Beforeyoustartflippingthroughthepagesofthis magazine,Iwantyoutoaskyourselvesone question, 'What inspires you or humans?' Thevery firstthoughtthatyouthinkofasyourinspirationis probablyyourgoals,dreams,orsomethingthatkeepsyou motivatedtoclimbthestairwaytosuccess.
Itisnotwrongwhatapersonthinks,butduringthe hardships,lows,anduncertaintimes,itisnotathingbutthe storyofadmirationthathelpsuskeepmoving.Manystories haveinfluencedmillionsofpeoplearoundtheworldto workandexcelintheirdesiredfields.
Thoughthewiseofthelong-forgottenworldemphasisedon thestoriesofheroesandgods,therealinspirationthat
drovethechangecamefromtheoutercircles.Whenthe worldwasfocusingonrightsandwrongs,womenincepted theconceptofequalityintotheyoungergeneration'sminds, whichlaidthefoundationofthecurrenttrendwaveof 'Global Village'
Livinginthemostpeacefuleraofhumankind,thinkingand talkingaboutwarscanbealittletiltinginfavourofan ideology.However,whenthemenwerebusyfightingwars, itwasthewomenwhofacedthehorrorsofitsilently.But beingtheresilientpersonalitythatawomanis,sherealised thateducationisthekeytoapeacefulworldthroughthe agesofsuppression,whicheventheleaderswhostartedand thecorporateswhofueledthewarspromised.
Unlikeotherpartsoftheworld,Indiahadadifferentstory portrayed.Indiawasfightingtwowars,theIndianWarof IndependenceandtheWorldWar,alongsidetheBritishers. InspiredbythelikesofRajamataJijabaiShahjiBhosleand RaniLakshibai,womeninIndia,ratherthanfightingwars, decidedtouproottheproblemsbytoolgiventousby Britishers-education.
Today,Indiaisacountrywherewomendrivethecountry's untappedeconomicpotential;itisalsoaplacewherepeople haveconsideredwomenastrongfootholdfordevelopment throughhistory,mythology,andbeliefs.Supposeanyoneis tobecreditedforthequalityeducationinIndia,inthatcase, itshouldbewomen,astheirstoriesinspirednotonly womenbutalsomentoeducateandcontributetothe changingdynamicsoftheIndianeducationsystem.
Indiahasalwayshadaculturetonameitsuniversitieswith prominent,inspiringandadmiringpersonalities.Thecityof Pune,alsoknownastheOxfordoftheEast,hasnamedone ofthemostprestigiousuniversitiesinthecountryafter SavatribaiPhule.Itisnotacoincidencethattheeducational hubofthecountryhasawomen'sprefix;moreover,itwould besurprisingifitdidn't.Shehasbeenaninspirationfor
manywomen,andsheisthereasonwhywomeninIndia todayaregettingequaleducationalopportunitiesasmen.
Withtimemanyprominentnamescameforwardtoenhance andpromotetheimportanceofeducationtothemasses. Thoughtherehavebeenmenthatinfluencesociety,the influenceofwomenhasbeensophenomenalthattheir legacyisstillinspiringtheyouthandattractingthemasses toeducation.
The Knowledge Review magazine,withasimilarvisionto findTheMostAdmiredWomeninEducationalSector forIndia,2022,cameupwiththisbookletcarefullycurated withthestoriesofsomeofthefinestwomeneducatorsin India,transformingtheeducationsectorforgood.
Inthisedition,youwillfindthearticlesthatindicatethe significanceofwomenintheIndianeducationsystemand storiesfromthisnewageofprominentwomeneducators likeMs.ManishaGupta Thiseditionisreleasedasa tribute,thankingallthewomeneducatorsinIndiawhoare admiredandinspiringmillionsinthefieldofeducation, bothasstudentsandteachers.
How the Bangle
Women: The Backbone of Today's Education System
Raising
Name of the Institute
Aiswarya Sivanesh
CEO
Assistant Professor
Ms. Madhavi Dharankar
Associate Professor
Ms. Manisha Gupta Promoter
Ms. Meenakshi Ramesh Director
Vice Chairman
Mrs. Aruna Katara President
Founder President and Trustee
TANGO
Academy of India
K.R. Mangalam World School, Greater Kailash
Aiswarya Sivanesh in an exceptional educator who founded TANGO Academy to help stuednts realie and explore their potential.
Dr. Joyti Gupta heads the K R Mangalam World Schook with pride as an eminent educator.
Department of Educational Technology
Progressive Education Societys Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce Manaskriti School, a progressisive K-12 school
Dr. Priyanka Joshi More is an inspiring educator nurturing and transforms student's lives with dedication and persistence.
With her admirable approach to innovative teaching, Ms. Madhavi Dharankar has enhanced and eased technological education for her students.
Ms. Manisha Gupta strives to build an ecosystem to juxtapose with the wave of new learning pedagogies, creativity and talent.
