Higher Education Digest – December 2022 – 10 Most Influential Women Leaders in Indian Education-2022

Mrs.

MITTAL RASHMI

Dr. Jaskiran Arora, Dean of School of Management and School Economics & Commerce, BMU Ar. G. Jayalakshmi, Dean, Crescent School of Architecture Jayanthi Narayan Chairperson, Sri Venkateshwara School & College of Nursing

Srividya Reddy Gunampalli, Vice-Chairman, G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology & Science (GNITS) Founder Chairperson – School of Innovation and Management Dr. Uma Bhardwaj, Vice-Chancellor, Noida International University

KALKA TO SHIMLA RAILWAY, INDIA

Most Influential Women Leaders in Indian Education 2022

Head of Advisory Board

Dr. Manoj Varghese, Ph.D

Managing Editor Sarath Shyam

Consultant Editors

Dr. John Andrews

Anuja Mulmule

Emma James Andrew Scott Amrin Ahmed

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MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

How far have we come in implementing gender equality in our classrooms? The stats say that we are almost there. According to the latest data by the Ministry of Education, over 12.29 crore girls enrolled in primary to higher secondary in 2021-22, which is an increase of 8.19 lakh compared to the enrolment of girls in 2020-21. The gap between girls and boys is narrowing in the higher education sector, as 49% of college students are now girls.

Why are these numbers so significant for us? Let’s start with a critical analysis. Every year a girl spends in school can boost her future income by 10–20%. Equalizing access to girls’ basic education and ensuring that all students in lowincome countries left school with basic reading skills could cut extreme global poverty by as much as 12%. Investing in girls’ education is essential for the welfare of the world at large, and we need leaders who can bring effective policies that would reduce inequalities.

The Rise of Women’s Power in Higher Education

However, the job continues. Women predominate in the education sector, but their representation in leadership roles could be much higher. We need to see more women advance in their careers and reach the top positions. To bring equality in higher education leadership, it is important for us to tell the stories of women leaders who have made a difference. Their struggles and hard work inspire many who aspire to be at the top.

In this issue, we have come up with stories of such leaders featured among the 10 Most Influential Women Leaders in Indian Education-2022. On the cover, we feature Mrs. Rashmi Mittal, ProChancellor of Lovely Professional University, who perceives herself as a facilitator and guide rather than a leader in the noble cause of imparting education. She has always believed that a better society can be formed only by establishing a strong education system that focuses on the holistic development of students. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

Ex-M

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

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

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

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

Dr. Venus M. Alboruto, PhD, Master Teacher, Researcher, Innovator, Trainer.

Mamta Thakur Former CEO ( ASEAN), Arc Skills

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

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.

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

Dr. Hans A. Andrews Ed.D. Distinguished Fellow in Community College Leadership, Olney Central College, Illinois,USA

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)

Dr. Manoj Varghese, Ph.D

Senior Director - Global Partnerships, Advisory & Consulting - Connecta®, Head of Advisory BoardHigher Education Digest® & K12 Digest®, Adjunct Faculty - Assumption University, Former CIO - Athena Education, Former Global Director TechnologyGEMS Education

COVER STORY

AR.

G. JAYALAKSHMI

Dean, Crescent School of Architecture

WOMEN LEADERS

50

JAYANTHI NARAYAN Chairperson, Sri Venkateshwara School & College of Nursing

38DR JASKIRAN ARORA Dean of the School of Management and Education Quality BML Munjal University

66

74

SRIVIDYA REDDY GUNAMPALLI

Vice-Chairman, G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology & Science (GNITS)

Founder Chairperson –School of Innovation and Management

WOMEN LEADERS

DR. UMA BHARDWAJ

Vice-Chancellor, Noida International University

88

ROTNEM

Rose Mary, Principal, Orchids – The International School, Manjri, Pune

MANTRA YRTSUDNI

THE PIVOTAL ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR

Dr. Siya Seth, Chief Managing Director & Founder, Spherion Solutions Private Limited and The Brand Ventures

WORLD Muthumari S, Head of Data Science, Brillio

46 YRTSUDNI P E RSPECTIVE

DIGITAL LITERACY: THE PATH TO FUTURE CAPACITY BUILDING

Sashwati Banerjee, Founder, Top Parent

EVEN IN THE DIGITAL ERA, THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE KEYBOARDHERE’S WHY

Shivani Mehta, Co - Founder & Organiser, Daakroom

60

HOW STUDYING ABROAD CAN ENHANCE CAREER PROSPECTS

Sushma Sharma, Global Leader-Counselling Solutions, LaunchMyCareer

The Pivotal Role of Technology in the Education Sector

Dr. Siya Seth, Chief Managing Director & Founder, Spherion Solutions Private Limited and The Brand Ventures

Technology has subjugated every aspect of the social order and is now and for the foreseeable future the lifeblood of modern society.

As far as one can perceive, it will continually redevelop to meet the changing demands of society. In fact, those born in or after 1995, the iGen, cannot imagine a world without technology.

With the advent of technological advancements across industries, the education sector turns about to be the most affected. From prehistoric cave paintings to ancient India’s Gurukul system, in which students learned how to make the most of whatever technological advances which were available at the time, to today’s widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality

Internet-based classrooms with cuttingedge technological capabilities have opened up education to anyone, anywhere in the world, at any hour, or in any field of study

Dr. Siya Seth, with more than two decades under her belt, has been a driving force behind the success of Spherion Solution Private Limited and its six brand endeavors, which include Skoodos, Skoodosmart, and SkoodosBridge. She brings a plethora of cultural knowledge and business acumen to her position as the organization’s CEO. She made her debut in the educationsector,andfromthereshemovedontosuccessfullyimplementsocialsectorprojects in the areas of skill development and female empowerment with organizations like the UNDP, theWorldBank,andtheNationalSkillDevelopmentCorporation(NSDC)in19statesacrossIndia and Kenya, resulting in the professional growth and development of over 68945 youngsters.

(VR), technology has always played a pivotal role in the forefront of education.

The entire system of education has in fact been revolutionized by the use of modern technology. Internet-based classrooms with cutting-edge technological capabilities have opened up education to anyone, anywhere in the world, at any hour, or in any field of study.

In light of this, let’s examine the various ways technology has benefited the education sector. Have a glance –

● Immersive Learning: You would likely concur with us that chalkboards and textbooks are not the only means of instruction in the classroom. Today’s students yearn for a more immersive experience and are correspondingly inquisitive: What makes the moon round? What specific historical timelines are associated with Antarctic climate change? There appears to be no end to the questions that they generate.

Education Technology collaborates with teachers to develop augmented reality-based tutorials that, for instance, can virtually transport students to the moon and otherwise facilitate effortless learning.

● Gamification: Games can make the entire learning process significantly more enjoyable. They liven up the classroom and facilitate instant personification. Various Education Technology related tools today employ gamification to aid students in comprehending difficult subjects such as math. This in turn increases participation, fosters engagement and collaboration, and facilitates context-based learning.

● Accessible Long-Distance Learning: With hectic schedules and jobs, it has become difficult and essential to improve one’s skill set. Here, is where Education Technology comes into play. Virtual lessons are gradually replacing

Education Technology collaborates with teachers to develop augmented realitybased tutorials that, for instance, can virtually transport students to the moon and otherwise facilitate effortless learning

traditional lectures, making education more relevant and accessible than ever before.

Students can organize their time and study at a time of their choice. At the same time, they may also pursue subjects and courses outside the scope of their course curriculum in order to expand their knowledge.

● Personalized learning environment:

Not only are students receptive to Educational Technology, but it also fosters a positive environment for educators. According to a survey conducted, teachers enjoy and even support the use of technology in the classroom.

This is due to the fact that access to digital materials supplements existing classroom learning topics and enables teachers to implement new learning techniques on the go.

In fact, nearly 78% of educators agree that technology has had a positive impact on their classrooms and helps them reinforce the lessons better.

● Student Preferred: In addition, research has revealed that college students favour incorporating technology into the classroom. This is due to the fact that students already use computers, tablets, and smartphones at home, and they desire the same tools to interact with their instructors and fellow students.

●

A Blended Learning Ambience:

A blended learning environment is especially advantageous for education. It reduces costs for schools, provides students with unlimited access to learning materials, enables

electronic document submission online, etc. Briefly, technology in education makes learning more intelligent and convenient.

● Better Engagement: Students’ engagement and concentration are enhanced by technology. The National Math and Science Initiative demonstrated that blended learning styles increase students’ concentration and enthusiasm for learning, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines.

The Next Steps:

It’s easy to see how technology has affected education, and how it will continue to do so with each innovation, from education data platforms to online schools and everything in between.

Despite the fact that the influence of technology in the classroom is growing steadily larger, its importance remains substantial. In spite of this, it is essential to implement technology in education properly, as many conventional approaches to education should be maintained.

As an added downside, there are some scenarios in which using a computer to learn is not the best option. For this reason, it is the responsibility of educators to find a middle ground between preparing students for the future and traditional classroom teaching.

In light of this, the answer to the question, whether the education sector faces difficulties with the implementation of educational technology is an emphatic yes!

Unfortunately, however, the implementation of Educational Technology presents just as many obstacles as traditional schooling practices.

The evolution of the Indian woman from an enigmatic figure draped in metres of fabric to today’s educated, successful, and accomplished professional has not been without significant struggle. It reflects changing conditions in educational institutions. Women in educational administration are at the pinnacle of their careers, as their roles are changing dramatically worldwide. Mrs. Rashmi Mittal, Pro-Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, has always believed that a better society can be formed only by establishing a strong education system that focuses on the holistic development of students. She opines, “The social expectations are changing, and traditional gender roles are challenged. Educational spaces are the battleground for these developments and have been contributing tremendously to bring the required changes. Furthermore, this is also a key to metamorphosing the state of Indian women’s leadership. The redefined gender equality is already in place, and constructive and firm steps in this direction would bring the desired changes, which would help society grow. Women also need to nurture a more inclusive approach in their families because families are the microcosm to the macrocosm of the social order.”

A Vision of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”

As the Pro-Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, Mrs. Mittal has the opportunity to provide the Educare she believes in. In fact, as a society, we require that learning. “These days, students are highly competitive, making them prone to many physical and

With 8000+ research papers and 20000+ book chapters published in last 5 years, LPU has extensive research and innovation facilities like Central Instrumentation Facility, Innovation Studio, Space Centre, Media Studios and Labs, Agriculture Research Farms, Formulation Research Lab, etc.

mental issues. During their three to four years stay in the University, it is essential to create a learning ground for them which is not centred only on their academics but must ensure holistic development.” Mrs. Mittal frequently interacts with students and faculty members, addressing all concerns and discussing the challenges and opportunities that “new generation students and teachers” face. “These young minds are fecund, what we need is to sow the seed of Universal

progress, and we will bear the fruit in the future”, added Mrs. Mittal.

