patronised 32 colleges in the most backward districts of Assam in the past, felt the need

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Maulana Badruddin Ajmal, Member of Parliament and Trustee, Ajmal Foundation

to open a Law College, the 1st of its kind in Hojai District. As a result, Ajmal Law College was incepted with an aspiration to teach the values of equity, justice, and good conscience to the students and mold them to be the torchbearers of a dynamic and democratic society.

“With consistent hard work and dedication of the faculty members, staff, and students, we aim to achieve our mission to make Ajmal Law College a center of excellence in the field of legal education in the state of Assam,” says

Mr. Sirajuddin Ajmal, Managing Trustee of Ajmal Foundation & MLA of Jumunamuk Constituency, Assam

Akkas Ali, Principal, Ajmal LawCollege. The college is approved by the Bar Council of India, New Delhi, and is affiliated to Gauhati University. Presently, it offers both three-year LL.B and five-year B.A.LL.B courses.

A Well-Designed Infrastructure with Modern Facilities

Ajmal Law College is located on a serene campus away from the hustle and bustle of urban life with architecturally designed buildings. The campus

46 Higher October 2022

Dr. M.R.H. Azad, General Manager, Ajmal Foundation

provides various academic and infrastructural facilities to the students and faculty members, including boys and girls’ common rooms, moot court halls, smart classrooms, seminar halls, library, Wi-Fi enabled facilities, hostels, legal aid cell, counseling services, judiciary coaching classes, health care facilities, and a lot more.

Well-Qualified Team of Faculty Members

Each faculty member of Ajmal Law College is highly qualified with an excellent academic record and specialization in different fields of legal education. They are incredibly dedicated and hardworking and have undergone various orientation programs on the issues of current legal importance.Their singular aim is to impart quality legal education and support the overall development of their students.

Student’s Life at the Campus

Ajmal Law College has a diverse population of learners coming from different parts of North-East India, especially the tribal areas, symbolizing ‘Unity in Diversity’. The college campus provides a holistic learning environment to students, thereby instilling within them a search for knowledge rooted in the values of integrity, equality, and professionalism. In turn, students also find the campus atmosphere rejuvenating and full of promise.

Moreover, competitions are held at national and international levels to encourage interaction and exchange of legal ideas among students.

Cultural programs and events are also being organized. Besides these, the students are well-guided and taken care of in preparing for different competitive exams like Assam Public

47 Higher Education Digest October 2022
Dr. Khasrul Islam, Director, Ajmal Foundation Akkas Ali, Principal

Service Commissions, Assam Judicial Service, Common Law Admission Test, and other competitive exams at the graduate level.

Promoting Industry-Academia Collaboration

Ajmal Law College has collaborated with various public sector undertakings, private companies, NGOs, legal service authorities, commissions, and other international legal institutions to impart legal and practical knowledge and offer internship programs to its students from the very first year. Likewise, the college is striving to collaborate with reputed global colleges and universities in the field of legal education in the near future.

Aiming toward excellence, Ajmal Law College conducts various moot courts, debate competitions, panel and group discussions, seminars, workshops, and symposiums for the holistic development of it’s students. Apart

from this, judicial services coaching, selfstudy, and personality development classes are held every day to enhance student innovation and creativity.

A ‘Legal Aid Cell’ Assisting Financially Strained Community

A well-equipped Legal Aid Cell has been set up at Ajmal Law College, which was inaugurated by Dr. R.C. Barpatragohain, Former Advocate General of Gauhati High Court on the auspicious occasion of Constitution Day i.e. 26th November 2018. With the promise of providing ‘probono’ legal advice and litigation assistance to the general public, the cell has been formed in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority. Through this cell, legal services are provided to people from Dhanuhar Basti and Fakira Basti— two villages adopted by the Legal Services Authority during the legal aid camps.

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The College boasts of a state of the art Computer Laboratory with high speed Broadband facilities to ensure that students are able to have access to the plethora of knowledge available over the internet, so as to keep themselves abreast with the latest developments in the Legal arena throughout the world.

An Impressive Placement Record

The legal profession is one of the fastest-growing and most respected professions of the present times. Therefore, students aiming for a law degree have a variety of options to choose from— be it in civil services, direct entry judicial magistrates, banking sector, legal officers in the corporate sector, academics, defense forces, private practice, tax consultant, I.P.R. consultant etc.

To equip students with these opportunities, Ajmal Law College conducts a placement drive every year and invites leading law practicing companies to its campus. Principal Akkas Ali shares that the first batch of students of Ajmal Law College had an outstanding result with three-position holders under Gauhati University and the rest acquired 1st division with flying colors, and all the students are well-placed in different fields i.e. working as journalists, pursuing LLM from reputed universities, practicingas advocates, working in reputed law firms, etc.

Scholarships for Financially Burdened as well as Meritorious Students

Realising the need for the financially stressed students to pursue legal education and to bring social transformation

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In line with the infrastructure of other colleges, Ajmal Law College is coming up in a serene location free from the busy urban life with architecturally well designed and spacious academic campus with all facilities available.

for the backwardsections of the society, Ajmal Law College provides numerous scholarships to students belonging from SC/ST/OBC/MOBC & minority communities which are available under various governmental schemes. In addition, provisions for special scholarship programs have been made available for meritorious students by Ajmal Foundation which endorses its mission: “Ajmal for Education, and Education for All”.

The Future Scope of Legal Landscape “Law is the cement of the society and an essential medium of change,” quotes, Principal Akkas Ali. However, with the advent of globalization, the legal landscape has faced a paradigm shift. Today,law is no longer considered merely a tool to control human conduct and maintain equilibrium in society. Instead, it has emerged as a tool for safeguarding every aspect of life as we know it—economic, social, political, environmental, etc.

Ajmal Law College is uniquely positioned to cater to the changing demands of the legal landscape as it prepares students to face the ongoing challenges in the legal arena, increase the reputation of the legal profession, and grow and contribute by providing multiple opportunities to law aspirants for the progress and development of the country.

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Higher Education Digest October 2022
NORTONLIFELOCK.COM

PHARMACY COLLEGES

Amrita School of Pharmacy Geeta Institute of Pharmacy

Website: Location: Kochi, Kerala

Keyperson: Dr. Sabitha M, Principal

Admission:

Website:

Location: Naultha, Haryana

Keyperson: Dr. Sunil Jawla, Principal

Admission:

https://www.amrita.edu/school/pharmacy/ https://geetapharmacy.edu.in/ https://www.amrita.edu/admissions/ https://ggi.nopaperforms.com/

52 Higher Education Digest October 2022

JSS College of Pharmacy

Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College Of Pharmacy & Research Institute

Website: Location: Mysuru, Karnataka

Keyperson: Dr. Pramod Kumar T M, Principal

Admission:

Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Website:

Location: Karjat, Maharashtra

Keyperson: Dr. MK Kale, Principal

Admission:

https://kgrdcp.com/b-pharm/

https://www.jssuni.edu.in/ https://kgrdcp.com/ https://jssuni.edu.in/jssaher/jssaher-admissions/ admissions-home.aspx?