Vels Group of Schools
G Narayanamma Institute of Technology & Sciences
Hope Foundation and Research Centre
Department of Computer Science Engineering, JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur
FLSBM, Shoolini Institute, Shimla
Ms. Meenakshi Ramesh has spent 35 years as an influential educator, completing the educators' arc from being an inspiring teacher to an eminent principal.
Ms. Srividya Reddy is an educator, entrepreneur, Social Activist and Community Volunteer catering to enhancing the education system.
With 22 years of hands-on experience in key performance areas like management & administration, Mrs. Aruna Katara has dedicated herself to providing equal education to not-so-privileged students of the community through Hope Foundation.
Prof. Sonal Jain is an inspiring educator who empowers education and technology to create a lineage that will benefit the future of the nation.
Smt Saroj Khosla has been shaping the young minds for her entire life, and through her dream project FLSBM, she caters to hope students' talent and skills for the global world.
Womenarethesymbolof strength,power,growth, andempowerment.In today’sage,theystandshoulder-toshoulderwithmenineveryindustry anddomain.Manysuccessfulwomen havemadetremendous accomplishmentsinthefieldof education.Theyhaveintroduced revolutionarytransformationsin teaching–learningprocedures,while ensuringthateachstudentsucceeds academicallyandbuildsabrightcareer forthemselves.
Aninspirationalpersonalityinthefield ofeducation,whohasmadeamassive impactthroughherdedicated endeavoursisManishaGupta,the PromoterofManaskritiSchool.She feelsthattobeaneducationist,onehas toforgothestereotypesthattheyhave beenraisedwith.Theymustjuxtapose thewaveofnewlearningpedagogies, thetalents,thecreativity,andthe passionwithtoday’sdesideratum.
ThedynamismofMsManisha’s parentscomesasapartofalegacyto her,givingbacktosocietyintheform ofraisingaliteratecommunitybeing centraltoherupbringingideals.Hence, shehasalwaysstriventoraisethebar forusheringdynamiceducation pedagogiesforacommunity’s enrichment.
“With two of our premier and oldest schools in the Faridabad region- Vidya Mandir Public School and Vidya Niketan School, my vision unfolds the most in Manaskriti, where I have rooted the values of sanskar and pyaar through gyaan as a mode of seeping into Indian diaspora, embedded in international methods of robust yet key
methods of cognitive child development strategies,” sharesMsManisha.The journeyisongoing,andsheis metamorphosingtobestofher abilities.
MsManishaexpresseshergratitude andrespecttowardsherfamilyforthe strengthandsupporttheyconsistently providedherwith.Shebelievesthat especiallyforwomen,theirprogress beginsathome.Shehasalways regardedfamilybeingthenucleusof one’soutwardprogress.
MsManishaexpresses, “The stepping stones for my entrée into education industry was well chartered by the unswerving ideals of my parents. Beginning with my father who was an entrepreneur and an educationist, my mother who balanced her life between an educationist and in being her key self, being a mother.”
Shefeelshumbledtoacknowledgethat herpursuitasaneducationististhe visionandlegacybequeathedtoherby herparents,towhichsheisonlyadding wingsofcreativity. “Well, apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I am glad to be the apple of such a visionary and dynamic family,” sharesMsManisha.
Astheglobaleducationcommunity strivestosupportthestudentsthrough onlinemethods,MsManishastrives towardsbuildinganecosystem,aniche forherschoolfamily Asan educationist,shehasfocusedonthe creationofacommunitywhichlooksat innovationandcreationfortheyoung learners.Itmaybeintheformof regeneratinglearningthroughplays, continualinteractionwiththeteaching staff,layingfoundationtothebuilding oftheschool’sorganicgarden, experientiallabs,onlinediscussions, andsoon.
Withtheintentofnurturingdeep thinkingandself-belief,Manaskriti Schoolbelievesinanexperiential learningprocess.Theexperiencesare valuedrivenandauthentic.These empowerthelearnerstobepassionate andmindfuloftheirinnerstrengthand areinterwovenwiththeentirelearning communitytopositivelyimpact society.
AtManaskriti,thenaturalcuriosityof learnersisencouraged.Studentsare nurturedtothinkindependently, considerdifferentviewsandideas,and reflectontheirlearningtofollowtheir dreamsandturnpassionsintoreality.
Thecurriculumframeworkat Manaskritiemphasizesdeeplearning andrealisticexperiencesthrough classroomdiscussions,integratedlabs, collaborativeprojects,problemsolving
opportunities,andacomprehensive andregularassessmentprogram.
Beyondthecoreacademicclasswork, theschool’scurriculumemphasizeson skillsthatarethebuildingblocksofthe youngminds.Theseinclude organisationalskills,creativity, time-management,presentationand expression,relevantdiscussions,and soon.