Mrs. Mittal highlights, “My role necessitates that we set a vision of “vasudhaiva kutumbakam” and global citizens in our system because its roots must run deep. My experience as a Teacher, Executive Dean and Pro-Chancellor of LPU gave me an opportunity to interact with new talents. It made me realise that sometimes we aim low as we do not gauge the students’

potential properly. If we follow the path of nourishing the dreams of these budding talents, which also is in cognisance with LPU’s motto “Dream Big”, I believe we can open new doors to the horizon and also transform our university into a world-class University.”

A Focused Facilitator

Mrs. Mittal completed her post-graduation degree in English. In her words, “During my school days, I paid equal attention to education and extra-curricular activities, be it performing on the stage or lending support at the backstage. My participation in sports and other activities boosted my confidence, made me a team player, and honed my leadership skills.”

Mrs. Mittal perceives herself as a facilitator and guide rather than a leader in the noble cause of imparting education. She is always available to LPU students and faculty members. She emphasized, “I lend them my ear when it is required and provide the remedies to their problem. I feel that my role is to spread smiles amongst my LPU family members and the reward for this work is to witness the progress of the students and the staff; when they realise their potential, it gives me a sense of extreme joy.”

Investing in Innovation & Sharpening Students’ Creativity

Mrs. Mittal consistently encourages her students to engage in creative and innovative endeavours. Under her guidance, the university provides practical training, pathway courses, an environment that values innovation, research grants, merit-based scholarships, active mentoring, opportunities to earn while you learn, assistance for aspiring entrepreneurs, etc. The

University offers numerous other opportunities in addition to the above referred support, such as scholarships, workshops for developing new skills, activities, and competitions.

Taking Positive Lessons from Adversity

Mrs. Mittal considers the “Present” the biggest teacher of her life. She believes, “More than a person, I have learnt a lot from people around me specifically in adverse situations and challenges. I have experienced the university’s diversity, and my experience shaped my character. The proverb “Straight roads do not make skilful drivers” resonates with my journey, which is also about going through the grind to learn the art of persistence and insistence.”

Mrs. Mittal never fails to learn from every challenge she faces. She says, “In the beginning, I invested too much emotionally in the tasks assigned to me. This sense of over-attachment has its own peril, which I realised a little later. This clouds your judgement and makes a person myopic. Now I try to strike a fine balance between compassion and rationality. I emphasise that we should work in the direction of providing what students deserve, not what they want.”

Keeping Abreast with Trends

The educational system is in the midst of a revolution. Mrs. Mittal stated, “Covid 19 has shaken the traditional education system,reflecting in all sectors, specifically how we envisage educational institutions. Apart from interacting with experts and educationists, formal or informal conversations with students are guiding principles to bring certain changes.” Undoubtedly, technology has altered how people

perceive education; students are well-versed in technology and serve as true ambassadors for it. Since social media is causing many changes in students’ mindsets, it is critical to identify these education-specific trends. “Moreover, the university’s vision is to bridge the gap between industry and academia, and we made it a norm to update our curricula as per the need of the industry and society. So, to keep myself updated with the latest trends, I advocate close study of the social need to stay relevant and address the issues pertinent to the common man,” added Mrs. Mittal.

A Round-the-Clock Working Life

Mrs. Mittal said, “Every day of my life is a roller-coaster which consists of meeting new people, guiding and mentoring the LPU family.” She strives to spend equal time with all divisions and departments to gain an extensive understanding of the complexities of these industries. She believes that to remain competitive in all areas, she must devote personal attention to all challenges and opportunities. Mrs. Rashmifurther stated, “Giving conscious heed to mental and physical health through regular exercise and meditation helps me stay

Focusing on overall personality development, LPU conducts many international and national level events to usher leadership, teamwork, and analytical skills in students.

calm. Keeping a check on my breath during an unpleasant scenario helps me stay composed.”

Revamping the Whole Education System

Mrs. Mittal emphasises on the importance of reforming the traditional education system, which is less student-centred. She explained, “Experiential learning is the need of the hour; teaching only theory is neither fruitful nor desired. It should be student-centric. The approaches like peer learning, flip classrooms, embedded certification etc., help take learning from the textual set-up to real-life scenarios.

One real-life exposure is better than a hundred experiments in a laboratory set-up.”

A Piece of Advice for Fledging Born Leaders

Women are naturally born leaders who stand out. They are the architects of society, weaving the complexities beneath the surface to make it appear organised on the outside. Women take on so many roles that they cannot and should not compare their careers to those of men. Women are ambitious, but they are also compassionate and engaging; leadership is about trust,

commitment, emotional bonding, and, most importantly, a shared vision of the greater good for them. Since women shape the evolution of the next generation through their social roles as mothers, wives, sisters, or daughters, women should combine traditional and modern perspectives to represent the best of both. Mrs. Mittal asserts, “Women should not undermine their social roles, which are of equal importance and help build a thriving society; without their support as a social engineer, the world would be emotionally broken and rationally unstable. Women are the reservoir of unlimited talent which is not been fully explored yet. They must come out of their shell and use their education for social welfare.”

Future Plans for Moulding Great Personas & World Class University

Mrs. Mittalemphasized with concern that “The biggest concern of mine, in recent times, is the mental health of my LPU family. The mental health of students has been deteriorating. COVID-19 added to this worry. Now students are more vulnerable to depression and other mental disorders. Creating a harmonious atmosphere, a home away from home, is essential. Students

have been struggling with many distractions and are moving towards multifarious addictions, which in turn affect their health and career adversely.” LPU organises numerous awareness campaigns, assigns personal mentors, and offers free consultations at Uni-hospital to reach a student in need before it’s too late. “Besides that, training students to make them industry ready is another aspect in which I am actively involved. It is to help them to ensure their career in their dream sector,” mentioned Mrs. Rashmi. Mrs. Mittal envisions LPU as one of the top 100 academic institutions in the world, recognised for its contributions to industry and society through excellence in teaching, learning, research, internationalisation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. She concluded by stressing “Along with that, I anticipate that LPU is recognised by its students’ accomplishments and would like students not only to possess degrees but also to own qualities of a good human being. They should bring laurels in all aspects of life and should not stand for themselves only but for society at large. Their out-of-the-box thinking, warm-heartedness and distinguished attitude toward life should define the University in the next decade,”

Importance of Data Science and AI in the Modern World

Muthumari S, Head of Data Science, Brillio

Muthumari is the Head of Data Science team at Brillio and specializes in delivering AI/ML use-cases at scale across customer/product/marketing analytics, NLP and vision analytics. In her current role, she works with CXOs to enable their organizationstomakeaccuratedata-drivendecisionsaswellassolve ambiguous problems involving unstructured text/image and machinegenerated data with tangible business impact. She was recently recognized as a 40 Under 40 Data Scientist in 2021 in India and was also identified as one of the top 10 Data Scientists in 2019, by Analytics India Magazine. This achievement recognizes her as a young leading data scientist, who has successfully transformed data into meaningful insights for the organizations and have key industry expertise.

In your opinion, what have been the most relevant breakthroughs in data science impacting our world in the last 1-2 years, and what trends do you see emerging going forward?

Scaling AI: The predictability and speed unlocked by automating the end-to-end AI/ML Product Lifecycle through ModelOps are now bridging the gap between experimentation and operationalization of AI. This shift truly drives business value at scale.

With the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in our lives, especially after the pandemic, the ethical implications of AI have received attention from various communities. In the banking and healthcare industries, there is a growing need to have tighter governance frameworks to qualify AI-led use-cases and a human-in-the-loop process to address critical pillars of responsible AI, that is, bias, privacy, and explainability.

Sustainability and Raw Materials shortage is a growing concern for multiple customers, primarily supply chain stakeholders. Supply chain processes contribute most to an organization’s indirect emissions. Data & AI can help improve supply chain operations to make them greener and more sustainable. There is much more adoption and evangelization of AI in the supply chain recently.

You have worked across diverse industries such as eCommerce, Media, Manufacturing, Logistics, High Tech. How important is it to have a sound domain knowledge of the business/industry you’re in as a data scientist, and how did you acquire it?

Domain knowledge is a primary skill for every data scientist. Starting from defining the problem formulation and OKR outcomes targeted for a use-case, it is highly critical to

Data & AI can help improve supply chain operations to make them greener and more sustainable. There is much more adoption and evangelization of AI in the supply chain recently

understand the flavor of the domain to be able to set ourselves for success. For example, Classic ML problems such as Demand sensing at SKU level for every category (Makeup, Skincare, Merchandise, Baby products, hygiene, books/ journals) could be subtly different. Feature

stores and models/algorithms applicable based on seasonality patterns also vary & domain context helps. Over a period of time, I have acquired domain knowledge through multiple trainings online, client-specific trainings and also through hands-on projects, solving some

of the industry business problems end-to-end. For manufacturing, most of my learnings have come from being inside factories, walking down floors and understanding the entire business process and data collection process end-to-end.

year with goals on what courses and topics I would like to cover, based on research, project pipeline, and my interactions with industry peers and Gartner/Forrester/Everest experts.

Building & retaining Data Science & AI talent is also on my list of challenges. While we haven’t solved this completely, two ways we have been trying to tackle it is by not compromising on the quality of talent we hire, and ensuring high quality of projects and business problems we solve for our customers. We have a great data science & AI team that brings out the best in each other. This naturally creates an excellent environment for data scientists to iterate and create world-class solutions. They also inspire junior data scientists to get groomed in the right direction.

At what point did you realise that you wanted to pursue a career in data science (data & AI), and how did you get into it?

My passion for numbers started early in life and my natural affinity to numbers and being able to draw sense out of them has enabled me to have a rich and fulfilling career doing something that I truly love. I was fortunate to get into analytics right after my engineering, and my first project was to create a macro-econometrics model for a US Software provider to quantify the impact of the recession on their product sales.

What are the top challenges you currently face as Head of Data Science at Brillio, and how do you go about tackling them?

Finding the right balance of time between expanding technical skills on disruptive technologies with building depth on key industry topics is a challenge I face. I typically start the

Over 14 years, I have worked on multiple data science & recently AI projects, slowly transitioning from analytics to data science & ML/AI. While AI at scale was still being talked about in 2016, I was a key contributor to the patent on Video Analytics – which was targeted at making sense of the humongous amount of unstructured data created by different media

Surround yourself with good, opinionated people - this has immensely helped me, as they will remind you to hold your ground irrespective of success or failure

devices and digital content. Currently, I am focused on Intelligent ML Ops and Conversational AI.