National College of Pharmacy

Website: Location: Manipal, Karnataka

Keyperson: C Mallikarjuna Rao, Principal

Admission:

Website:

Location: Kozhikode, Kerala

Keyperson: Dr. K. Moidu, Chairman

Admission:

https://manipal.edu/mcops-manipal.html https://www.nationalcollegeofpharmacy.org/ https://manipal.edu/mu/admission.html

https://www.nationalcollegeofpharmacy.org/ admission.html

53 Higher Education Digest October 2022

NMIMS Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management

PSG College of Pharmacy

Website:

https://pharmacy.nmims.edu/

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Keyperson: Dr. Bala Prabhakar, Dean

Website:

Location: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Keyperson: Dr. M. Ramanathan, Principal

https://psgpharma.ac.in/ https://nmims.edu/admission

Admission: Website: Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

Admission:

https://psgpharma.ac.in/admission/admissionprocedure-how-to-apply/

Ramaiah College of Pharmacy

https://pharmacy.msruas.ac.in/

Keyperson: Dr. S. Bharath, Dean

Admission:

https://www.msruas.ac.in/admissions

SRM College of Pharmacy

Website:

https://www.srmist.edu.in/department/ college-of-pharmacy/

Location: Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Keyperson: Dr. V. Chitra, Dean

Admission:

https://www.srmist.edu.in/admissions/

54 Higher Education Digest October 2022

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55 Higher Education Digest October 2022
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MEASUREMENTTECHNOLOGIES &
GLOBALBEST

PHARMACY COLLEGES

GEETA INSTITUTE OF PHARMACY

PRODUCING THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMPETENT PHARMACISTS

Established in 2019, Geeta Institute of Pharmacy is a private, un-aided institute in Haryana’s Panipat district. It is approved by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), New Delhi and duly affiliated to Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak (A Haryana State Government University, Accredited ‘A’ Grade by NAAC), Haryana State Board of Technical Education and Geeta University, Panipat.

“Our vision at Geeta Institute of Pharmacy is to produce competent pharmacists fulfilling the future needs of society, industry, academics and research,” shares Dr. Sunil Jawla, Principal & Professor. In line with this vision, the institute strives to achieve academic excellence using a student-centric and outcome-

56 Higher Education Digest October 2022

Geeta Institute of Pharmacy aims to produce competent pharmacists full filling the future needs of Society, Industry, Academics and Research.

Higher Education Digest October 2022

based teaching-learning process, promoting interdisciplinary research, building strong academic and industry-oriented connections, and inculcating the right moral values and professional ethics among students to become responsible citizens.

State-of-the-art Infrastructure & Modern Facilities

Geeta Institute of Pharmacy possesses an ultramodern infrastructure and well-equipped laboratories such as a pharmaceutics lab, pharmacy practice lab, pharmacology lab, pharmacognosy lab, central instrumentation room, machine room, museum, computer lab etc. to enrich the students with the latest

Geeta Institute of Pharmacy is on a mission to be recognized as a premier pharmacy institution of academic excellence in this NCR Region.

58 Higher Education Digest October 2022

developments in the field of pharmaceutical sciences as per norms and curriculum of the courses.

Furthermore, the institute’s central library has a rich collection of books covering all pharmacy subjects, along with subscribed magazines and online journals. Besides these, there are other amenities like a cafeteria, gymnasium, transport, Wi-Fi facilities, 24 hrs electric backup, smart classrooms with audio visual aids and an auditorium.

Course Offerings

Geeta Institute of Pharmacy offers a two-year full-time diploma and a four-year undergraduate degree program. The Diploma in Pharmacy program is designed to familiarise students with the basic concepts of pharmaceutical science and prepare them with the necessary

skills and academic knowledge for entry-level positions in retail pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies.

Likewise, the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharma) program covers all facets of healthcare, including biochemical areas that concern the preparation of medicines and implementing those for the right diagnosis. This program aims to teach students how to become attentive professionals to ensure the selection of the right drug for the right treatment for all topics of pharmacology, chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry, kinetics, pharmacy management and compounding medications are covered.

Diverse Student Population

“We are engaging, involving, and inspiring people on our campus, in communities, and

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Dr. Sunil Jawla, Principal & Professor

around the world to improve our understanding of social inclusion and how we can foster inclusive and effective solutions to social as well as professional issues,” states Dr. Sunil Jawla. Owing to this inclusive culture, the institute comprises a diverse student population from various regions of India, such as Delhi NCR, U.P, Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana, J&K, and North-East states like Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam.

Expert Faculty Dedicated to Academic Excellence

The faculty of Geeta Institute of Pharmacy brings a wealth of knowledge from industry

and academics. They are dedicated individuals who combine academic theory with reallife industry knowledge, providing quality learning experiences and sharing their knowledge with the students. They also take an active interest in their student’s personal and professional development.

From designing the curriculum to developing term projects, Geeta Institute of Pharmacy faculty has always raised the bar and set new standards in pharmacy education. In addition, they take a keen interest in research & development and have published numerous manuscripts in peer-reviewed, high-impact factor, national and international journals.

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Geeta Institute of Pharmacy laboratories are equipped with modern equipment and amenities to provide a practical touch in learning for its students.

Promoting Industry-Academia Collaboration

In today’s dynamic and competitive global business environment, the need for collaboration between industry and academia is evident more than ever before. These collaborations produce meaningful results that transform students to carry out such projects in institutional laboratories.

Taking a leading step in this direction, Geeta Institute of Pharmacy has arranged industrial visits at Nitin Pharmaceuticals, Karnal; Laborate Pharmaceuticals and is in the process of strengthening industry-academia collaboration. In addition, the premier pharmacy institute has also signed MOUs with Park Hospital, Panipat, to improve the pharmacy practice skills and abilities among students. Likewise, Geeta Institute of Pharmacy’s panel of advisory board comprises eminent professors from various academic institutes like NIPER, Panjab University, Jamia Hamdard, DIPSAR, DIPSRU, BHU, GJU, MDU, along with professors from international institutions like Graduate Institute of Health Sciences, Near East University, Lefkoşa (Nicosia) N. Cyprus etc.

Nurturing Creativity in Young Learners

To encourage student innovation and creativity, Geeta Institute of Pharmacy organises team-building exercises, collaborative projects, quizzes, and various other competitions to help students tap into their creative potential, think out of the box and be unafraid of taking risks. Likewise, the institute also invites inspiring innovators to share their journeys, insights, and experiences with the students.

Recently, Geeta Institute of Pharmacy successfully organised a workshop on ‘Patenting in Pharmaceuticals’, which shed light on the importance of patent filing and how it helps drug companies guarantee a profit and make their efforts and investments worthwhile in the long run. Through this workshop, students & faculty learned about the patent

61 Higher Education Digest October 2022

filling process. Similarly, a guest lecture was organised on drug delivery of dermal disorders. In the past, the students and faculties have also attended numerous webinars and conferences to explore pharmaceutical innovations.

A Good Placement Record

Geeta Institute of Pharmacy students have been successfully placed in numerous pharmaceutical organisations such as hospitals, community pharmacies,

Geeta Institute of Pharmacy’s herbal garden comprises of several medicinal plants including herbs, shrubs and trees, cultivated and maintained by a dedicated department.

62 Higher Education Digest October 2022

and other related pharmaceutical fields. The 2019-2021 batch of D. Pharmacy students were placed in various private hospitals and associated roles, with several students placed in Alembic Pharmaceuticals.