Thedesignthinkinglab,integrated sciencelab,makerslab,pretendplay zone,theatre,potterybarn,and
learningstudiosaretangibleresources providedtothestudentstosupplement theexperientialpedagogy.
Thecurriculumistaughtby experiencededucatorswhouse innovativeinstructionalmethodsto designanddeliverclassroom experiencesthatcapturethe students’interestsandinspirelife-long learning.
AsperMsManisha,nosuccesscomes
withoutfacingchallenges.However, thewayoneperceivestheirchallenges, definestheirjourneytowardstheir destination.Ms.Manishaalways sportedherhurdlesaschallenges throughwhichshewouldbeableto learnsomethingnew,tobeequipped againstitsfutureimpact.
Sheexpresses, “Leadership for women seems like a perception to me, but surely it is a gradual process as with the ever-expanding opportunities of working from home, has become a way of the world.” MsManishafurther expressesthatwomenhavetobroaden
theirhorizonofthestereotypicalimage ofrunningonlyhomeandtakingcare ofkids.
MsManishasharesthatthelast2years willalwaysberememberedasthe zeitgeistwhichrevampedourwhole ideaofexistence. “72 years into the Post Independent era and we saw people coming from all walks of life, relying on the conventional, sometimes, obsolete methods of sustenance,” shestates.
MsManishafurtherexpressesthatto existinharmony,toworkforand surviveforthegreatergood,andto workasaforcealwaysfeltlikethe culturalpatentofcorporategiants.But theyear2020and2021taughtusnot onlysurvivalbutresilienceand gratitude.
Sheassistedinextendingsupportto teachers,supportstaff,drivers,and maidsandguardsfinanciallyand emotionallyintheirhardtimes.She expressed, “This had been a phase of experience where to embed these metaphors of resilience and gratitude outsized my life as a leader of my workforce.” MsManishahasalways knownallherstaffmembers.But,in theselasttwoyears,shegottoknow
theirfamiliesaswell.Shefeelsthatit broughteveryoneclosertoeachother notonlyasateambutasabigger family
Inheropinion,educationisnotonly aboutprovidingknowledge,butalso theabilitytospreadwisdomand compassionthroughlearningtothe community
MsManishabelievesthateducationis atransformativejourneyoflearning andthetruejoyoflearningdoesnot showcasethroughthemarksand gradesthatchildrenget,butthetrue successstoriesthattheywriteintheir life.
MsManishasuggeststhatstudents shouldremainflexibletotheever changingdiasporaofeducationand evolvethemselvestoadapttothenew emergingtrends.However,indoingso, theyshouldnotlosethetrueessenceof educationwhichmeanstobringabout asocietythatisculturallystrongand united.
MsManishastatesthatManaskriti’s philosophyisbuiltonthebeliefthat studentslearnbestwhentheyhavea strongsenseofbelongingtotheir classroomsandhaveprideintheir school. “Manaskriti minds are encouraged to be active independent learners, who set goals, and challenge themselves in order to achieve personal excellence,” sheopines.UnderMs Manisha’sguidance,theschoolstrives toprovideasupportive,nurturing,and challenginglearningenvironmentfor studentstobuildtheirlearning.
Furthermore,theschool’smanagement believesintheidea,‘Ittakesavillage toraiseachild’. “We strongly value the relationships that we build to help raise happy and successful children,” expressesMsManisha.
TTheeducationsectorinIndiahasevolvedmanifoldswhile openingdoorsofequalopportunitiestomalesand females.Intoday’sage,womenhavecompletefreedom topursueanycoursetheywantandbuildasuccessfulcareerin anyfieldoftheirchoice.Moreover,womenhavealsomadea markintheeducationsector.Theyhaveemergedassuccessful mentorsandeducatorswhilenurturingthestudentsandassisting themtobecometheleadersoftomorrow
Foundation for Life Sciences and Business Management; Chairperson, Shoolini Institute of Life Sciences and Business Management
Withtheirnever-give-upattitudeand dedicatedendeavours,these prominentwomenarechangingthe faceoftheeducationsectoraswe knowit.Onesuchprominent personalityamongtheleagueof renownedwomeneducationalleaders isMrs.SarojKhosla,thePresident oftheFoundationforLifeSciences andBusinessManagement
ApostgraduatefromtheUniversity ofOxfordintheUnitedKingdom, Mrs.Sarojisaneducationistwith extensiveexperienceinmanaging academicorganisations.Shecomes
fromafamilythatisdeeplycommitted totheteachingprofession.After graduatingfromSt.Stephen’sCollege inDelhi,Mrs.Saroj’sfatherMr.M.L. HandamovedtoLahoretostudylaw. However,hechangedhismindand decidedtobecomeateacher.Hefirmly believedthatgirlsshouldbeeducated sothattheycanbeindependentand becomeassetsfortheirfamiliesrather thanliabilities.Hewasarenowned educationistandanuprightmanwho servedasarolemodelforMrs.Saroj andinspiredhertochoosethenoble professionofteaching.Herthree sisterswentontobecometeachers, whilethefourthonepursuedacareer inmedicine.Herpaternaluncle,who wasthepresssecretarytoDr.Rajendra Prasad,India'sfirstPresident,also encouragedthesiblings’decisionto pursuehigherstudies.