Over the years, have you encountered any barriers to your success or growth as a female leader?

I have my share of troughs and crests in my career. I have consciously tried to persevere through difficult situations and continued to work towards my goals, which I have divided into short-term goals and long-term goals, for 1 year and 5 years, respectively. I make it a point to stick to it religiously. It has always been okay for me to slow down for a short period of time. I also take a sabbatical once every few years to reset and rejuvenate, as I think my brain grows tired if I do the same project or same role for lengthy periods at a stretch.

The pandemic was a struggle, balancing schedules at home and work with those of my kids. At one point, I took a month’s break to rethink and do a root-cause analysis on why I feel exhausted, and why it felt like I was working round-the-clock. Importantly, I focused on selfcare and self-love, which was so critical back then. At times, we think everything will stagnate if we are not available for a day, and we all must let go from time-to-time, to discover that everything will eventually fall in place!

I have had a chance to work with some great leaders at Brillio. Sridhar Krishnamurthy, my manager, focuses a lot on developing teams based on situational leadership theory. I remember seeing a long document for each one of us on what we do well and what areas of our improvement. He diligently updates the record and ensures we

What are some of the traits that you admire the most amongst the leaders you’ve worked with?

Cloud ML and being able to deploy models on cloud is not an optional skill anymore. So, getting at least one cloud ML certification (AWS ML or Azure ML or GCP) is recommended

are updated regularly about it. The analysis is comprehensive and detailed, and so insightful that I sometimes wonder if he can read my mind!

I am also equally inspired by some of my team members, Indira K and Siddhant Khare, who exhibit amazing capacity for strategic thinking and innovation. They constantly challenge the status quo and push themselves and me to do better every day. This quality not just inspires me, it also inspires the entire team to build a culture of innovation.

Another interesting and uncommon quality I find in our leader, Hemakumar, is that he lives by the saying “Balance Hard Truths with Optimism”. Enduring setbacks while maintaining the ability to show others the way to go forward is a true test of a leader, and he does it with great style and delightful humor.

As one of the Global 40 under 40 Data Leaders, active speaker, and founder of the Women in Data forum; you have had an impressive career trajectory. What is the secret sauce to your success?

I do what I love, am passionate about and I truly believe in. If I don’t love it, I stop doing it. We need to be self-aware about what we truly want and what drives us that extra mile to do better every day. Eventually, as we earn more and can afford what we want and need, a big question will arise on what now/next. Even if you aren’t there yet, it is worthwhile spending a minute thinking about it. Surround yourself with good, opinionated people - this has immensely helped me, as they will remind you to hold your ground irrespective of success or failure. Hobbies to balance right brain and left brain have also helped me get clarity and pushed me to do creative problem solving rather than going by books and other leaders’ solutions.

What are some resources that you would recommend young data scientists to tap onto?

There are a lot of online courses available.

I would personally recommend self-paced learnings through Coursera or Udemy [based on specific courses].

Cloud ML and being able to deploy models on cloud is not an optional skill anymore. So, getting at least one cloud ML certification (AWS ML or Azure ML or GCP) is recommended.

Coding is another non-negotiable skill. There are a lot of materials available on standards to code in Python. Unfortunately, it is a myth that data scientists don’t need them.

Good understanding of the underlying assumptions behind an algorithm is again extremely important to understand before using the respective library. This can be focused on one problem at a time during projects, especially for beginners.

What piece of advice would you give to someone who is planning to start a career in data science?

85% of AI projects fail to deliver on their intended promises to business, mainly because data scientists fail to focus on identifying the correct problems to solve for. This is because they don’t spend enough time in assimilating the impact of the models before creating them. The other issue is value quantification, as many data scientists struggle to quantify the value generated through investments in model creations.

So, in addition to learning the technical skills, I would recommend building domain context and problem-solving mindset.

WOMEN LEADERS

Website: https://vivekalaya.org/

Location: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

About the Institute: The Vivekalaya Group of Institutions is a vibrant, safe and beautiful ecosystem of learning and aspiration which offers every student an equal opportunity to achieve academic, athletic and creative excellence.

Website: http://www.crescentschoolofarchitecture.com/

Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu

About the Institute: Crescent School of Architecture’s aspires to prepare the graduates to actively participate in the contemporary milieu, encourage and anticipate paradigm shifts, respond to change in the local, national and international communities.

Aishwarya Rao

Ar. G. Jayalakshmi Director, The Vivekalaya Group of Institutions Dean, Crescent School of Architecture

Dr. Jaskiran Arora Dean, School of Management Dean, Education Quality, BML Munjal University

Website: https://www.bmu.edu.in/

Location: Kapriwas, Haryana

About the Institute: Named after the Chairman and Founder of the Hero Group, Brijmohan Lall Munjal, BML Munjal University is engaged in creating, preserving and imparting internationally benchmarked knowledge and skills to a diverse community of students from across the world.

Jayanthi Narayan Chairperson,

Sri Venkateshwara School & College of Nursing

Website: https://www.svcnedu.org/

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

About the Institute: Not only dedicated to academic excellence affordable to students, SVCN is also successful in moulding talented and multiskilled health care professionals accepted highly by reputed hospitals from India and abroad.

Lakshmi Raman Mamta

Vice President – Administration, SP Jain School of Global Management Chief Executive Officer, Bharti Foundation

Website: https://www.spjain.org/

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

About the Institute: With campuses in the dynamic business hubs of Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore and Sydney, SP Jain is renowned for offering multi-city undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Website: https://bhartifoundation.org/

Location: Gurgaon, Haryana

About the Institute: Bharti Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises was established in 2000 with a vision “To help underprivileged children and young people of our country realize their potential”.

Saikia

Nivedita Krishna Technology & Policy Consultant, Wadhwani Institute for Technology and Policy

Website: https://witp.wfglobal.org/

Location: New Delhi, Delhi

About the Institute: WITP aims to adopt a holistic approach towards enhancing the government outcomes of existing and proposed policy measures by integrating them with relevant emerging technology applications in the most ethical manner.

Website: https://www.lpu.in/

Location: Phagwara, Punjab

About the Institute: Education at LPU is a holistic one, aimed at developing the intellectual and personal strengths of students. The LPU experience takes place both within and outside the classroom, nurturing creativity and innovation through challenging project work and participative learning..

Vice-Chairman, G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology & Science (GNITS)

Founder Chairperson –School of Innovation and Management

Website: https://www.gnits.ac.in/

Location: Hyderabad, Telangana

About the Institute: G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology Science (for Women), Hyderabad Is Committed to Imparting Quality Education and Training for Women Empowerment in the Field of “engineering and Technology” and to Satisfy Applicable Requirements.

Website: https://niu.edu.in/

Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh

About the Institute: Noida International University, through its 12 schools, is offering various multidisciplinary programs in varied streams of Engineering, Management, Law, Medical, and Social Sciences.

Rashmi Mittal

Dr. Uma Bhardwaj

Srividya Reddy Gunampalli

Pro-Chancellor, Lovely Professional University Vice-Chancellor, Noida International University

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Ar. G. Jayalakshmi

WOMEN LEADERS Dean, Crescent School of Architecture

Pioneering Development in Education through Equality and Leadership

In a world where equality is seldom achieved, there is always a need to get back and look for biases. “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation”- A strong saying that emphasises the necessity of women’s empowerment and leadership in the education fraternity. In the 21st century, women’s empowerment has not been on a consistent rise as it should have been, and more women are required in leadership roles, particularly in the Education fraternity. There is a need to create a more plausible working environment for the women workforce of the country, so they can explore more options to head over to the administrative ladder. The unending expectations, personally and professionally, always pose questions for the women in the workforce on their decisions to continue further down the road.

Ar. G. Jayalakshmi Dean, Crescent School of Architecture

Being an Administrative Head in various Institutions and Organizations has given me insights into people and time management, particularly handling the masses of young students who are dynamic and energetic

Professor and Architect G. Jayalakshmi, Dean of Crescent School of Architecture, understands the importance of bringing women to the forefront, making her an influential women leader in Indian education. As Dean of Crescent School of Architecture, her primary aim and objective are to make the Institute the most sought college of Tamil Nadu for Architectural education. With equality as her prime focus, Ar. Jayalakshmi zeros in on having empathy towards the students and keeping in mind that they are not just students, but they represent the future dreams of their families, which has been one of the thought processes to achieve this success. “Being an administrative Head in various Institutions and Organizations has given me insights into people and time management,

A good leader always aspires to build the team and take the team along on the challenging climb towards success and Ar. Jayalakshmi understands that aspiring for such leadership qualities has not been easy

particularly handling the masses of young students who are dynamic and energetic,” says Ar. Jayalakshmi.

Changing with the Times

The Education system has become diversified, and here, at this juncture, only the scenario in Architectural Education can be deliberated. “My utmost concern would be the flexibility of academic structure for the Institutes and the gap between the Academics and Practice. One cannot be practised or taught without the other,” shares Ar. Jayalakshmi. Crescent School of Architecture believes that the moral values of Architects need to be practised by the students from their foundation year to be aware of their responsibilities in their communities.

Ar. Jayalakshmi believes that the key to success is knowing how to navigate every learning curve towards progress. The right attitude towards the learnings of everyday life is the key to keeping yourself engaged with whatever you are meant to do for success. A good leader always aspires to build the team and take the team along on the challenging climb towards success and Ar. Jayalakshmi understands that aspiring for such leadership qualities has not been easy. “It has been a process which has warranted a lot of time and energy. At the same time, the process has helped hundreds of students find their inspirations and proceed with their dreams. It has been compelling to be amongst the students whose devotion and love have always made the journey worthwhile,” she shares.

The most important lesson she realised, particularly concerning successful practice, is balancing all 4- Qs of Leadership skills. Everyone who has to be successful in life must have the right mix of all 4Qs of skillsEmotional Quotient, Intelligence Quotient, Social Quotient, and Adversity Quotient. “My high IQ has helped me with various situations throughout my career, but I have always been trying to make sure that I get a handle on my SQ, which is highly necessary to keep one afloat. Staying on the learning curve has always helped me stay on my path to success,” shares Ar. Jayalakshmi.