Attractive Scholarship Programmes

Geeta Institute of Pharmacy provides a wide range of scholarships to lend financial support and motivate students. Students with 60 per cent or above are given a scholarship of 10 per cent, 70 or above are given a scholarship of 30 per cent, 80

or above are given a scholarship of 40 per cent, 90 or above are given a scholarship of 50 per cent, while 95 or above are given a scholarship of 100 per cent.

Student Life at Campus

Geeta Institute of Pharmacy offers a holistic, fun-filled, and positive campus environment to the students where they get to learn and experience new things each and every day. Access to advanced technology around the institution keeps students engaged and connected. Moreover, the management of Geeta Institute of Pharmacy focuses on creating spaces where students can become the best versions of themselves and later serve society as model citizens.

Apart from these, the institute regularly organises personality development programs (PDP), along with annual events and cultural fests. Students also get to choose from various co-curricular activities, hobbies, and interactive clubs and societies in the institute. Most importantly, Geeta Institute of Pharmacy has a ragging-free environment where students can learn, live, and lead without burden or pressure.

Overcoming the Pandemic Times

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Geeta Institute of Pharmacy adopted an ERP education system to help teachers and students leverage virtual mode technology seamlessly. Faculty members delivered live lectures, and students actively participated in the learning process. Moreover, two-way communication was adopted, so students remained alert, engaged, and focused.

63 Higher Education Digest October 2022

In addition, Geeta Institute of Pharmacy organised webinars which were delivered by many eminent personalities in the field, such as Dr. Sumit(Senior Research Scientist, Astra-Zeneca, Sweden), Dr. Sunil (Xavier University, Louisiana, USA), Mr. Abhey Chandel (PerkinElmer, New Delhi), Dr. Munish Ahuja (Professor, GJU, Hisar), and Mr. Sandeep Saini (Director, Forest Pharmacy, UK,). Geeta Institute of Pharmacy also celebrated 59th National Pharmacy Week with great enthusiasm. These events exposed the students to the latest developments in the field of pharmaceutical education and research.

Future Plans

Going ahead, Geeta Institute of Pharmacy has put forward effective and practical plans to counter the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this plan, the institute aims to reengage and re-enrol students by offering world-class facilities and ambience for advanced levels of teaching and practical training, use remote learning and educational resources to mitigate the loss of learning, develop modern research laboratories to attract student population, and strengthen ties with industries, professional societies, accrediting bodies, and statutory authorities.

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Why EdTech Cannot Replace Instructor-Led Learning

Karun Tadepalli, CEO & Co- Founder, byteXL

Karun Tadepalli is the Co-founder and CEO of byteXL, one of the leading experiential learning platforms for IT career aspirants. He has a rich experience of more than two decades as a technology leader in leading teams globally, building enterprise applications for large enterprises and start-ups; including learning platforms. Karun visualized the need for practical and structured learning to reduce the skill gap between graduates and industry-readiness. He founded byteXL intending to reduce this skill gap and enhance the students’ employability quotient.

66 Higher Education Digest October 2022
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

A s educational institutions and workplaces slowly began to open two years into the pandemic, there has also been some emphasis on the brickand-mortar mode of schooling. The pandemic times have seen a surge in EdTech. People across schools and colleges began to draw a myriad of benefits online education. However, some educational institutions seem to be content with switching over to brick and mortar. Prominent EdTech platforms are not left behind in the idea of having a physical school besides the online education by opening Tuition Centres. A few other EdTech platforms are following suit.

What does this tell us? There is belief being circulated that EdTech is failing us. Blame it on the obsolete not user-friendly software, or the claim that teachers are not trained enough on technology in the classroom. Then there are those

students who are simply not motivated enough for online education. And for a few parents, it’s all about reducing the screen-time for children!

This is just the flip-side of the enormous numbers of people whose education was saved by EdTech especially during the lockdowns. Suddenly parents realized that much more can be achieved on EdTech platforms, never mind the expenses – they have been more interested in offering education to their children while saving time on commute and the time.

But the one fact that everybody comes to agree about is the role that an instructor plays –both online and in physical school. Irrespective of the hybrid model, it is the instructor who plays a major role in imparting the right knowledge and prepare the students. There are more reasons why EdTech will not entirely replace instructorbased learning. Here’s more:

67 Higher Education Digest October 2022
Irrespective of the hybrid model, it is the instructor who plays a major role in imparting the right knowledge and prepare the students

Contrary to what should have been the case, EdTech has not been omnichannel. Children from the economically marginalized population have already lost on education during the pandemic

1. The debate itself is invalid in saying that EdTech will replace the instructor: Firstly, we need to understand that EdTech was not devised to replace an instructor. It was only meant to complement an instructor’s coaching. EdTech is exactly what the internet had done to the computer – it enhanced the competencies of a computer through progressive technologies and brought the world closer with improving communications. EdTech must only serve as an enhanced mode of learning and skilling than the sole AI-enabled education-providing platform.

2. EdTech should be an enabler for the instructor to teach in every nook and corner: EdTech must play an important role in taking education to the remotest of places. The instructor must use EdTech as a tool to disseminate the learning sessions. This applies to all the tier 2 and tier 3 cities and it necessitates that technology and internet are robust in these regions. The EdTech platform must serve as an instructorbased learning tool. Although today we have the technology for delivery of the curriculum independent of a real tutor, the teacher-student interaction is highly recommended to develop the ability to analyze and communicate.

3. EdTech must make education accessible in rural areas as well: Contrary to what should have been the case, EdTech has not been omnichannel. Children from the economically marginalized population have already lost on education during the pandemic. According to a survey called ‘School Children’s Online and Offline

68 Higher Education Digest October 2022

Learning Survey (SCHOOL)’ in September 2021, 37% of the students in the rural areas were not studying at all. As many as 48% of the rural children were not able to read more than a few words. Only 8% of the rural students were attending the school online.

4. EdTech should be affordable for the low-income groups: In low and lower middle-income economies such as India, school enrolment is directly proportional to the rising parental income and education. If parents’ educational level is low, secondary school enrolment will equally be sensitive to household income; suggests a 2018 report by the World Bank. The lower-income group parents who see no incentives such as a mid-day meal see no benefit of online learning. Besides they also find it expensive to pay for online education, let alone the awareness that online education can give them.

5. EdTech must be accountable: It’s always easier to approach an institute, the management and the tutor whose physical presence gives an assurance to the students and parents. This is unlike an online school that appears to be intangible or elusive. Secondly, an EdTech platform by recruiting a trained instructor builds trust among the students and parents.

6. The purpose of EdTech should be to reduce the costs of education:

Schools and colleges can adopt free online tools to improve the quality of education.

While the Government has already provided platforms like NPTEL or Khan Academy to complement school curricula, it is the academic institution that must leverage the option to adopt digital learning as an auxiliary tool. A state mandate can be fruitful in this direction to empower the schools for digital education. Big EdTech players on the other hand must come up with workable business models that do not burden the parents or students with costs that go overboard their school or college fees.

7. EdTech must be empowered by producing more and more technologically sound talents: EdTech should work towards the goal by bringing the expertise of the instructor as well. At any point of time, EdTech should prioritize bridging the skill gap and help meet the demands of industry.

It is clear that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the EdTech market. But EdTech needs to bear some more responsibility by considering the fact that instructor-led teaching and the EdTech platform must go hand-in-hand. Somewhere along the line the purpose of EdTech has digressed. It seems to be heading towards a mechanical form of learning. But the goal of EdTech is to make education more accessible and provide auxiliary knowledge and this goal should not be forgotten. Besides, making EdTech affordable substantiated with an instructor will keep it yielding in the long run.