ProfPremKumarKhosla,MrsSaroj’s husbandandaninternationally distinguishedacademician,provided unwaveringsupportthroughouther teachingcareer.ProfKhoslahasadded newdimensionstohighereducation andresearchinIndianUniversities.He
hasservedasVice-Chancellor,HPAU, Palampur(HP),andasSenior ScientificAdvisortotheGovernment ofHimachalPradeshandhasbeen responsibleforguidingitsscience policy.HebecamethefirstViceChancelloroftheShooliniUniversity andispresentlyitsChancellor
Prof.KhoslaandMrs.Khosla complementedeachotherthroughout theiracademicjourneys.In1972,they wenttotheU.K.,whereProf.Khosla conductedpost-doctoralresearchin treegeneticsatOxfordUniversityona CommonwealthFellowshipforthree years.Mrs.Khoslatookadvantageof herhusband’svisitbyenrollingina one-yearcourseoninternational educationatthesameuniversity
TheKhoslashaveshownan inspirationalsenseofinitiativeand entrepreneurialacumenintheirover fourdecadesofuntiringwork.When peopleprefertoretirefromactivework andspendquiettimeathome,they tookacalculatedrisktoinvesttheir lifetimesavingsinestablishinganot-
An Educator's Lifelong Endeavour My prime objective is to ensure the academic welfare development of the students.
Mrs. Khosla welcoming former President of India, Late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam to Shoolini University at the First Convocation in 2013
for-profitorganizationafterretiring fromtheirrespectivejobs.Theysetup theFoundationforLifeSciencesand BusinessManagement(FLSBM)in 2004withamissiontoprovide affordablequalityeducationtothe youthfromruralandsemi-urbanareas ofHimachalPradesh.Theywere focusedontheirvisionofusingscience asatooltoempowerthemarginal farmersofHimachalPradesh.They emphasisedtheresearchandstudyof thestate'sbiodiversityfor environmentalconservation.Moreover, theyarepassionateaboutcreatinga globallyrecognizedandworld-class privateuniversity Theirthinkinghas beenaheadoftimeandhasalways beenfollowedupwithresult-oriented action.
Mrs.SarojKhoslaisthe President of
theFLSBM,whichwasfoundedwith theaimofusingfrontierareasofbio andmanagementsciencesforthe socio-economicupliftmentof Himalayanpeopleingeneral,and HimachalPradeshinparticular.The Foundation’sprimarygoalisto develophigh-qualityhumanresources inbiotechnology,basicandapplied sciences,engineering,liberalartsand theirintegrationwithmanagement disciplines.
TheFLSBMmanagestwoprestigious educationalinstitutions:Shoolini InstituteofLifeSciencesandBusiness Management(SILB),foundedin2004, andtheShooliniUniversityof BiotechnologyandBusiness Management,establishedin2009.
Mrs.KhoslaisalsotheChairperson ofSILB,which isthemostprestigious
institutionofHimachalPradesh University.Sheisaneducationistwho isself-motivatedandresult-oriented. SheretiredfromtheHimachalPradesh EducationServicesasPrincipalofthe DistrictInstituteofEducationand TraininginSolan,whereshewas involvedintheacademicexcellenceof preandin-serviceteachers.Shefirmly believesinthegreateducatorGurudev RabindranathTagore'sphilosophyof “Where the mind is fearless, and the head is held high.” Accordingtoher, highlydedicatedteachersgivetheir verybesttotheirstudents,andstudents learnthebestpractices,allowingthem tobecomevirtuouscitizensofthe nation.
Shehasbeenconferredwiththe prestigious‘AcademicExcellence Award’byAdoptionofSocialMediain Academia(ASMA),theleadingglobal
communityofAcademia. “Your leadership in the field of education is extraordinary,” saidthecitation presentedtoMrsKhoslaaspartof itsinitiativeonthe‘Trailblazing womenleadersinIndian education’.
BelieverinFamilyValuesand Students’Welfare Mrs.Khoslabelievesinfamily values.Thisisevidentfromthefact thatsheandhersistersalwaystook goodcareoftheirmotheranddid notleaveheraloneevenforaday, despitetheirownfamilyand professionalcommitments. Students’welfareandtheir educationisverydeartoherheart. Sheisespeciallypassionateabout buildingtheircareers.Mrs.Khosla opinesthattheNewEducation Policy(NEP)wouldprovide academicfreedomtostudentsfor pursuingthesubjectsoftheir interestandaholisticeducation.