What Sculpted her Future

During her schooling, Ar. Jayalakshmi was a very vocal and radical student. “I remember that I used to look forward to unconventional classes under the tree shades as opposed to

classes taken inside four walls of the classroom,” she shares. As a student, she was guided to develop her interests and passions towards various co-curricular and extracurricular activities. This gave Ar. Jayalakshmi the ability to discover her passion for architecture, pursue her career as a successful architect, and push the boundaries of Architectural education. Ar. Jayalakshmi always had a knack for leadership from a young age, being a football player and headed her school’s and her college teams to various cultural programs and competitions held in the state. “I have always believed that participating is more important than winning and looking backwards, those qualities have shaped me into adorning my current responsibilities,” explains Ar. Jayalakshmi.

In her college days, Ar. Jayalakshmi was inspired by the works of Ar FL Wright, which made her realise that her Architectural works can affect people’s lives on a day-to-day basis. Ar. Jayalakshmi feels she has always been blessed with the right people and at the right

time. In the field of Architecture, Education is not separate from Industrial Practice. One cannot be practised or preached without the other. “I would say that I was among the few directly guided and mentored by the Late Dr Ar Althaf Ahmed, beloved Architect & Academic Mentor of hundreds of students. Ar Althaf sir was a breathing example for that and has guided me into achieving my successful career,” Ar. Jayalakshmi explains.

Professional Excellence

Crescent School of Architecture, although being a constituent body in a renowned University, has been given flexibility and freedom to function as an Independent Unit in many aspects. The support that is given by the management for this conduct has given Ar. Jayalakshmi more space for herself as the Academic and Administrative head of CSA.

Crescent School of Architecture, a constituent school of B.S.Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology- a renowned

I have always believed that participating is more important than winning and looking backwards. Those qualities have shaped me into adorning my current responsibilities

Institution spanning over four decades of service rendered towards the Scientific and Technology community. Crescent Group of Institutions was envisioned to empower the girl’s education in the southern part of the state of Tamilnadu by our beloved Founder- Allhaj Dr B.S.Abdur Rahman, way back in the 1970s.

Being the First Indian to host the Indian banner in various Internationally renowned Construction tie-ups, it was only the next step for the management to launch an Architecture school in the B.S.Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology campus in 2010. Crescent School of Architecture was envisioned as the platform for budding architects

to be vision oriented towards changing the skyline of our Great Nation’s cities.

Crescent School of Architecture has always been given the flexibility to ensure that budding architects should be given ample stimulation to be creative and explore more options in the field. The infrastructure provided by the Management is an example of creating an Innovative External environment for students to explore creativity. The students are supported by faculty in a ratio of 1:10, which allows them to have one-on-one interaction with the faculties who navigate them towards exploring more creative solutions.

Frequent intermediate reviews with external practising architects enable the students to

Crescent

be exposed to more real-life challenges and problems, making them think and work towards innovative solutions for real-time scenarios. The students work in individual and group designs, where they brainstorm and spark creative discussions. “We believe that innovation and creativity, when the basics are in place, can be practised by the students to apply in their day-to-day exercises,” says Ar. Jayalakshmi.

Cultivating the Coming years

The most important initiative that CSA took towards achieving a better educational experience was to reframe the syllabus and curriculum structure of the B.Arch degree under the needs and necessities of the Industry and the student’s mindset towards architectural education. This was done while keeping in mind the current regulations and frameworks given by the central regulatory bodies of Architectural education. “While we were framing the syllabus for my Bachelor of Design -specialising in Interior Architecture, my years of practice in Interior oriented projects have guided me through the entire deliberations and successful conduct of the course at Crescent School of Architecture for more than the past five years,” Ar. Jayalakshmi shares.

Crescent School of Architecture is constantly heading towards pioneering cutting-edge innovations, which is an advantage to students. “We are currently working on various sensorbased installations that might revolutionise smart building techniques. CSA has also been pioneering in Design patent registration which is directly recognised by the Government of India,” explains Ar. Jayalakshmi.

School of Architecture, although being a constituent body in a renowned University, has been given flexibility and freedom to function as an Independent Unit in many aspects

Digital Literacy: The Path to Future Capacity Building

Sashwati Banerjee, Founder, Top Parent

Sashwati is a social development professional with over three decades of experience in organizational leadership, media, & communication for change. Incubated under the Entrepreneur in Residence program at Central Square Foundation, she has recently founded Nudged Trust & Humanitus Learning Solutions to provide an open-source, free mobile app to help low-income community families support their young children’s development at home. Sashwati has worked on large global projects and led award-winning campaigns to further the cause of reproductive rights and increase the basket of contraceptive choices in India. She has been a speaker at UNESCO MLE, Brookings, TED India and serves on the Boards of Point of View, Katha & Breakthrough.

In 1997, author Paul Gilster coined the term “digital literacy”. He argued that the concept of “digital literacy” -- which is often perceived as the ability to read stuff online -- is more than just the breakdown of the two words involved. According to him, digital literacy meant the cognitive ability of a person to leverage modern technologies to access information and facilities. For instance, booking tickets online, reaching out to a friend on social media, and being able to use laptop and mobile phones for several other daily life purposes make a person digitally literate. While this is a rather simplistic explanation, digital literacy is not a diminutive phrase, it encompasses so much more.

Just being able to read stuff online and send texts limits one in the “digitally naive” category.

To be digitally literate, one must know how to work with hyperlinks, audio clips, graphs, or charts. Also, a person must be able to create, collaborate, and share digital content and do so responsibly to be called a digital literate. In fact, being able to weed out fake online information by checking various online sources is also part of the digital literacy definition. Similarly, being able to distinguish between advertisement, paid content, and genuine information is also acknowledged as a characteristic of a digitally literate person.

A “digitally literate” person can confidently, critically, and creatively use ICT (information and communications technology) tools to achieve goals relating to work, employability, learning, leisure, and inclusion (or participation) in society.

A “digitally literate” person can confidently, critically, and creatively use ICT (information and communications technology) tools to achieve goals relating to work, employability, learning, leisure, and inclusion (or participation) in society

Why is digital literacy so important?

With an increased focus on the digitalisation of almost all business, delivery of social welfare schemes, and other government processes, it is pertinant for an individual to be digital literate to enjoy all facilities and opportunities. Regardless of the field of work, digital literacy allows you to expand and strengthen your presence. If you’re into sales, digital platforms allow you to connect with prospective buyers; if you’re a student, access to online education makes a big difference; and if you run a business, digitalisation reduces input cost and adds new markets. The list can go on and on.

Besides consuming online content like tweets, podcasts, videos, emails, and blogs, digital literacy is also about sifting, evaluating, and carefully applying the information available on the internet. In professional settings, we are constantly required to interact with people in digital environments, maintain a digital identity, and create new ideas and products by examining online data and trends.

Digital literacy has been found to boost student engagement while opening new learning opportunities. Interestingly, a child well-versed with technology has a better chance of performing good at STEM subjects. Furthermore, a child’s digital thinking can be encouraged by creating lessons that involve use of digital tools. There is just a significant caveat — all this should not be done under the old “one-size-fits-all” model. Personalisation and differentiation must be the key.

As a result of technological advancements, digital literacy has been accepted by many as a broader competence-related issue. According to the American Libraries Association’s Digital Literacy Task Force (2011), digital literacy is a “transversal key competence” which helps

people acquire other key competences -- like language, mathematics, learning to learn, and cultural awareness.

Digital literacy for kids

Unlike the boomers and the millennials, Gen Z has had easy access to the internet and devices like smartphones, laptops, and computer desktops since their very childhood. In some cases, babies are learning to scroll even before they utter their first word. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that this new generation is more comfortable with technology.

However, prolonged exposure to technology can hamper the all-round development of a child. Therefore, experts advise parents to limit exposure to devices, especially for young children. They are also advised to encourage their kids towards physical exercise and reading physical books. Similarly, parents should monitor the internet sites frequented by children to prevent them from going in the wrong direction. Several firewalls and child safety software help parents find out the sites where their child is spending time. Such measures also prevent cases of cyber bullying and cyber abuse -- that are on the rise across the world.

Given the presence of bad actors on several platforms, teaching fundamentals of internet safety to kids is equally important as they may not fully recognise the limitations of the web world. Also, the digital content served to kids should fit the context of delivery and provide an experience relevant to a child’s ‘real’ life.

Not to forget, the digital content should also emphasize and focus on the social emotional wellbeing of children. As per the American Academy of Pediatrics, a child in the age group of 2-5 years should not be allowed more than one hour of screen time per day. The body adds that the

content should either be educational or prosocial and the kid must be allowed to watch it with a parent or sibling.

While there is no doubt that familiarity with technology is important for kids to excel in the future, there is a need for them to be guided in the right direction. Like most things, technology can also be used for both good and bad causes. With the right push, children can easily master advanced technological skills (like coding and animation) while overhauling the pitfalls of certain addictive platforms.

How does digital literacy help in capacity building?

To succeed in this era of sophisticated technologies, digital literacy is arguably as important as basic reading, writing and numeracy skills. Let alone White Collar jobs, even Blue Collar positions call for a basic understanding of digital technologies these days. In short, a digital naive person has become unemployable. Digital literacy strengthens skills, abilities, processes and resources of individuals and companies.

Putting together a digital competent workforce -- which is as crucial for a country’s growth as its other physical infrastructure -- is known as capacity building. Priority areas where capacity building helps include -- engineering and public health, town planning, e-governance, security, finance & revenue, and others.

As technology becomes more and more ingrained in our daily life, the importance of being digitally literate is becoming increasingly apparent. Therefore, in the modern context, digital literacy has become the basis of capacity building, which is required for nations to survive, adapt, and thrive in a fast-changing world.

WOMEN LEADERS

Dr Jaskiran Arora

Dean of the School of Management and Education Quality

BML Munjal University

With a Sterling Leadership Attitude in Higher Education

The gender gap has diminished and continues to do so as the years go by. With more women joining the workforce and men picking up responsibilities that were ‘traditionally’ meant only for women, we see a change in recent times. Working women are no longer a rarity and are now accepted as an integral part of the working force. Indian organisations have experienced a steady increase in the number of women employees, and this pattern is bound to continue in the future as well. With this in mind, Dr Jaskiran Arora, the Dean of the School of Management and Education Quality, BMU, joins the list of one of the most influential women leaders in Indian education in 2022. She says, “In the education sector, the proportion of women workforce definitely better, but the glass ceilings are still a

My accessibility, accountability and ability to attract, enable, empower and retain the best and brightest talent improves the agility of not just the institute but also the generation who are learning. That’s what I inspire and aspire for

Dr Jaskiran Arora Dean, School of Management and School of Economics & Commerce, BML Munjal University

stark reality we need to work on. Change – is the greatest challenge and opportunity people face today. Change forces a company, an industry, or even an entire nation to adapt in order to survive and succeed. Women’s ascent and increased influence in previously male-dominated domains have begun a paradigm shift.”