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Established in 2006-2007, under the able, dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Late Shri P.N. Dharkar, Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy and Research Institute (KGRDCP & RI) is one of the promising Pharmacy colleges in the country today. The visionary and an eminent educationist had a calling to provide education to socio-economically weak and rural students. Today, the college has grown tremendously, with students from diverse backgrounds sharing ideas and creating new solutions to age-old problems.

The college has one vision: to create competent Pharmacy professionals through quality education. In their pursuance of this vision, Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy and Research Institute aims to excel in the field of pharmacy education and research by providing good governance, best teaching & learning practices, nurturing competent Pharmacy professionals for industry, academic & research and contributing in healthcare to ensure the wellbeing of mankind. Their goal is to impart a high standard of education to students by

Higher Education Digest October 2022
KONKAN GYANPEETH RAHUL DHARKAR COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE (KGRDCP & RI)
INSPIRING STUDENTS TO TRANSFORM THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY
PHARMACY COLLEGES
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Higher Education Digest October 2022
Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College Of Pharmacy & research Institute, Karjat provides an opportunity for students to grow intellectually and socially with stateof-the-art infrastructures, furnished classrooms and laboratories.

instruments and equipment “Our focus is on our Vision and Mission for grooming the students with quality objective-based education and student centric learning for accomplishing the vision to create a competent pharmacy professional We and learning practices to students throughout the course,” says Dr. Mohan Kale, Principal, Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy and Research Institute.

undergraduate courses in pharmacy (B. Pharm:100 seats) and a Diploma in Pharmacy (60 seats) The college is NAAC accredited, and both the pharmacy programs are approved by “All India Council of Technical Education” (AICTE) and Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), Govt of MS, DTE, and Mumbai and D. Pharm. to MSBTE.

Cutting-Edge Resources for Students

KGRDCP & RI has well-equipped laboratories, sophisticated instruments, internet facilities, a language laboratory, ICT-enabled classrooms, and a digital library with a massive collection of books. The faculty comprises 34 experienced teachers, including six doctorates and 19 postgraduates, of which 9 are pursuing Ph.D.

Until now, KGRDCP & RI has produced more than 800 graduate students, the majority pursuing higher studies or doing their Ph.D.

India and abroad. “We always have focused on students’ intellectual and social growth. To continually assess and assure the quality of education imparted to the students and to motivate them regularly. We regularly organize assessments, quizzes, seminars, conferences, and workshops on the national and international level,” shares Dr. Mohan Kale.

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Dr Mohan Kale, Principal

The institute has consistently proved its preeminence in organizing brain booster sessions among all other colleges of Mumbai University. Apart from this, career and entrepreneurship development programs, guidance for higher education (GPAT, GRE, IELTS), and industrial visits are arranged for students to update their knowledge from time to time. “Our placement cell has always worked effortlessly for arranging campus interviews and maintained an outstanding track record of placing graduates in the leading pharmaceutical industries. I feel proud to share

the success stories of passed-out students placed in reputed multinational industries and academics. 70% of the students were placed in Wockhardt Limited, Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd., Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Cipla, Cognizant Technologies Solutions, GSK Pharmaceuticals, GeBBS Healthcare Solutions, IQVIA, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Indoco Remedies, Zyvion, Medplus, Fredun Pharma and IKS Pharma Pharmacist, TCS and many more reputed leading companies with respectable package. At the same time, many have become entrepreneurs and run their own firms successfully,” states Dr. Mohan Kale.

The College is situated on a sprawling 6.23 acres of lush green campus with built-up area more than 61000 sq ft, and all its laboratories are fully equipped with necessary instruments along with facilities like water, gas, electricity supply, vacuum supply and safety features such as fire extinguishers.

In Concert with the Industry KGRDCP & RI continuously challenges itself to innovate as they go. By constantly improving their methods and syllabus to stay current with the times and create new solutions in the use of medicines and health technologies over the next 20 years. The best curricular teams are full of thinkers who begin with the end in mind and then work

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methodically to forecast, plan, and design for the future. Because of COVID-19, many universities have transitioned to emergency remote delivery of courses (i.e., primarily online and with no face-to-face interactions). At KGRDCP & RI, they were fortunate in some aspects to achieve remote delivery. The college had recently undergone a curriculum transformation that included increased active learning, a focus on skill development, more experiential placements, and a required research project. Also, students would experience similar formats, technologies, and expectations across their classes.

After considering each element of their curriculum, the college agreed on a consistent

approach for how it would be delivered online. After prioritizing consistency, KGRDCP adapted a sustainability mindset, promoting a “reduce, reuse, recycle, and renew” approach. “We reduced content as per the University guidelines, learning objectives, and synchronous learning requirements. We assumed that students could acquire knowledge through online platforms. We reused previous lecture recordings, assessments, and learning materials. When still relevant, instructors reformatted recorded lectures from the previous year. Teachers recycled previously created assessments and material for student remediation and self-study,” Dr. Mohan explains.

Under the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) Government of India,

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KGRDCP & RI established the Institute Innovation council cell in September 2018 to foster the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students. Similarly, the college received four stars as an appreciation for conducting programs. “In association with “Make Intern” and Shastra IIT Madras, we conducted a one-week workshop on skill development program on medical devices to inculcate the research skills in our students,” shares Dr. Mohan Kale.

The college was awarded a “Certificate of Excellence” for being the Zonal Centre for the workshop by Shastra 2019-20 IIT Madras event. “Along with the curriculum, our students also work meticulously on small research projects under the guidance of teachers. This research work is also published in scientific journals with good impact factor by students which help them to develop their writing skills,” shares Dr. Mohan Kale. KGRDCP & RI has received 14 research grants, 5 seminar grants, 3 laboratory up-

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gradation, i.e., MODROBs, and a few grants for social causes awareness, faculty development, and skill development grants from various national bodies like AICTE, SERB, DBT, University of Mumbai, ICMR with a total outlay of nearly 100 lakhs. In 2020 and 2021, KGRDCP & RI was awarded Best Pharmacy college in Maharashtra for Industry Interface by the Centre for Education Growth and Research (CEGR). Also, Dr. Mohan Kale Principal was awarded by CEGR for Principal of the Year and the ICONIC Principal Award by FAMA.

KGRDCP & RI has signed several MoUs with Industries, hospitals, pathology labs, and academies. These collaborations have benefited students, as they get industrial exposure and opportunities to work on industry projects. “Our students actively participate in Inter-University Research competition, poster presentation competition and also other activities like Life, personality and communication skills development program, Wellness & Health awareness program in association with Madhavbaug hospital, Women empowerment summit, Yoga and Fitness camp, Green campus, intercollegiate events like Rx Festival,” Dr. Mohan shares. In 2020-21, KGRDCP & RI virtually signed MoU with the Athlon Institute of Technology, Ireland, for higher education, faculty exchange, and research to broaden the perspectives of nextgeneration pharmacy students and empower them to communicate, negotiate and collaborate across the world.