BothProfKhoslaandMrsKhosla belongtoParmahansaYogananda Orderandhavefullyimbibedtheir guru’steachings.
AboutShooliniUniversity ShooliniUniversitywasestablishedin 2009byacademicianswithaveryclear visiontobeamongstthetop200global universitiesby2022.Torealisethis boldambition,significanteffortswere madeintheareasofresearch,teaching andlearning,andthecreationof world-classinfrastructure.Becauseof
I am passionate about nurturing the students and in ensuring that they succeed in their careers.
itsadvantageouslocationinthe Himalayas,ShooliniUniversity decidedtoconcentrateallitsresearch operationsinandaroundthe Himalayas,andresearchcentresof excellencewereestablishedtothatend.
Variousnationalandinternational agencieshaverecognizedthe university’sresearchpotential,which havefundedseveralcompetitive researchprojects,totallingmorethan Rs40crore.Thevarsityisalso assistingindustriesthrough consultancyprojects.Itsresearch qualityindicators,suchasField WeightedCitationImpact(FWCI) (2.04),citationsperpublication(13.5), andpercentinternationalcollaboration (57.8%),havealwaysbeenatthetop oftheIndianeducationandresearch institutions.However,theuniversityis nowcompetingwithsomeofthebest intheworld.ShooliniisoneofIndia’s toppatentfilers,havingfiled800+ patents,100ofwhichhavebeen granted.Itscurrenth-indexis82, whichisthesecondhighestofall institutionsanduniversitiesestablished after2009.
Inthe2021NIRF-MHRDRankings, ShooliniUniversitywasplaced89th outofthetop100institutionsinthe country,withtheSchoolof PharmaceuticalSciencesat36th,the FacultyofManagementat76-100,and theSchoolofEngineeringat103rd. Theuniversityisrankedfirstinthe countryandsixthinAsiaintheQS Asia2022rankingsforcitationsper publication,asignofhigh-quality research.
Thecampuswasawardedoneof India’stopcleanestcampusesinthe SwachhBharatSurvey2020and YoganandaLibraryhaswonseveral nationalandinternationalarchitectural awards.
Founders of Shoolini University: Saroj Khosla and Chancellor PK Khosla
Mrs. Aiswarya Sivanesh
An educationist should be cheerful with the students forgetting their age and give their best to them.
“ “
PPerseverance,dedication, compassion,andanever-giveupattitudearetheingredients thatcharacterizeanimpactfulwoman whopossessesthecapabilityof changingthefaceoftheeducation industry.Eminentfemaleeducational leadersdelivertheirbesttouphold educationandnurturestudentsfrom thecore.Theyarefocusedonthe overalldevelopmentofthestudents whilebuildingadoorwaytoacademic andcareerexcellence.
Arenownededucationalleaderdriven tobringoutthebestineverystudentis theoneandonlyMrs.Aiswarya Sivanesh,theCo-FounderofTango AcademyofIndia.Shehasalways ensuredthatthestudentslearn thoroughlyandexploretheirpotential throughherdedicatedendeavors.The KnowledgeReview,wegotan opportunitytositdownandinterview Mrs.Aiswaryaandlearnmoreabout herimpressivejourneythroughoutthe educationindustry.Followingarethe highlightsofinterview:
Pleasetellusaboutyourjourney throughouttheeducationsector rightfromthebeginningofyour career.
By2017,westartedTangoAcademyof
India,justbythenameTANGOwhere westartedasummercampforkids duringholidays.Later,wetaughtkids aboutArt,Crafts,Yoga,andLanguages regularly.Now,wetrainkidswith variouscourses,includingAbacus OnlineTutoring.Wealsohomeschool children.
Whatinspiredyoutostepintothe educationindustry?Whowereyour rolemodelsgrowingup?
WhenIunderstoodtheterm‘Ladder’–ateacheriscalledaladderbecauseshe isselflessinmakingherstudentsclimb upandunlockthedoorcalled opportunity.Suchateachercan educatethechildwithvaluesand moralsthatevenaparentorafamily membercan’tgive.Aseducationisthe keytowisdom,Ibecamean educationist.
Myrolemodelismyfirsteverteacher, mymom,whotaughtmeabout differentthingsrightfromthedayof mybirth.Again,themostinspiring storywasaboutDr.RadhaKrishnan andDr A.P.J.AbdulKalamformer Presidentsofourcountrywho remainedhumbleteachersthroughout theirlifetimesandearnedtheloveof lakhsofstudents.
Tellusaboutyouresteemed institute’smission,vision,andcore values.
Mission:Aseveryparentwishesto givetheirchildtherighteducationof theirchoice,TangoAcademyofIndia insistsonplantingatree.Whilethey growupwiththeireducation,we followthesamethroughTango Greenageprogram.
Vision:ToempowerTangoAcademy ofIndiatobeaprestigiousandhighly establishedforumonArt,Values, Science,andCulturalLearning Worldwide.