Diversity is key. To accomplish this, Dr Jaskiran believes that we need to provide women with more opportunities that often went to men in the past; companies need to hire and promote women into sales and management positions and encourage women to be a part of the corporate and the education sector. “We need to create awareness and opportunities, provide a safe working environment, design promotion and retention policies for a more diverse and inclusive workforce,” she adds.

As the Dean of a reputed institution, Dr Jaskiran has faced all odds to get where she is today. With great leadership skills and unique philosophy, Dr Jaskiran learnt how to

be fundamentally responsible for providing academic leadership, working with students, and enabling them to become a better version of themselves. This involves curating a safe ecosystem that is an engaging and immersive ecosystem for the students to explore their limits. Dr Jaskiran’s philosophy includes student-centricity and imparting industryrelevant training. At BMU, the faculty emphasise designing an industry-relevant curriculum. They innovate and collaborate with the industry to co-create and impart knowledge that would anchor students with an understanding of not only the subject but the practical application of the subject.

Dr Jaskiran put the knowledge and best practices that she accrued over the years across some of the best institutes and working systems in the world to use in her current role as dean

Experiences enhance our spectrum of awareness and knowledge, and we tend to use that as a step towards advancing towards our goalpost. The University’s focus is on experiential learning, where the experience and expertise of each one of the faculty come into play. As a faculty herself, Dr Jaskiran has grown with BMU and at each step, as the institute has evolved, so has she. She put the knowledge and best practices that she accrued over the years across some of the best institutes and working systems in the world to use in her current role as dean. “The art of learning from our successes and more from our misses makes us more agile in the ever-growing and evolving system. Like any other sector, education has taken a quantum leap in the last few years. Our experiences and learnings come

in handy in keeping ourselves relevant, topical and ahead of the curve,” Dr Jaskiran shares.

Shaping Her Personality

With the humble approach to leadership, Dr Jaskiran says, “It’s not for me to consider myself a leader; it is for me to set an example for others to aspire to.” According to her, leadership is all about demonstrating the potential that is often reflected in how we conduct ourselves, personally and professionally. “Leaders inspire; leaders show the way, and most importantly, leaders always assume responsibility. My accessibility, accountability and ability to attract, enable, empower and retain the best and brightest talent

the agility of not just the institute but also the generation

improves

who

With the mission to excel in the dissemination of management education and empower students to face the challenges of the volatile business world, and lead them on a path of personal transformation to become global leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs with high cognitive skills and emotional quotient, BMI is determined to instil in students the ability to impact

are learning. That’s what I inspire and aspire for.” she explains.

Growing up, Dr Jaskiran wasn’t a hardworking student. Though sharp and intelligent, she used her skills and energy in everything other than academics. Her parents and teachers nudged her to put it into her studies, but she never listened. However, during her undergraduate program, Dr Jaskiran’s friends would request her to explain the complex accounting problems they could not comprehend. This challenged and pushed her to

work harder, unconsciously leading to enhanced learning agility. “I started to enjoy this journey, which ignited my spirit to know further and learn more. There never has been a looking back. From academic excellence to cracking professional exams on the first attempt, I realised that if an egg breaks from within, a new life begins, but if forced open from the outside, we get nothing but a scrambled egg!” she explains. Now, as an academic leader, she constantly endeavours to explore and create an ecosystem that excites

and enthuses the students from within. One can’t direct the students to be lifelong learners; they have to be inspired to be one.

Laudable Leadership

The vision of the School of Management is to nurture ethical, empathetic, and articulate leaders to benefit businesses and society. With the mission to excel in the dissemination of management education and empower students to face the challenges of the volatile business world, and lead them on a path of personal transformation to become global leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs with high cognitive skills and emotional quotient, BMI is determined

instil in students the ability to impact.

to

At BMU, the faculty focus on Outcomebased Education, which is based on students achieving predefined goals and outcomes based on their course

To deliver the promise, the School of Management has designed a formal course in transformational leadership named Personal Journey of Excellence. Besides the many skill courses offered in the school, this course tracks each student’s personal growth story. Starting from the Emotional Quotient and Personal Effectiveness to Networking, Workplace Ethics, Presentation, and story Telling etc., this 2 - year course in the MBA program becomes instrumental in bringing about the true transformation in the student. Similarly, to become empathic leaders, a course called- Sankalp helps the students become more sensitive to the rural challenges, leverage management knowledge and set up social enterprises to positively impact the socioeconomic situation of the villages.

Creativity and innovation are about shifting the paradigm of thoughts and vision and seeing, assessing and delivering beyond the large canvas. At BMU, the curriculum is designed to encourage

students to have a holistic perceptive and futuristic mindset. “Our learning cornerstones are based on experiential learning, the exposes the students to the real-time challenges of the workplace. A flexible academic structure and innovative instructional design and delivery allow our students to acquire inter and multidisciplinary learning and exposure,” explains Dr Jaskiran. At BMU, the faculty focus on Outcome-based Education, which is based on students achieving predefined goals and outcomes based on their

course. They believe in transforming students into innovators, thought leaders and entrepreneurs. The interventions to do so varies from teaching formal courses like Accelerating Creativity and Innovation and Bringing Ideas to Market to providing the students with an ecosystem that is thriving and promoting an entrepreneurial learning mindset. Running a fully functional incubator, and inviting entrepreneurs to talk and inspire students, are a few steps in this direction.

Looking Deeper

Being a Dean, Dr Jaskiran starts her day early, ensuring that the start of the day is a date with herself. Meditating and reminding herself of her calling in life, i.e., becoming an enabler. What follows during the day is the action - the first half is usually about students, curriculum and flowing and absorbing the buzz of the university. The second half is spent deliberating and strategising with the team and other faculty members on making learning more interesting, engaging, experiential and meaningful for the students. The drive to and back from the campus to home usually is hearing the TedX talks and gurbani on to keep her in high spirits and elements.

The education system, like all sectors, is evolving. And Dr Jaskiran believes we need to have a connectedness through an interdisciplinary approach, focusing more on experiential learning that fosters creativity, problem-solving and innovation. “If I could change one thing in our education system, it would be sensitising the teaching fraternity that education is more about reflection rather than memorising concepts,” she says. If the plant does not flower, do we question the flower, or do we try to find if the plant is getting enough sunlight, water and manure or if it is the right weather for it to bloom? Similarly, if a

student not shaping up into a positive contributor to the community, who is at fault – the student or our ecosystem? “As the creators of the ecosystem for our future leaders, I wish to provide the students with the most fertile space to grow and thrive in,” Dr Jaskiran explains.

Access to information and trends is at our fingertips in today’s digital universe. As a Head of an education institute, Dr Jaskiran keeps herself subscribed to all relevant literature from across the globe. Being an active member in the thought leadership space, reading, interacting and sharing her thoughts on various social media platforms, and publishing in peer-reviewed research journals and popular press media articles keeps her posted on peers and the educational sector.

Her Inspiration

Many say that you need a village to take care of a baby. When it comes to careers and education, it is the same. Some find it difficult to name one or two people as role models or influences in their life. Dr Jaskiran is no exception. At every stage and in every real, there have been people who have motivated and encouraged her to evolve

as a person, both personally and professionally, including her family, teachers, colleagues and friends. “Their sheer tenacity to handle the acute adversities of life, to their resilience of balancing diverse responsibilities with such ease and élan, to adapting and adopting to the ever-changing diverse and challenging professional ecosystem, that I feel more than one influence in shaping me to be the professional I am,” Dr Jaskiran shares. One imperative skill set for imparting and driving education with impact is compassion. Though not scientifically proven, one school of thought believes that women are more nurturing and compassionate. So, Dr Jaskiran believes that women bring in the way of working, which is both result-oriented and pragmatic, and at the same time, create an empathic culture and work toward the institution’s long-term success. “I would implore all the women passionate about education to go for it! To be able to make a difference to the society that we live in and to the generations yet to come, no other sector than education provides you opportunities in abundance. It is your resolve to touch lives that matter the most,” she advises.

As a Head of an education institute, Dr Jaskiran keeps herself subscribed to all relevant literature from across the globe

Even in the Digital Era, the Pen is Mightier Than the KeyboardHere’s Why

Shivani Mehta, Co - Founder & Organiser, Daakroom

Shivani Mehta (née Saran), Co-founder, Daakroom comes from the holy city of India, Allahabad or as they now call it, Prayagraj. A product design graduate from the National Institute of Design in 2015, Shivani comes with a vast experience in varied domains.

Over the years, she has worked on systems design, design thinking for rural maternal and child healthcare, and has also co-founded a sustainable stationery design company along with her husband, called bioQ.

Does a handwritten letter still have any relevance today? Amidst typed words and AI generated content, does a handwritten word hold any value?

While the kiss emoticon you send to your spouse and your mother looks exactly the same on WhatsApp, every word, when written by hand, holds special meaning to its recipient. It is written keeping only and only that one person in mind. It’s the human side of us that comes out in a penned letter.

The education system has, for long, treated letters as mere formats. We were taught to write formal and informal letters, which gave us some comfort with the medium. But the stress on using letters as a mode of communication has only been going down. It is no longer seen as a powerful tool, which it still very much is.

More so in the digital era than ever, the penned word is often more powerful than

the typed one. Sometimes because of how uncommon and personal it is, it holds even more value!

It’s really about co-existence and being able to choose the right medium at the right time. A lot of our tasks are made much faster with technology, and there is absolutely no denying that. But the medium of the handwritten word has its own significance. As our methods of communication transitioned over time and became faster and more efficient, they unfortunately could not capture emotions as effectively and uniquely as by hand. Here are some reasons why letters are relevant even today:

1. Letters stand out amidst digital clutter. They can even provide a digital detox to both the writer and recipient as we can all agree that any break from the screen is a great one!

2. They are a legacy. They last forever. Ask the elders around in your family and friends to show

More so in the digital era than ever, the penned word is often more powerful than the typed one. Sometimes because of how uncommon and personal it is, it holds even more value!

you some of their most treasured letters and watch them beam in delight!

3. They capture and preserve emotions better than any other medium of communication. The amount of attention, focus and personalisation pen and paper compel you to put are bound to result in a unique and heartfelt letter.

4. They help you identify the most important few people in your life, who you would write for. In an ocean of contacts in our smartphones, we manage to pick out our closest whom we must have addresses to!