With a tradition of imparting quality education, the institute actively engages in its mission of extending the frontiers of education beyond simple classroom teaching. The institute is affiliated with the University of Mumbai and follows the

curriculum they specified. The course structure of the curriculum directly or indirectly fulfills the community’s needs and develops the professional skills; enhances the thrust in research or emerging areas and creativity in students. “The faculty members of KGRDCP & RI are on their toes to interact with industry, research bodies, and civil society. The curriculum throws light on various emerging trends in the global pharmaceutical sector. The institute conducts various skill-oriented programs to help the students discover selfpotential, develop their hidden capabilities, and help them decide career options after graduation,” says Dr. Mohan. Soft skill enhancement courses and computer literacy for the students are helpful for multi-skill development, including professional skills and competencies. The college regularly conducts workshops, seminars, and guest lecturers with eminent experts as invited speakers to keep the students abreast with recent

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KGRDCP & RI library is enriched with collection of reference books, text books, e-books, e-journals, and other learning resources. Additionally, the library is supplemented with desktops, photo copier, and printers.

developments in the pharmacy profession and upgrade their knowledge.

The learning never stops at KGRDCP & RI. Professional educational requirements provide the foundation for building the capabilities of professionals. The breadth and depth of preparation, perhaps more than any other factor, enables or limits the extent to which professional students are able to accept personal responsibility for their education and, consequently, their potential as health care providers.

The institute has well-framed student support and mentoring system to counsel and encourage them to participate in various activities. Students are encouraged to participate in sports competitions as well as cultural events. The institute has constituted a student council as per University of Mumbai guidelines. The students are represented in various committees like Anti-ragging, Alumni, International student

cell, Cultural, Sports, grievance redressal & sexual harassment committee/Women internal compliant committee/Mahilatakararnivaran Samiti, SC/ST Committee, Minority Committee. The information regarding curricular, extracurricular, and co-curricular activities, training, and placement activity of the institute is available online on the website.

The institute also provides guidance to students regarding future prospective and competitive exam preparation. The institute has formed an Alumni Association, and our alumni are employed in India and abroad. The institute runs various development programs for students, such as Soft skill development, Yoga and meditation, Employability skill development, Analytical skill development, Personality, and professional development. The students are inspired to participate in conferences and technical events on and off-campus to present their research and innovative thinking.

The Beacons of Quality Education

“Faculty members are the pillars of our institution. Their knowledge up-gradation plays a key role in the success ladder of the institute,” pinpoints Dr. Mohan Kale. The institute’s faculty members are invited as speakers and examiners

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The Teaching–Learning process at KGRDCP & RI is carried out to inculcate the research environment and overall development of the students including personality, attitude, communication skill, writing skill and leadership quality as per the competencies requirement.

games and use concept maps, songs, and study guides. The faculty members also share their ideas for incorporating more active learning into their teaching, including providing interaction with a high percentage of class time with hands-on and problem-solving opportunities, allowing students to create a few questions for an upcoming exam. These kinds of collaborative conversations encourage an atmosphere of safety and the ability to take risks.

for various programs across India. Every year, faculty members of KGRDCP & RI receive funds from multiple research grants for professional and academic expertise to groom the faculties and students.

On the occasion of world environmental day, more than 2000 plants were planted by KGRDCP & RI staff and students with great enthusiasm. For that, the institute was awarded a “Certificate of Appreciation” for its significant contribution to the “One student one tree” initiative 2019 by the hands of AICTE chairman Dr. Prof Anil Sahasrabudhe.

The faculty members at KGRDCP & RI use active learning techniques to engage students and encourage innovation and creativity. They create

There is the provision of a mentor/counselor for each student to provide academic, personal, and psychosocial guidance. The students are engaged in various research activities to create a culture of instilling and nurturing creativity and scientific temper among the learners in the form of “Pharm Fiesta” conducted annually. The institute has a mechanism to evaluate teachers’ performance through feedback from students. The faculty appointment is through the staff selection committee appointed as per the norms of the University. The institute promotes and encourages faculty members to attend various professional development programs.

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Encouraging the Pursuit of Pharma

KGRDCP & RI understands that achieving the best pharmacy education requires financial support for aspirant candidates. So, it provides scholarships to prospective students with several trusts and government-sanctioned provisions. Some of them are Central Sector Scholarship (Pune), Pragati Scholarship (only), Minority Scholarship, Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulk Shishyavrutti Yojana, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Vasatigruh Nirvaha Bhatta Yojana, Dr. Babasaheb Aambedkar Swadhar Nirvaha Bhatta Yojana, and Tata Trust. These will provide scholarships to take care of prospective students and students under education Scholarship Schemes for Diploma in Pharmacy and Degree in Pharmacy. Various Scholarships are provided by Govt. of Maharashtra / AICTE / DTE and private organizations.

Moving forward

The pandemic and consequent lockdown have severely impacted various sectors and businesses. “During the lockdown, we were working hard at all levels to take control of the situation and minimize its impact,” adds Dr. Mohan Kale. To minimize the deficiency of masks and sanitizers during this pandemic, KGRDCP & RI students formulated sanitizers, made masks under the staff’s guidance, and distributed them to needy people in Karjat and nearby areas. The start-up and innovation center of KGRDCP & RI conducted an online COVID-19 Hackathon with a good response from students all over India. In addition, to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem and sharpen the young minds, KGRDCP & RI has conducted five global webinar series titled “Global Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurship, Career, and Start-up Development Online Webinar Series” in the unprecedented period of COVID-19. “Our

students got the opportunity to know the nitty-gritty of pharmaceutical industries, qualities required for various job profiles, and valuable insights from experts. Additionally, the college conducted many brainstorming online competitions like Article writing, Assay writing, poster making, Quiz, Drawing, and Handwriting competitions during the lockdown period,” says Dr. Mohan.

On the flipside, to enhance gender equality and motivate young girls to recognize their hidden talents, the institute arranged an ‘Online Women Empowerment Summit’ with well-known speakers from different subject areas. To cope with this massive global health crisis, the management and staff provided social support to the poor, needy, and migrants in the form of food and other basic requirements. Today, KGRDCP & RI has well-drafted plans about the milestones they want to achieve in the coming years. “We would be setting up a Research Institute with well-equipped innovation, incubation, and start-up center to create the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the college. To enhance the industryinstitute relationship and widen the students’ industrial exposure, there are plans to create a water and food testing lab, analytical lab, pilot plant, and food and chemical testing laboratories which would certainly uplift the college to a higher level,” Dr. Mohan shares. In addition, the college plans to expand its course offerings by starting M. Pharm, MBA, and Ph.D. courses. In a nutshell, KGRDCP & RI Karjat is a student-centric college and a center of excellence in pharmacy education. “With a commitment to creating competent pharmacy professionals, we will eternally drive the knowledge-sharing platform to uplift the pharmacy profession in India to make our nation the best in healthcare,” concludes Dr. Mohan Kale.

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An Analysis of the Role of Design Thinking in Solving Problems and Encouraging Creativity in Higher Education

Chiranjeet Rege, CEO, SILICA

ChiranjeetRege,Director,SILICAhasbeenwiththeorganisation for 10yrs in an entrepreneurial role. Before joining SILICA, he was Audit Manager with Deloitte LLP London for 3 years and the previous 3 years as Audit Executive with KPMG Mumbai and KPMG London. He aims to deliver exceptional quality education and guidance to SILICA students by building teams, systems and technology which will consistently deliver the SILICA promise of exceptional quality.