CoreValues:Weteachourstudents thevaluesofnaturewheretheyare expectedtobecourteousandgiveback therightthingstomotherearth.
Whataretheprioritiesofyour instituteintermsofcourse objectivesandlearningoutcomes? Weemphasizenurturingthechildtobe agoodhumanbyheartandmind. Eventually,wepreparethemtoattain excellenceinadomainoftheirchoice.
Kindlyshareyourviewsregarding interactive,onlineeducational contentandhowitisredefiningthe wayswelearn.
Interactive,onlineeducationisthenew trendwherewemeetachild/studentin thevirtualplatformandbuildface-tofacecommunication.Aswewish,this wayoflearningshouldhappen efficiently,sowebuildsmallbatchesto enhancelearningefficiency
Whatarethebiggestchallengesand strugglesfacedbyeducatorsin general?
Lackofenthusiasminteaching.An educator/teacher/tutorshouldbevery creative,glad,andinnovativetomeet thelittlebrainstoprovokethefuture
Educationisconsideredatoolof empowerment.Whateffortsdoyou andtheinstitutiontaketoensure thateducationisprovidedtothose whoneedit?
Westrictlyfollowthecharitablelaws wherewesharetheprofitsmadeeach monthandhelpthechild/studentwho needseducationbyfundingthem.
Kindlymentionanyofyourawards, accolades,andaccreditations. TangoAcademyofIndiaisrecognised withMoMSMEregistration.
WearenominatedfortheAEAand IndiaPrimeAwards2022.
TangoGreenage’sachievement-A MassDriveonSowing10,000+palm seedsnearVirudhunagarMettugundu villageinOct2021atTamilNaduwas documentedinrenownedstate newspapersandnewschannelslike News7,PolymerTV,SmartTV,and VasanthTV.
Whatadvicewouldyouliketogive tothosewhowanttostepintothe fieldofeducation?
eacher
shouldbecheerfulwiththestudents gettingtheirageandgivingtheir Also,theyshouldbean instrument/rolemodelincultivating humanityandpatriotismtoserveour
ewhatliesaheadforyou institutioninthenear
Asthispandemichasgivenusan opportunitytocreateawonderful onlineplatformtoconnectwith studentsgloballytheseyears,wewant ANGOtoberecognisedasapopular internationallearningacademyinthe
should t/role ating and erve
EEducationisconsideredasan effectivetoolintheacademic, practicalandoverall developmentofone'spersonality.Itnot onlyempowerstheindividualbutleads totheholisticprogressofthesocietyas well.
Educatedwomenhavecreatedtheir markinvariousfieldsofscience, commerce,arts,IT,technology,sports, defence,educationandmanymore. Womenteachersmighthavetaughtus allatsomepointinoureducational period.
Womenhavehadasolidimpactonthe educationsystemthroughtheir involvementinmultiplerolesinour educationsystem.Teachingprofiles includedteachersforvarioussubjects, instructors,trainersandtopical mentors.Womeninthenon-teaching departmentsarealsoseenworking effectivelyintheadministration, accountsandfinance,salesand marketing,traininganddevelopment, library,planningandlogisticsand management.
Haveyoueverwonderedhowdidthey getsettledanddevelopedtheir strongholdineducation?
Aswelookbackinourearlyhistory, womeninitiallywerechosenforthe non-strenuousjobsthatincluded educationautomatically.
Womenwerefastlearners,agile, adaptableanddisciplinedinevery activity Thestrongwillpower,and disciplinewerethequalitieswhich registeredthemasagoodworkforce foreducation.Frombeingexpert communicatorstoempatheticguides, womenteacherssteadilywonthetrust ofthechildren.Theywenttothelevel ofthekidsandsimplifiedlearning processmakingtheteachingeasier Theyareperceivedasimpeccablestory tellers,makingthemexpertsinstudent engagement.Theylivedasimplelife yetencouragedthestudentstoseebig dreams.
Focusandastrongsenseof responsibilitywereessentialfactors thatmadethemgoodteachers.They havealwaysbeenpunctual,goalorientedandrationalintheirteaching methodology.Theirstrong commitmentwithclearandtransparent pedagogiesmadeeverystudentwell versedwiththesubjectessentials.
Initiallywomentookthechalkand dustersoonaftertheirdomesticduties. Comingfromavariousstratumof society,theyplacededucationatan equalwithreligion.Strict disciplinariansimbibingthegood habitstothecoreacademiccurriculum, theycontributedincreatingstrong beliefsoftheyounggenerationin harnessingthevaluesofethics,morals andpurpose.
Womeninvariousprofileshavebeen veryquick,sharpandfeistyintheir workprofiles.Organizedbehavior, cleanlinessandforward-thinkingmade themefficientworkresources.Senior positionsofsupervisors,managers, advisors,principals,rectors,VPsand directors;allareseeneffectively adornedbywomen.