5. They preserve your unique handwriting! While there may be thousands of fonts, every single handwriting is unique, and so is yours. Not only does your written word read what you wish to say, the unsaid expressions in every scratchedout word and hand drawn heart give a window into your soul.

6. Letters celebrate and preserve regional languages as you can easily write by hand in any language you know! Script is perhaps the most important thing to be cherished in letters because it captures nuances beautifully!

7. Letters have the power of taking you back in time. They are like time capsules that hold so many memories and stories.

8. Most importantly, they really make the receiver feel special and important! Even today, receiving a handwritten letter is extremely joyful.

Here are some opportunities when you must choose the handwritten word against the typed one:

1. A handwritten letter to a loved one, or to someone you want to express gratitude to, and so on. This indicates time that you have spent

especially for one person, much unlike an Instagram or Facebook post meant for hordes of people at one go.

2. Study notes are best written by hand. Several studies speak about note taking by hand being more effective for students compared to taking notes on their laptop. They say that while you may remember words when you type, you comprehend more when you write by hand. The cognitive functions work very differently. “Students who used longhand remembered more and had a deeper understanding of the material” says an article in The Scientific American, titled ‘A Learning Secret: Don’t Take Notes with a Laptop’.

3. Creativity and personalisation come out beautifully by hand. The imperfection of handwritten words is unparalleled. And there’s no font quite like your handwriting. Writing gives you an opportunity to present your creativity on paper and flaunt your handwriting/doodling!

It is important that conversations around letters are sparked right now, as the parents of today have at least experienced letter writing at some level, and grandparents have even more stories to share, and together they will be able to inspire the young ones with their rich experiences of letters from childhood. With time, these conversations will become tougher. And unless it starts as a wave of conversations and inspiration, giving enough people lots of reasons to write, the handwritten word will have a tough time proving its worth. The click of the keyboard, while most accessible today, holds little in front of the scratch of pen on paper as it is not just your fingers typing, but your heart as well.

WOMEN LEADERS

Jayanthi Narayan

Chairperson, Sri Venkateshwara School & College of Nursing

Jubilantly Jostling to the Top

The field of medicine has numerous opportunities and applications. The scope is endless and provides variety for those who choose the field, thus being a popular choice around the globe. Nursing is one such choice that many pursue, being the driving force behind the medical system, and making the healthcare system efficient and accessible to all. In the 150 years since Florence Nightingale developed and promoted the concept of an educated workforce of caregivers for the sick, modern nursing has reinvented itself several times as health care has advanced and changed. As a result of the nursing profession’s versatility and adaptive capacity, new career pathways for nurses have evolved, attracting a larger and more broadly talented applicant pool and leading to expanded scopes of practice and responsibilities for nurses. Nurses have been

Narayan Chairperson, Sri Venkateshwara School & College of Nursing

We want to touch people even more deeply with the power of value-added education. Prime among our plans for our future is a world-class institution in Bengaluru offering healthcare education in collaboration with likeminded universities and experts from India and Abroad

Jayanthi

an enabling force for change in health care along many dimensions.

Sri Venkateshwara School and College of Nursing (SVCN) is a trusted and established name in nursing education. Affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Bengaluru, SVCN was established by Sri Venkateshwara Education

Trust and was formed and registered under the Karnataka Govt. Act in 2003. Under the leadership of Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan, the Chairperson at Sri Venkateshwara School & College of Nursing, the institution has become a leading centre for nursing education in Karnataka. The institute is guided by the Trust President, Dr G. Narayan,

an eminent psychiatrist in Moline, Illinois, USA. Dedicated to academic excellence, SVCN provides affordable education to students. The institute is recognised by health industry leaders for preparing and training excellent and skilled nursing professionals ready to be hired. “Most nurses in developed countries are well-trained

nursing practitioners who are fully independent and are qualified to provide primary care. They are also trained to attend special care in different areas of healthcare delivery. I am confident that the same trend will soon be practised in the rest of the world, including India,” Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan shares.

Striving to be the Best

Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan fought all odds to complete her Master’s degree, despite the struggles of living in a joint family with a traditional perspective on life. With her husband by her side, Ms Jayathi has excelled as an administrator and guided the college to new heights. She is a visionary leader, heading

SVCN’s vibrant and growing nursing programs. Today, her confidence and clarity on responsibility has grown as a reputed academic leader.

Healthcare education has undergone tremendous change during the past few years. The nurse’s profession today is very challenging, and it is the right time for young students to rise to this challenge. After four decades

Our students are mentored to meet global needs. We have commendable achievements in academia and sports, cultural, and other extracurricular activities. A happy, wholesome individual makes for a world-class professional

of international exposure, Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan took up the mantle of educating and training young minds to become nursing professionals. “Today, I am proud that our Alumni occupy coveted positions in reputed healthcare organisations all over the world, and that speaks volumes about the college and its success. With my years of experience in administering nursing education, our students are mentored with the aim of global nursing needs from SVCN,” she shares. SVCN nursing institution identified by university as a super excellent college with maintaining Ethical values, quality standards and academic honesty. “Exams are conducted here with highest integrity, honesty. We are proud to share our Nursing exams results

are 99%, majority are in distinction,” claims Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan.

As an ever-changing field, there is a need for faculty to stay updated on the latest innovations. Through Collaborative Advanced Learning, Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan has kept herself abreast with the changing times. Innovative educational technology trends have made it possible for everyone to stay connected. Learning outside the classroom, Environment, and Social media plays a major role in trends education. With Data management and analytics, Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan shares that it has helped keep her and her team updated and relevant. “Nurses have increased their work scope; however, the roles and responsibilities have multiplied while concerns are still purging in the development of nursing, with regards to

human individuals, selection and recruitment, placement according to specialisation, pre-service, in-service training, and human resource issues for their career progression. The roles of nurses have been evolving and changing, while nurses are gaining impeccable skills for health assessment for providing active support to patients and families. Enhancement of quality raises with lower cost and improves access to world-class healthcare the society,” she explains.

Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan guides the institute through the strong teaching faculty at SVCN. The highly qualified and well-experienced lecturers add depth to students learning both in and outside the classroom and help them understand and evolve better as nursing scholars. SVCN’s objective is to prepare competent professional nurses capable of working in various healthcare sectors, demonstrating moral integrity in nursing care. At SVCN, the management works towards instilling leadership qualities in implementing nursing care at various levels. “Our students are mentored to meet global needs. We have commendable achievements in academia and sports, cultural, and other extracurricular activities. A happy, wholesome individual makes for a world-class professional,” shares Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan.

Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan understands that women in leadership roles are limited in India due to Social- cultural constraints, rigid social and traditional norms and expectations prioritising family over career. For a decade, circumstances & roles for women leaders have been more favourable. Women are moving to higher positions and command lines. But it is not so easy as there is still some friction when it comes to Women’s Leadership as it is in a nascent stage and Competition is high.

SVCN has become a reputed name in the field of nursing education and is determined to grow further and consolidate its leadership position in this field

Talking about her daily routine, Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan says, “My day starts in early morning with prayer, exercise, walking. Beautiful garden and pets are my stress busters in daily life. Talking to My Daughter Priya and granddaughter baby SIHI will divert my pressure to calmness.” She maintains a very beautiful garden in the college campus. “All kind of flowers, fruits, nuts, Ayurveda plants are planted in our college garden. Fragrance, nature beauty also makes our mind peaceful. Four pet dogs and 5 cats are maintained, unconditional love of pets makes my life more joyful. Beautiful cottages were built to pets,” adds Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan.

Broadening the

Scope of

Nursing

Nursing Education requires advanced skill development training planning to develop essential competencies in cultural diversity, communication technology, teamwork and collaboration, safety, quality, and evidence-based practice. SVCN has become a reputed name in the field of nursing education and is determined to grow further and consolidate its leadership position in this field. “We want to touch people even more deeply with the power of value-added education. Prime among our plans for our future is a world-class institution in Bengaluru offering healthcare education in collaboration with like-minded universities and experts from India and Abroad,” shares Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan.

Sri Venkateshwara School & College of Nursing plans to open 200 bedded hospitals is our immediate plans of Sri Venkateshwara School & College of Nursing. “We need to establish the Medical industry along with nursing education with a dream of providing world-class care treatment at an affordable price which reaches common individuals,” concludes Mrs. Jayanthi Narayan.

WOMEN LEADERS

Srividya Reddy Gunampalli

Vice-Chairman,

G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology & Science (GNITS)

Founder Chairperson – School of Innovation and Management

Empowering Women through Quality Education

Women’s empowerment through quality education is critical to expanding women’s ability to pursue fruitful careers, make strategic life choices, and attain necessary resources. Srividya Reddy Gunampalli, Vice-chairman, G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology & Science (GNITS), plays an influential role in this sector.

As the Vice-chairperson, her initial and foremost responsibility is to uphold the institute’s values and continue the legacy of providing a productive and healthy environment for the female students on campus. Being a proud alumnus of the institution and intricately involved with the system on both sides gives her that extra edge as a critical stakeholder in revolutionizing the education domain for women. “Being a student of GNITS helped me understand better the direction in which I will have to spearhead the institution,” says Srividya Reddy Gunampalli. A mother of two, she tells us how her children are a great source of inspiration and energy.

Srividya Reddy Gunampalli Vice-Chairman, G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology & Science (GNITS) Founder Chairperson –School of Innovation and Management

We are witnessing rapid growth in terms of women in the workforce in the Education sector. At our campus on GNITS, female employees constitute 60% of the workforce in teaching and non-teaching roles

Incepted in 1977, the prestigious institution was established by her grandfather, a visionary leader, G Pulla Reddy Garu. The institution was founded with the vision to become a center of quality education for women’s empowerment. In the past 25 years of establishment, the entire team at GNITS has strived hard to uphold the values with which the institution was built and has witnessed tens of thousands of women engineers graduate and take a leap in their careers. “We are witnessing rapid growth in terms of women in the

workforce in the Education sector. At our campus on GNITS, female employees constitute 60% of the workforce in teaching and non-teaching roles. This is one such sector where women can enjoy flexible work culture and attain their goals,” reveals Srividya.

Keeping up with a Continually Evolving Industry

In a continually evolving industry, the key stakeholders regularly conduct board meetings to better understand the institute’s status and the industry’s requirements. The board consists of academicians and industry veterans of high repute that assist the institute in designing/re-designing courses ensuring relevance and usefulness are maintained. This year, GNITS has launched new courses in B.Tech. in new-age specializations like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science among others. The professors at GNITS are extremely engaged in Research and Development and are currently undertaking

research projects, especially in Health-Tech, and Deep Tech under initiatives of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. Sri Vidya remarks that “Hyderabad is an emerging destination for Innovation and Research. The location of GNITS is strategic in such a way we are surrounded by major Tech players, Incubators, and Research centers. Over time, the Research community of GNITS has been deepening their relationships with these players and this has been benefitting the student community as well.”