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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

The Problems We Face:

The human race is approached by many problems and challenges on a daily basis. These problems occur at different levels- personal, societal, organizational, national and global. Some problems are simple and some are more complex and ambiguous. In today’s world, we are affected by problems in all spheres such as climate change, malnutrition, poverty, technological advancement, terrorism, recession, unemployment, business, profession, education, medical breakthroughs and so on. The great Albert Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”. Design Thinking in a unique way these complex, open ended problems.

What is Design Thinking:

A strategy to identify and resolving human problems is design thinking. It can be useful in addressing difficult problems that are complicated and unknown. It involves comprehending

human needs, framing the issue from a human perspective, coming up with original ideas, narrowing down viable solutions to the most practical and workable ones, prototyping, and testing the chosen solution. Design Thinking’s unique approach can also lead to new innovations in products, services, processes, environments, and other human experiences.

Problem-Solving Through Design Thinking:

The number of steps in the Design Thinking process can range from 3 to 7. A five-stage process is suggested by the Hassno Plattner Institute of Design (Stanford D-School). These stages are not sequential; they frequently run parallel, out of sequence, and iteratively.

1. Empathize: knowing the user’s issues, requirements, and preferences in-depth By doing this, the user is kept at the core of the process. Important skills needed during this phase are

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Design Thinking’s unique approach can lead to new innovations in products, services, processes, environments, and other human experiences

empathy, listening, and communicating. Engage & Interact, User Research, Interviews, Surveys, Observation, etc. are some of the methods used.

2. Define: Here, you define the issue in a manner that is human-centered. To create a “Problem Statement,” you will compile and evaluate all you have learned during the Empathize stage. The “Problem Statement” should be written from the user’s perspective. Critical Thinking and Communication Skills are needed at this stage. For example, you should not define the problem from a business standpoint, such as “We need to expand the number of designers we train by 50%.” You should phrase the problem from the user’s perspective: “To be successful in life, young Indians must pursue Creative Careers if they have the proper Aptitude & Interest.”

3. Ideate: You are prepared to come up with ideas at this point. To the problem at hand, you will come up with innovative and creative ideas. Identify different perspectives on the problem and generate as many ideas as you can. For this stage, you’ll use strategies such as body storming, mind mapping, role-playing, brainstorming, four-step sketching, and others. This phase requires for creativity, imagination, and innovative abilities.

4. Prototype: At this stage, you narrow down the top 3-4 best solutions from the various ideas you’ve evaluated. Here, you create scaled-down and reduced versions of the top 3-4 ideas. You turn the concepts into a prototype, test it, and challenge the solution. The answers are put into practise in the prototype and are then either approved, rejected, or revised based on the feedback from test users until you find the ideal solution. Critical Thinking and Communication skills are necessary at this stage.

5. Test: During this stage, you will carefully test the entire product utilising the best solution selected during the prototyping stage. Even though this is the last step, it can alternate between the earlier stages because it is iterative. Based on the knowledge and understanding gained in Stages 1 through 4, this stage is frequently iterative. Understanding the solutions and its users as deeply as possible is the ultimate goal of this stage.

Important Principles of Design Thinking for Problem Solving:

1. Is Human Centric: both the problem and the eventual solution is framed from the human

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centered approach. You focus on the people or community, understand their desires, needs, problems and try to solve them.

2. Different from Scientific Problem

Solving: Scientists often solve problems through analysis, whereas design thinking requires analysis, ideation, imagination, empathy and Analyses.

iterative process where you can loop back to any stage to enhance the outcome or solution. Changing based on feedback and experiments is essential to the process.

5. Is Collaborative: Design Thinking process cannot happen in isolation or in a laboratory. It requires inputs and active participation from all stakeholders e.g. in a manufacturing problem, you will need inputs from future customers, engineers, management, labourers and so on.

In today’s rapidly changing world, Design Thinking applies to all great thinkers and inventors in science, engineering, medicine, business, literature, art, and so on. The majority of well-known companies, like Bank of America, Nike, Samsung, Apple, Google, IBM, Pepsi, Netflix, and Airbnb, have embraced the Design Thinking methodology to address their business problems and innovate. Design thinking is beneficial irrespective of your role or industry. Design thinking can help you build innovative solutions based on the demands of your stakeholders, whether you are in business, government, education, or non-profit. Therefore, in order to solve every day professional and personal problems, all professionals must understand and apply Design Thinking.

3. Involves Divergent & Convergent

Thinking: Design Thinkers will evolve as many possible solutions as they can think of (divergent thinking) and then they will apply the scientific & logical side (convergent thinking) to narrow them down to the most suitable option.

4. Is Experimental & Iterative: Design thinking process is not linear advancing through the different stages. Rather it is an

Importance of 4Cs in Higher Education:

The world today is unstable and undergoing rapid change. To respond to these challenges and succeed, every student in a professional course needs to be adaptable and skilled. Higher order talents like Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, and Communication (commonly referred to as the 4C skills) are frequently sought after in 21st century workplaces. Additionally,

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In today’s rapidly changing world, Design Thinking applies to all great thinkers and inventors in science, engineering, medicine, business, literature, art, and so on

companies are looking for soft skills like empathy, flexibility, decision-making, and problem-solving. The recently released National Education Policy, NEP 2020 by the Government of India also espouses these same concepts for skill development. Design Thinking enables aspiring students and professionals to develop these higher order and life skills.

Amongst all the higher order skills, Creativity is the most neglected in the Indian education system. Students are encouraged to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine, often called STEM subjects. Creativity is defined as the ability to produce original, unique and new ideas, methods or things, to help solve problems, innovate, communicate and live better. Creativity helps to generate or recognize ideas, connections, alternatives, or possibilities. It is the ability to transcend the traditional ways of thinking and imagining new and original ideas. Creativity is at the essence of any innovation or transformation.

As per World Economic Forum, Creativity is an essential skill for the 21st Century Professional.

Creativity is important in education for the following reasons:

1. It builds ability in students to understand complex information and situations

2. It helps in developing collaboration skills and empathy

3. It allows students to express themselves freely

4. It encourages students to be lifelong learners

5. It promotes risk taking and innovation

6. It promotes thinking outside the box and solving problems

One of the myths about creativity is that it cannot be learned. Multiple studies and research have shown that creativity is as much as skill that can be acquired and fostered as it is inborn. The NEP 2020 has renewed focus on bringing creativity to Indian classrooms, which bodes well for Indian youth.

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One of the myths about Creativity is that it cannot be learned. Multiple studies and research have shown that creativity is as much as skill that can be acquired and fostered as it is inborn

PHARMACY COLLEGES

NMIMS SHOBHABEN PRATAPBHAI PATEL SCHOOL OF PHARMACY & TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT (SPPSPTM)

OFFERING PRACTICE-ORIENTED PHARMACY EDUCATION

Established in 2006 to serve our nation’s healthcare system, NMIMS Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management has the vision to develop an excellent pharmacy school, incorporating pharmacy education and research, providing interdisciplinary education in the fields of pharmacy and management and cultivating globally competitive, self-reliant pharmacists by 2030.

“Our School, under the aegis of SVKM’s NMIMS, is the first university in the country to provide an integrated degree in pharma and management. Our courses are designed to meet the needs of the expanding Pharma Industry and are reviewed regularly in consultation with our Board of Studies comprising eminent experts from the Pharma Industry, Research, FDA, and India’s

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Over the years, SPPSPTM has made significant inroads in the sphere of pharmaceutical education and research, achieved by outstanding student participation in various activities ably supported by highly qualified and motivated faculty and a world-class infrastructure.