Apartfrombeingeffectivework resources,theyareknowntohavebeen inspiringteamleadersandadmirable managers.Beingefficientinmultitasking,rationalthinkingand supportiveapproach,theymadepopular andtrustworthyleadersandmanagers.
Womenhandledsituationsfroma broaderperspectiveenhancingthe solutionstocreateawin-winsituations forstudentsandthemanagement.They arealsopatientlisteners,imparting impartialjudgementsandbethe empatheticguidefortheirteam membersandemployees.Theabilityof aleadertoworkwithpassionandlead byexampleisoneofthestrikingtraits ofwomeneducators.
Byleadingfromthefront,womentook uptheresponsibilityofguidingheteam tounderstandandworktowardsthe coreobjectivesoftheorganization. Theyhandledeverydimension fearlesslyrightfromteammanagement, developmentoftheeducation standards,harnessingthestudent progress,andnurturingtheteacher parentrelationship.
Ithasbeenaknownfactthatwomen becameableteachersandprofessorsin various educationdepartments.Clarity ofthoughtdisciplinedandwell-curated approach,enthusiasticteaching pedagogiesandinspiringthrough examplesmaybesomeofthemany aspectsthatsetthemapart.Women
havebeenknowntobeexcellentcritics andpatronsofexcellence.Our educationsystemmighthave transformedatitsownpace,butthe activecontributionofwomenin workingonthepurposeandeffectively empoweringthestudentswith personalizedapproachintheir developmentcouldactuallyhavebeen thedecisivefactor.
SavitribaiPhule:Shecoupledwithher husbandMahatmaJyotibaPhulebegan theprocessofwomeneducation, spreadingequalityandsocialjusticein India.Shewastheforemostteachers whoinitiatedtheresponsibilityof educatingwomenandisremembered forherrelentlesscontributioneven today
RamabaiRanade:Ramabaiwasoneof theimportantsocialreformerswho workedfordevelopmentofwomenin thepro-independenceera.Shegained recognitionforheroratoryand leadershipskills.Sheinitiatedthe educationgirls,adultladiesandwidows andencouragedtheactivitieslikeessay writingandlectures.
CatalystsintheEquationofProgress Indiansocietysteadilychangedthe approachtowardsthediverseanddeeprootedroleofwomenintheIndian society Aswomenenteredthe professionalspheressoonafter independence,theybecametheclassic modelsofmulti-tasking.Anyworking ladytothatmatter,managesher householdresponsibilitiesandher professionaldutieswithabsoluteease. Maybethiswastheunnoticedstrength thatledtotheriseofwomenas successfulprofessionals.Todaytheyare torchbearersofvaluesandprinciples, womenineducationindustryhave nurturedtheprogressivemindsetof generationstocome.
-KedarBorgaonkar
Thesuddenascentoftechnologysupportin educationhasbroughtmanynewchallengesfor educators.Teachingonlinehasitsownsetof limitationsandlacksthepersonaltouchthatoffline educationhas.However,ithasalsoopeneddoorstomany students,accessingaplethoraofinformationandstudy courses.Studentsofallagesandfromeverynookand cornercanlearnandgrowwithonlinelearning.
Furthermore,thiseducationorlifelonglearningsystemis notanewone.Yearsofresearchandimplementationhave resultedinthecurrentdistancelearningsystem.Distance educationhasallowedstudentswithdifferentconstrictsto pursueeducationfromadistance.
Dr.MadhaviVivekDharankar,Associateprofessorat SNDTWomen'sUniversity,isaseasonededucatorand hasplayedacrucialroleindevelopingdistancelearningin thecountry.Shesharesherinsightsonthecurrentscenario ineducationandhervisioninaninterviewconductedby The Knowledge Review
Dr.MadhaviDharankarjoinedasTechnicalAssistantinthe DepartmentofAdultandContinuingEducationand Extension,UniversityofMumbai,in1995.She,lateron, startedworkingasanassistantteacheratSSAjmeraHigh School,Borivali.Herjourneyintheeducationspacehad begun,andshecontinuedteachingandgainedvaried learningexposure.
Dr.Madhavihaddevelopedastrongfootholdindistance educationwithherextensivetenureof15yearsat YashvantraoChavanMaharashtraOpenUniversity (YCMOU),NasikasanAssistantProfessorintheSchoolof Education.
Onlineeducationhasopenedup somanypossibilities.Interactivityand learnerengagementareatthecoreof anyformofeducation,andtheseareall themorecrucialinonlineeducation.
SheiscurrentlyanAssociateProfessorintheDepartment ofEducationalTechnology,SNDTWomen'sUniversity, Mumbai,wheresheteachesvarioussubjects,including blendedlearning,researchmethodology,openanddistance learning,andeducationaltechnology.