Moreover, she surrounds herself with prominent academicians and colleagues in this

space. She has meaningful conversations as frequently as possible to ponder how education in today’s world is transpiring and what news can be brought in to keep the students updated and ready to face the rest of the world. “We ensure we keep close track of the developments in Academia and Industry to equip the students with employability skills. With the same vision, we have associated with TASK – Telangana Academy of Skills and Knowledge. We have brought Tech giants such as Amazon, Adobe, Flipkart, ServiceNow, Twilio, and Microsoft to our campus and we are committed to working with these major players to

Making a mark in the industry on behalf of women has spirited the passion for starting higher education courses for women, specifically in management. It has thus given rise to the School of Innovation and Management (SoIM)

enhance the R&D and innovation capabilities in our Institution. We are the first in the country to have established the Apple Center of Excellence.”

She also draws inspiration from her uncle and confidante, P Subbha Reddy Garu. One of her strongest influencers, he is the current Chairman of GNITS and other institutes under the society, which has taught Srividya a lot about how to effectively manage financials, teams, and systems. “His strong demeanour inspires our entire team and me, and his passion for work drives the system smoothly. Also, I must mention the various academic heads of the institutions under the society who have always worked very hard in building the institutions and bringing them to

this stage. Every person we stumble upon teaches something to us,” adds Srividya.

Delivering Quality Education

Another critical factor in ensuring quality education delivery is taking into account student feedback. Srividya strongly believes in this approach and positively receives constructive feedback from her students. This helps her understand what needs to be offered differently for these students to gain leverage over others and set them apart at their workplaces as well. “It was embarrassing and frustrating for me at times to spend so much time learning the basics of handling educational institutions. I used to feel that I would

use the same time in a better way to do bigger things. Reflecting on that, I am glad today that I took time to learn everything from scratch, as I got to learn all the aspects of work at all levels,” reveals Srividya.

Making a mark in the industry on behalf of women has spirited the passion for starting higher education courses for women, specifically in management. Today, only about 17% of the boardroom seats in India are occupied by women. It is essential to have women in managerial and leadership roles. It has thus given rise to the School of Innovation and Management (SoIM). “We plan to take ahead the vision of GNITS through SoIM and notch up the game by offering robust and

Innovation in education is encouraged as a medium and facilitator to explore, conduct research, and make learning engaging while discovering something new. Keeping this in mind, innovation is being taught as a compulsory creditbased subject in GNITS and SoIM

cutting-edge courses for women in management,” informs Srividya.

She tells us that her aspirations while building SoIM were to create and provide a positive space for young women professionals who have a zeal to make it big in the management field. She aims to help her students to realize what they aspire for. Ultimately, every educationist hopes to achieve that by setting up an institution that will

provide students with all the necessary resources to build their careers.

Innovation is Key Innovation in education is encouraged as a medium and facilitator to explore, conduct research, and make learning engaging while discovering something new. Keeping this in mind, innovation is being taught as a compulsory credit-based

subject in GNITS and SoIM. GNITS is a warehouse of innovative ideas where the students, in tandem with their professors, keep researching to build something new for society. Also, the institution boasts of an incubation cell. The team works closely with students to brainstorm and nurture their ideas to bring out successful startups that add value to society. In conjunction with this, the institution also takes pride in its accelerator on campus, MiraiNXT, which does interactive programs for students to participate in and learn about the various trends in the industry, using which they can establish their own companies. The accelerator also hosts a few startups on campus, and the students have direct access to interact with them and understand the nuances of running a business.

Taking this to the next step, GNITS has recently been shortlisted by NITI Aayog to establish an Atal Incubation center. “We are creating an ecosystem within GNITS to nurture Research and Innovation

among the faculty and the students and take it to not just prototyping but to launch the startup as well through the AIC and the Incubation department of GNITS,” Srividya.

Reshaping the Education Landscape

Through the next few years, Srividya envisions continuing to uplift and positively impact women through education. The team is working to build a rigorous curriculum that sets GNITS courses apart from the rest of the industry. The team is also working towards forging meaningful partnerships with the industry where students can learn more from industry experts and work on projects while studying. GNITS is committed to building a collaborative approach in the education ecosystem and has been partnering with international universities to bring their expertise to the table. As a part of that, the institution has already onboarded a few notable international faculty on their advisory board for SoIM. Srividya concludes, “Now that we have launched SoIM, we are working towards a fascinating project which may surface a few years later. This will help us support the students by providing them with a one-stop place for their educational needs and a welcoming place to learn and grow as professionals. Will reveal the details eventually.”

How Studying Abroad Can Enhance Career Prospects

Sushma Sharma, Global Leader-Counselling Solutions, LaunchMyCareer

Sushma is an innovator, passionate educator, and thought leader in educational technology. She has more than 18 years of experience in school education in terms of academic profiles from being a teacher, leader, Principal, and directorofacademicsintheleadingeducationalinstitutionslikeShri RamGlobalSchool,PresidiumGroupofSchools&AhlconInternational School. She has won several awards for her contribution to education such as ISA (International School Award), Principal by British Council, Sports Excellence Award from The Indian High School, Dubai.She has also been a certified and impaneled facilitator with British Council. Sushma is an honorary Chairperson for Charitarth-Theatre in education.

In this highly competitive world where new avenues are being created every day, it is imperative to stay one step ahead of the crowd. The only way you can do so is to arm yourself with tools that can make you indispensable. Perhaps the only tool one needs is education; proper education that imparts upon you the skills, knowledge and practical training to make you ready for the ever-evolving world.

Human rights activist Malcolm X has aptly said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”. The fact that education is a means of growth and prosperity has been firmly established long ago, and it is no wonder that parents are increasingly spending more on their children’s education. With a rising population and dwindling jobs,

studying abroad is increasingly being chosen as a reliable option to enhance the resume of students with education that has both quality and value. According to a report by the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an estimated 11 lakh Indian students are studying in over 99 countries worldwide.

Studying overseas - plain hype or a valueaddition to one’s portfolio?

Before exploring how a foreign education enhances career prospects, it is fruitful to understand what studying abroad confers upon the student. There are numerous countries where Indian students are pursuing higher education, the most in-demand being the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. There are a few unparalleled advantages that students studying in foreign countries gain.

With a rising population and dwindling jobs, studying abroad is increasingly being chosen as a reliable option to enhance the resume of students with education that has both quality and value

Universities abroad mostly entertain faculty with a progressive mindset, who are willing to experiment with new ideas and thoughts and encourage students to articulate their ideas and vision

Flexibility and diversity of learning: The ability to select from a wide range of courses along with the option to ‘mix and match’ gives students the flexibility to learn what they desire, resulting in better knowledge and application of the learning.

Global cohort of students for exchange of ideas: A global cohort of students with whom students get to rub shoulders daily, whether it

be the hostel, the dining hall or the playground, ensure that they are never short of ideas having heard and learnt from people across the globe.

Inclusive community of educators: Universities abroad mostly entertain faculty with a progressive mindset, who are willing to experiment with new ideas and thoughts and encourage students to articulate their ideas and vision. The community of educators, students,

and staff look for fresh perspectives, no matter how unusual or disruptive they may be.

Excellent infrastructure and research facility: The resources available with most foreign institutions enable them to establish impeccable infrastructure and facilities which parallels that of any research corporation, thereby offering a conducive ecosystem where students can strive towards excellence.

Industry partnerships: The greatest advantage of studying abroad is the collaboration between industries and universities. In most countries, colleges and industries form strategic partnerships to improve the effectiveness of education and extend support to students. These partnerships ensure that often the first line of research and ideation happens at the university and the funding of projects by the industry ensures that students are paid stipends and the work done is equivalent to that at the corporate level. This way, students attain greater exposure and gain practical knowledge as well.

How can foreign education enhance a career journey?

Besides the name of the college and the universal acceptance of an overseas qualification, studying abroad also confers on the recipient several unique features which go a long way in enhancing career prospects, thereby ensuring a profitable proposition for the student.

Placement cells: The availability of internships and subsequent placements with the help of placement cells at the colleges ensure that all students have access to the best of corporates with good pay packages. The college alumni who are working at senior levels in various corporates, pitch in with providing internships and jobs for passing-out students.

Access to global companies: Most countries abroad have the presence of multinational corporates with offices located in business parks. The easy access to such companies is a blessing

for many and the chance to work there can be a life-changing event.

Opportunity to work in niche areas: Studying abroad empowers students with not only technical knowledge but also the opportunity to work, assist and be part of research teams that are working on projects that seem unattainable for students in India, for instance, space technology at NASA, or a team of medical experts developing the cure for HIV. Multi-domain projects where professionals from medical, engineering, computer science, etc work together are the norm there and the facility to learn from cross-dimensional teams becomes a reality.

Chances of placement in India at a leadership level: Once a student is wellsettled in a job and has understood the corporate philosophy, it is likely that they are given the option of relocation to their home country at a senior position. This is because they are familiar with local customs, traditions, the likes and dislikes, and thus may be able to bring greater acceptance of the company’s products and services to the local population, while handling local issues simultaneously. Chances are that an individual may be appointed as the head of a division of a global conglomerate with offices in the Asia Pacific region, with an option to work out of Singapore, Dubai, or even Mumbai.

Networking at a global level: An overseas education allows a student to network with global counterparts. This exposure brings with it an enriching experience that encapsulates learning about global cultures, diverse corporate norms, and how to adjust with a multicultural community. The networking and knowledge gained over the years enables many students to start their entrepreneurial ventures at an international level.

Studying abroad isn’t only a dream for a grade 12 student or a fresh graduate. In today’s time, many corporate employees are also looking to upskill via courses like executive MBA overseas or an intensive 6 week diploma course to learn about the latest management and entrepreneurial tools. Studying abroad is a reality that cannot be ignored. The benefits it brings are immense and the most important one being that it enhances the employability of

individual.

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Once a student is well-settled in a job and has understood the corporate philosophy, it is likely that they are given the option of relocation to their home country at a senior position

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WOMEN LEADERS

Dr. Uma Bhardwaj

Vice-Chancellor, Noida International University

Creating New Paths Leading to Educational Innovation, Research, & Incubation

Dr. Uma Bhardwaj, Vice-Chancellor at Noida International University (NIU), is an awardwinning, seasoned professional in the education sector known for her pioneering ideas and studentcentric approach. Dr. Uma has published numerous research manuscripts in high-impact factor journals like “Nature” and has multiple patents and books of international repute to her credit. She is a member of IQAC Cell, Academic Council and Executive Council of many Universities.