Higher Education Digest October 2022

leading academic institutions,” shares Dr. Bala Prabhakar, the Dean at NMIMS Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM).

SPPSPTM has made considerable strides in the field of pharmaceutical education and research over the years due to the remarkable participation of its faculty and students in a variety of activities, supported by an excellent infrastructure. A significant focus on quality and industry readiness is reinforced by the active involvement of skilled and enthusiastic fulltime and visiting faculty who bring a wealth of professional experience and knowledge. “We have researchers working in various fields,

SPPSPTM has research scholars who are working in diverse areas like Novel drug delivery system (NDDS), Computer aided drug design, Analytical method development, Phytochemical and Pharmacological evaluation of drugs.

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including nanotechnology, drug delivery, drug synthesis, computer-aided drug design, analytical method development, and phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of pharmaceuticals, to mention a few,” states Dr. Bala Prabhakar. The courses and the practices at our campus are tailored to the requirements of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, excipient, medical device industries and hospitals. As per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2022, India, by the Ministry of Education, SPPSPTM has been ranked 11th in the country among all Pharmacy Schools.

All about Being Industry-Ready

At SPPSPTM, industry relationships enable faculty members to comprehend the pharmaceutical industry’s research inclinations

and engage in consultancy work with the companies. Faculty members collaborate with the industry, and their experience is utilised to solve challenges in industry research. Many of them work with industries on research projects that they fund, formulation development plans, analytical method development and validation, and efficacy and toxicity study of drugs and formulations, to name a few. Additionally, the school offers guest lectures by renowned industry personalities, scientists, and international professors, exposing SPPSPTM faculty and students to the latest developments in the healthcare sector.

Industrial training is a vital component of the curricula, through which faculty and students get excellent exposure to various processes in the industry. Besides that, frequent visits to

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Central Instrumentation Lab

the industry are undertaken to provide a better understanding of its operations. Furthermore, students at the campus have access to advanced instruments commonly utilised in industrial settings, allowing them to gain practical experience. The postgraduate students and research scholars work on collaborative projects with the industry. The courses place a great deal of emphasis on Industry interaction and hence,

have the right balance of academic excellence and practical application.

The school has the membership of various national and international professional bodies, which provide a forum for better networking opportunities - Indian Drugs Manufacturing Association (IDMA), Confederation of Indian Industries (CII’s), Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council (LSSSDC), The Indian

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Society for Technical Education (ISTE) and membership of International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).

SPPSPTM also invites faculty from foreign universities to take a few courses for UG and PG programmes. Recently, SPPSPTM invited faculty from the University of Mississippi, the USA, to deliver lectures in the area of pharmaceutics. Now, collaborations have

become of utmost importance for the growth of students, faculty and institution. The school has collaborated with various national and international institutions of repute, including the University of Torino, Italy; University of Iceland; King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia; MAHSA University, Malaysia, for various research activities. The faculty are involved in collaborative research, which helps in understanding emerging trends in different areas of the healthcare sector, unmet needs concerning therapeutics etc. It enables faculty to upgrade the course content and course delivery.

Providing the Best of the best SPPSPTM is a preferred destination for the bright, inquisitive and creative thinking students who wish to pursue pharmacy education. The students can also opt for various interdisciplinary courses offered by other Schools of NMIMS innovatively. The students can access multiple platforms like Coursera, MOOCS, and SWAYAM to acquire additional skills. As students advance from one year to the next, they foster bonds with their peers, built on the framework of teamwork, cooperation and collaboration. This is stimulated through various group interactions, including presentations, class discussions and debates, and the inculcation of teamwork through laboratory tasks. With a vast array of studentrun committees and extracurricular initiatives, students have a delicate balance between intellectual development in the classroom and development outside of it. While the routine is undoubtedly demanding, to meet the industry’s standards and ever-changing needs, it is ensured that students create unforgettable memories along the way.

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With the inclusion of events such as traditional day, sports day, corporate and cultural events etc.; celebration and recognition of several significant dates such as World Pharmacist’s day, World IP day, World Entrepreneurs day and others; Social responsibility activities like Svasthya, Aarogya, Kartavya and so on, will definitely create memories for students, which they will cherish long after they have moved on to the subsequent phases of their lives. The University also has a Student Council, which provides a platform for the students to organise various co-curricular and extracurricular activities. This allows the students to interact with students of other schools as well.

SPPSPTM features outstanding lab facilities with the latest equipment, an animal house facility, and good teaching and learning practices primarily focused on student feedback

mechanisms. It is a model pharmacy school with the unique quality of offering integrated programs at the graduate and postgraduate levels. These courses are an amalgamation of technical knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences and business administration. “Our school also offers PhD programmes in pharmaceutical sciences. This programme is also available to industry candidates. SPPSTM’s student community is diverse, with students from all over India and overseas,” says Dr Bala.

The school provides 100% placement assistance to students. Most recently, the 2022 batch of students have received coveted job profiles and salary packages from corporate giants like Ernst & Young, ACG, Bharat Serum & Vaccines, Beckton Dickinson, Cognizant, Freyr Solutions, Glenmark Pharma, Grandview Research, IQVIA, Intas, J. B. Chemicals,

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SPPSPTM, with excellent lab facilities, good teaching and learning practices based majorly on student feedback systems, is a model pharmacy school conducting various graduate, postgraduate and research programs in pharmaceutical sciences.

Macleods, Nielsen, PharmaAce Analytics, Pharmarack, Sidvim Lifesciences, Stryker, Sun Pharma, Sundyota Numandis, Thermofisher, Torrent Pharma, Trichem, ZS Associates and Zydus Cadila. The Students have been offered sought-after profiles in Sales, Marketing, Consulting, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Operations, Project Management & many other diverse areas.

Showcasing Top-Notch Academics

SPPSPTM uses a unique method to identify faculty based on their exposure to the practice of their specialisation and on the depth of their knowledge of pharmaceutical instrumentation, equipment, and other related technologies. Each faculty member is responsible for the quality and content of classroom and laboratory instruction and is always on the lookout for pedagogical tools

Student performing Lab Work

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to improve the teaching-learning process and assessment, whether it is with online technology, procedures, or methods. The faculty recognises students’ specific requirements and provides challenging opportunities to grow academically. As a supplement to the usual classroom education, they are encouraged to provide students with academic and career guidance and encouragement through formal and informal consultations.

Faculty are always learning at SPPSPTM. To improve their knowledge, faculty are given free access to courses offered by various platforms such as Coursera, Swayam-MOOCS, and edX.

To keep up with the latest industrial practices, faculty members are also encouraged by the university to attend summer training in the industry. Additionally, they are encouraged to participate in conferences around the country and across the globe to gain exposure to emerging technology that can be used in classroom teaching and research.

Several government institutions, such as DST and ICMR, have recognised the faculty at the national level by providing travel grants to participate in international conferences. “Our faculty are also actively involved in writing grants to the government agencies, consultancy,

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publication and patent-related activities, which add value to the faculty and the institute,” Dr Bala shares. Along the same lines, SPPSPTM faculty are collaborating with the industry on numerous research projects. They have also been working with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland, since 2017 for collaborative projects.