Dr. Uma is regularly invited as a guest speaker at various national and international conferences. She is a travel enthusiast by heart and has visited over 25 countries across the globe.

My focus is on developing a novel model that would help the university maximise global engagement, which will play a major role in building NIU’s international partnerships and expanding our presence on the global educational landscape

Dr. Uma Bhardwaj Vice-Chancellor, Noida International University

A Strong Value-based Upbringing

Dr. Uma did her schooling at Carmel Convent School, Gwalior and completed her M.Sc. from KRG College, Gwalior, PhD from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidalya, Indore, and MBA from MDU Rohtak. She was an academically bright, curious, and disciplined student throughout her education in school and university. She was always focused on her career, and the goals set the moment she stepped into post-graduation.

“In my childhood, I had great support from my mother and father, who taught me how one can be successful in life if one remains punctual, sincere, committed and focused, which is the key to success in achieving the set goals in life,” shares Dr. Uma. Staying true to her values, ethics, and professionalism, she has and continues to excel in all her leadership roles and scale new heights of success.

Bringing Experience & Wisdom to the Leadership Role

Having spent over 25 years in teaching and research, Dr. Uma has

At NIU, innovation in classroom learning encompasses a variety of instructional strategies aimed at increasing student engagement, developing creativity, encouraging collaboration, and deepening understanding through realworld issues.

understood the nuances of the education sector and figured out the nitty-gritty of driving an institution towards success. Moreover, her five years of experience in the corporate sector, amalgamated with 25 long years as an academician, helped her understand the need to create industry linkages to academia for innovative research clusters, strengthen the academic system, and streamline the administration.

Before joining NIU, Dr. Uma served as the Vice-Chancellor of MVG University and Mody University of Science and Technology. “During my tenure at these institutions, I learned that a strengthened academic system and effective administration helps steer an institution forward,” asserts Dr. Uma.

Noida International University

The Noida International University (NIU) is a UGC-recognised university sponsored by the Maruti Educational Trust. The motto of NIU is ‘to shape pre-eminent leaders for the 21st century through a research-driven education system’.

In addition, NIU is focused on inculcating the highest level of integrity, strong character, and commitment to nation-building to serve mankind through providing quality education and healthcare services to society. “Our vision is to be a global centre of learning, innovation, professionalism, and academic excellence

tempered with values and ethics,” states NIU’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Uma.

Putting on New Wings & Soaring High

In February 2022, Dr. Uma took over the vicechancellorship at NIU. In her current role, her foremost priority is to explore and create new paths leading to educational innovation, research, and incubation. All these elements contribute to producing skilled professionals responsible for creating a better future for national and international students.

“My focus is on developing a novel model that would help the university maximise global engagement, which will play a major role in building NIU’s international partnerships and expanding our presence on the global

educational landscape,” reveals Dr. Uma. Since NIU believes in students’ overall development, a major emphasis will also be given to organising sports, personality development, and confidence-building activities.

Fostering Innovation & Creativity Among Learners

At NIU, innovation in classroom learning encompasses a variety of instructional strategies aimed at increasing student engagement, developing creativity, encouraging collaboration, and deepening understanding through real-world issues.

“We have industry tie-ups to make our students work-ready the moment they pass out of here,” mentions Dr. Uma. For instance, NIU

recently entered a partnership with Ola, and its team visited the campus to give students an idea of how the Electric Vehicle (EV) market is offering a lot of scope in research and jobs.

Prestigious Awards & Recognition

Dr. Uma has been honoured with multiple awards and accolades over the years. To name a few: “Late Shri Ram Krishna Pandey Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award” 2022, India’s Most Impactful Vice Chancellor by Daily Indian Media during the Edustar Leadership awards 2022, the Best Citizen of India Award 2019, Bharat Jyoti Award 2018, and the 3rd CMAI CCI Technology Education Excellence Award, July 2016, honoured by his excellency Governor of Gujarat and the high commissioners and ambassadors of eight countries.

Since NIU believes in students’ overall development, a major emphasis will also be given to organising sports, personality development, and confidencebuilding activities

Keeping Up with the Latest Trends in Education

As an experienced academic administrator, Dr. Uma keeps up with the new educational trends through print and digital media. She also remains associated with all the apex bodies and actively participates in the upcoming educational forums.

Personal Role Model & Mentor

Dr. Uma’s role model was her father. Later in life, after marriage, her husband, Dr. Ravindra Bhardwaj, became her mentor, who channelled her in the right direction to achieve her goals in the profession she is today.

A Day in the Life of an Edu Leader

Dr. Uma’s typical day at NIU involves connecting with the top management and leadership along with the academicians to talk about challenges and new opportunities. She has a disciplined approach towards life and feels that if you lead an active lifestyle, then you can give your 100%. Her mantra

for staying calm and mindful is interacting with her exuberant students and practising meditation regularly.

Reforms Needed in the Education System

Regarding modifying the current education system, Dr. Uma would like to change how students are assessed based on the traditional pattern that the existing educational system has followed for many years. She further regards NEP 2020 as the new guiding light that will provide a holistic approach towards assessing students based on aptitude and not merely academics. Moreover, she supports the Education 4.0 India report, highlighting the solution to strengthen the digital infrastructure for learning in India.

Thoughts on Women’s Leadership Development

According to Dr. Uma, India is witnessing more women in leadership roles as the level of education has improved significantly in the

Dr. Uma and her team are implementing the National Education Policy 2020 in NIU’s curriculum to ensure continual learning. They are also putting efforts towards acquiring accreditations such as NAAC, NBA, NIRF, QS Ranking, etc., as they help an educational institution to meet and maintain their high standards and, at the same time, work as a catalyst which results in increased public trust and confidence

past decade. However, boardroom diversity is progressing at a snail’s pace. Therefore, she feels gender sensitisation and inclusion are required at multiple levels to include more women on boards and as part of business leadership. She further recommends that women leaders be more assertive and convinced about their abilities to climb up the leadership ladder.

Ongoing Projects

Dr. Uma and her team are implementing the National Education Policy 2020 in NIU’s

curriculum to ensure continual learning. They are also putting efforts towards acquiring accreditations such as NAAC, NBA, NIRF, QS Ranking, etc., as they help an educational institution to meet and maintain their high standards and, at the same time, work as a catalyst which results in increased public trust and confidence. Likewise, Dr. Uma and her team have plans to establish an incubation centre along with NIU Hub and spoke model for certain academic and research facilities.

Are overprotective parents playing a role in children’s social awkwardness?

Rose Mary, Principal, Orchids – The International School, Manjri, Pune

Rose Mary is a Dynamic leader, reflective practitioner and a motivator. Passionate to be in the Education Industry with a panoramic experience of about 19 years. She has two Master degrees, M.A in English and M.A in Public Administration. She has the privilege of knowing a foreign language too. She has learnt French language from Alliance Franchise, Delhi. She is a graduate of Jesus and Mary College, Delhi. To enhance her educational skills and to have an edge she has a B.ED degree as well. Worked in India and abroad. In India she worked in various branches of Delhi Public School and abroad she worked in Malaysia and Ministry of Education, Maldives. She has won Awards and Laurels for the excellence in service. Also worked in Denvarsity as Chief Operating Officer (COO). With deep rooted commitment to education, she believes to inspire her students and teachers through motivational and inspirational workshops.

A child that is not allowed to take risks or make his or her own choices is bound to face a lot of anxiety and trouble when having to face the harsh realities of a chaotic world

Nowadays, the school has become the first stepping stone in the life of a child, wherein he/she learns a lot more than just rote learning. Developing hobbies, refining them, learning basic etiquette, getting skilled at multi-tasking, and developing social skills are some of the many things that a school equips a child with.

Speaking about the role of overprotective parents in students' social awkwardness, as the word suggests, there is an immediate negative connotation by the prefix "over". It implies that protectiveness is exaggerated, and anything overdone can have adverse effects. Overprotective or helicopter parents want to ensure that their children will not be physically or emotionally hurt. They want to protect their children from harm, pain,

unhappiness, negative experiences, rejection, failure, and disappointments.

As for the effect of overprotection on the well-being of the child, studies have shown that overprotective parenting can lead to risk aversion, a dependency on the parents, a higher risk of psychological disorders, and a lack of strong coping mechanisms, and chronic anxiety. A child that is not allowed to take risks or make his or her own choices is bound to face a lot of anxiety and trouble when having to face the harsh realities of a chaotic world.

That's why they often build a golden cage for their children; it keeps them safe from harm, but it is a cage nonetheless. As a result, later on in adulthood, these children may be reluctant to spread their wings and fly. When

Success lies in having a process that encourages parents to guide their child through a problem at school in a supportive way, without reacting or going into anguish themselves

these children become adults, they still have to face the "cruel world" but lack the life skills to effectively do so, because they were kept within a glass bowl all along.

Following are the challenges for teachers dealing with social awkward student's parents:-

● Pouncing on a teacher seemingly from the moment an assignment is given.

● Micro-analyzing every grade that goes home.

● Looking constantly for signs of progress or struggle.

● Showing far more concern about the student’s work than the student does.

● How a parent responds to a child having interpersonal issues is vital to the child's success in overcoming them, and how the child continues to relate to others moving forward.

Here are some ways to manage your overprotective parents:

● Pre-frame parents in parent talks with tips for navigating interpersonal situations that children may face. The great thing is that when you hold parent talks, overprotective parents usually turn up.

● Tell parents to resist the temptation to rescue their children from every bad thing that happens

to them. That isn't remotely close to how the world works and could disable their child in the long run.

● Parents need to know that there is often more to the story. This is especially true if the account is given at night when things tend to become distorted.

● Encourage parents to have a moderate response, as opposed to underreacting or overreacting, when their child comes to them with an issue. They also need to refrain from projecting their own feelings onto their child.

● As a school, the model for your parents the use of specific and accurate language to describe interpersonal dynamics. For example, instead of allowing the phrase, 'the child is violent' or 'is a bully, it is better to say the child displayed aggressive or bullying behaviour.

It can be difficult to manage overprotective parents in order to help the child. Success lies in having a process that encourages parents to guide their child through a problem at school in a supportive way, without reacting or going into anguish themselves. Rather than attempt to spare the child from suffering, encourage parents to trust that what has emerged could contain important learning and to support the school’s efforts so that we are all working together.