Promoting Young Spirited Thinking

At SPPSPTM, creativity is a key guiding force that drives the faculty and students. “We establish an atmosphere that fosters creativity, from cutting-edge teaching methods like case

studies to simulate problem statements on an industrial scale,” informs Dr Bala. Providing a conducive environment that nurtures creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship skills, and design thinking and motivates students to create start-ups and generate intellectual property is a top priority for the Institutional Innovation Council, which has been in operation since 2018. There have been numerous occasions where students have excelled and brought honour to the School by participating in events such as Innovation Idea Challenge, Saudagar (The Business Plan Competition) by IIM Udaipur, Meraki (National Level Business Plan Competition) by Fortune Institute of International Business, New Delhi, AstraZeneca Project iDEA competition; Chancellor’s Challenge by NMIMS University, Hackathons, and many others. Through their entrepreneurial efforts, students also launch their own businesses and contribute to the economy by creating new jobs.

“Our faculty and students are talented in various creative and inventive disciplines, and their achievements are displayed on our bulletin boards to inspire aspiring researchers and entrepreneurs. Interspersed throughout the academic year are numerous corporate and cultural events that allow students to demonstrate their talents on an intercollegiate and national level,” Dr Bala shares. The students at SPPSPTM participate in a range of business plan and elevator pitch competitions, honing young marketers’ creative problem-solving skills. As an institute, the school is cognizant of the changing needs of society and the need

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Electrospinning Machine in Pilot Plant

to push past the limits of conventional thinking. “We aspire to raise change-makers of the future, and that starts with encouraging their creative genius from the moment they step foot in the institute,” says Dr Bala.

To promote Pharma studies, SPPSPTM provides scholarships for deserving students. Merck Lifesciences supports the education of female students of M.Pharm + MBA program every year through a scholarship under Merck Fellowship Program. This encourages female students from weak financial background to have access to exceptional academics and a fulfilling educational experience. The GPATqualified M.Pharm students are eligible for the AICTE postgraduate scholarship scheme. The University also offers scholarships to deserving PhD scholars. The students enrolled with the school are eligible to apply for various scholarships offered by professional bodies, trusts, etc.

The Future of Pharma

Education is one of the most swiftly evolving sectors to keep pace with the changing times, although the pandemic caused a massive, unprecedented blow to all major segments. During the pandemic, most sectors, including education, used the online mode for various activities. The pharma sector is one of the significant parts of the healthcare sector, and the pandemic provided a link for bridging the gap between pharma and other healthcare sectors. The use of the hybrid mode has become inevitable in the education sector, and various skill-building activities are conducted in this mode. National Education Policy 2020 also

emphasises multidisciplinary learning, which is possible with the help of technological tools. “The future will be in integrating digital applications, various IT tools like IoT, ML and AI into pharma and healthcare sector which also will have to be part of the education and training of the current and future students” Dr Bala opines.

Due to the availability of virtual platforms, like most universities, the teaching-learning process at SPPSPTM adapted to the changing paradigms in the midst of the global pandemic. Though there was some difficulty in the practical experimentation and hands-on learning, which are integral to pharma education, they were able to create well-designed laboratory courses that could provide a bridging link between pre-existing knowledge and further learning, allowing students to gradually acquire the necessary practical acumen. In addition, other changes, such as the transition from remote learning to in-person classes, have necessitated a greater number of social interactions, which are gradually being encouraged through activities specifically designed for the purpose. Across all education sectors, there is a growing focus on students’ mental health and well-being, which has also been adopted by the pharma education sector. Efforts are being made to provide a platform for students to express their thoughts and concerns and a vibrant, comfortable environment conducive to learning. “We can now state with pride that we are all back on campus and that our progress is commendable. In fact, we are well prepared and have also acquainted ourselves with multiple digital learning modes,” shares Dr Bala.

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Are Work-like Experiences Replacing Internships?

Is It a Good Thing?

Subramanyam Reddy, Founder & CEO, KnowledgeHut upGrad

Subramanyam Reddy (Subbu) is the Founder and CEO of KnowledgeHut, the leading technology workforce development company that helps enterprises and individuals around the world move forward to the next level with the help of technology. in 2012, at the age of 28, Subbu, as he is known to everyone, started KnowledgeHut. He on-boarded 12 employees and with an initial investment of $10,000 (Rs 5 Lakh). They almost gave up after the first two months of no revenues and no more savings to invest. But then the leads started flowing in and by the end of third month, they generated revenue of around $28,000 (Rs14 Lakh). Since then, there has been no lookingback.Thecompanyhasgrownfromstrengthtostrengthandisnowexpectedto clock an Annual Revenue Run-Rate of Rs300 crore in March 2022.

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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

Work-like experiences are intensive, focused activities that simulate a working environment and require participants to deliver projects as they would in the real professional world

For a majority of working professionals, internships have been our first experience of a professional environment, our first brush with our own potential, working with peers, and gaining the allimportant real-life experience of the possibilities the future holds, and proving our mettle to the world. Internships have also been a gateway to professional networking, landing job-offers, and getting one’s merit and skills validated by the industry. The pandemic changed all of that with

hiring and internship opportunities suddenly coming to a halt for an extended time.

According to the leading job site, Glassdoor, more than half of the internship opportunities were cancelled by recruiters during 2020. A year

later, CNBC reported that only 22% of college students had been able to land internships.

The world scrambled to find alternatives to continue work, adapting to the new normal, reducing on-site work and switching to remote and hybrid models, and as the markets began recovering, a paradigm shift had occurred in the way students could gain experiences that validate their skills and get a head start in their career. This shift is work-like experiences offered by learning and skilling platforms.

What really is a work-like experience?

Simply put, work-like experiences are intensive, focused activities that simulate a working environment and require participants to deliver

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projects as they would in the real professional world. They enable a learner to demonstrate their skills and prepare for a job through practical application of the skills learned, adhering to timelines, and delivering a project. The wonderful thing about work-like experiences, is that they aren’t limited to freshers alone. Working professionals learning a new skill can also avail of them. The advantages work-like experiences have, include:

-Demonstrate the skills you have learned

-Build your professional network

-Experience a professional work environment

-Develop your CV with validated skills

-Stay ahead in a highly competitive scenario

A recent Gartner report about major work trends post Covid-19, mentions that there is a shortage of critical talent in the market. Enterprises need to address this through interventions such as upskilling and reskilling their teams and creating mobility within the organization for employees to meet the business needs while also driving organizational change.

The Right Balance

On-site internships are a great way for learners to gain a real perspective on how the real work environment functions and prepare them for their dream career, irrespective of the industry that they are interested in. Enterprises prefer candidates with demonstrated skills, so that they can hit the ground running and become productive employees, contributing to the enterprise achieving their business objectives.

During the pandemic and its aftermath, work-like experiences have filled a crucial gap for jobseekers and students alike. As internship opportunities dried up, these experiences became a way for learners The future of work depends on a workforce that hasn’t only acquired skills but is also knowledgeable in how to apply them in a real work scenario. Work-like experiences facilitate the development of skill development and providing the mentorship, interaction opportunities, and a validation of skills that helps candidates achieve their professional objectives, irrespective of the industry they choose to work in.

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A recent Gartner report about major work trends post Covid-19, mentions that there is a shortage of critical talent in the market
Higher Education Digest October 2022 Higher Education Digest October 2021

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