Dr.Madhavi'sprimaryinspirationtogetintoteachingwas hermother,aprimaryschoolteacherinGreaterMumbai MunicipalCorporation.Herschoolteachershadalsoplayed animportantroleinbreedingtheloveforteaching.In highereducation,Dr.C.G.D'lima,herB.EdCollege Principalhadalsoplayedacrucialroleinmotivingherto becomeaneducator.
Dr.Madhavisharesthevision,mission,andcorevaluesof SNDTWomen'sUniversity(SNDTWU)as:
Vision:SNDTWomen'sUniversityisvisualizedasaworldclassuniversitythatcontinuallyrespondstothechanging socialrealitiesthroughdevelopingandapplyingknowledge andskills.Thepurposeofsuchengagementwillbeto
Associate Professor, Department of Educa onal Technology, SNDT Women's University
createaninclusivesocietythatpromotesandprotects dignity,equality,socialjustice,andhumanrightsforall, withparticularemphasisonwomen'sempowerment.
Mission:SNDTWomen'sUniversityiscommittedtothe causeofwomen'sempowermentthroughaccesstohigher education.Further,theuniversityiscommittedtoproviding awiderangeofprofessionalandvocationalcoursesfor womentomeetchangingsocio-economicneeds,human values,purposefulsocialresponsibility,andachieving excellencewith‘QualityineveryActivity’.
CoreValue:AnEnlightenedWomanisaSourceofInfinite Strength
Dr.Madhavisays, "SNDTWU has a priority to educate the women so that they find the niche for themselves in the world of work, they build their capacity and also selfemploy in this world of competition."
Dr.Madhavibelievesthatvideomaybeexploitedasa modeoflearningandcanbeahealthyoptionforLifelong
SNDTWUhasapriorityto educatethewomensothat theyfindthenichefor themselvesintheworldof work,theybuildtheircapacity andalsoself-employinthis worldofcompetition.
the opportunities of international internships with work from home facilities. All internship opportunities provide the student's experience of working on live projects. The students get trained in all aspects of educational technology and instructional design."
Atapersonallevel,shealsoensuresthatthestudentsare thoroughwiththecoreprocesseswithintheinstructional designing.
Dr.MadhaviDharankarhaswonseveralawardsand accreditationsforherpricelesscontributiontovariousfields ofeducation.Someoftheawardsarelistedbelow:
Learning,asitwasalreadyatermbutwasneverusedas fullyasitistoday
"Online education has opened up many possibilities. Interactivity and learner engagement are at the core of any form of education, and these are all the more crucial in online education," sheadds.
Whenenquiredaboutthechallengesthateducational leadersfacetoday,Dr.Madhavireplied, "The biggest challenge is everyone — teachers, students, parents, policymakers — looking for a 'fast' and 'quick' success."
Sheadmitsthatonemustpauseandintrospectasboth educatorandstudent.
Dr.Madhavibelievesinbuildingasolidfoundationin learningamongstudentstosettheirjourneytoany instructionaldesignsituation.Shesays, "We are in the era where the mere degree is not helpful, but students look for the opportunities to get experience in the world of work even during their years of study At SDTWU, the internship is mandatory for the PG programs."Thisprocesshelpsthe studentstoacquireexposureandconfidence.
Shefurtheradds, "At the Department of Educational Technology, the students start earning through the stipend even before they have their degree in hand. Some of them had got an opportunity of paid international internship earlier, where they traveled overseas. Pandemic opened up
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SaraandGeorgeMcCuneScholarshipAwardfor Summer2019MixedMethodWorkshopatUniversity ofMichigan,USAduringJune19–21,2019ofthe amount of$3000institutedbySaraandGeorge McCuneFoundationthroughDepartmentofFamily Medicine,UniversityofMichigan,USA
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Travelfundforattendingaseminarof"Researcher Competency:MappingandManagement"duringMarch 24–25,2014atMSUniversity,Baroda;Formof Bursary:Travel,accommodation;ByCASE,MS University,Baroda
Travelfundforattendingaseminaron"Continuous ComprehensiveEvaluationImplementation:Issuesand Concerns"duringMarch2–4,2012atMSUniversity, BarodaFormofBursary:Travel,accommodation:By CASE,MSUniversity,Baroda
ShikshaRattanPuraskaar2012byIndiaInternational FriendshipSociety
BursaryawardforattendingINORMSConference duringJune16–19,2008inLiverpool,UK;Formof Bursary:Travel,accommodation,andregistration; Amount:700Pounds;AssociationofCommonwealth Universities(ACU),UK
SubsidyandSponsorshipforattending5 PanCommonwealthForum(PCF%)onOpenLearningat UniversityofLondon,UKFormofSubsidy:Airticket toandfrotheUK;ByCommonwealthofLearning (COL),Canada
Awardforthebestpaperforthepapertitled "EnvironmentalConcerns:AnActionProjectatSchool ofEducation,YCMOU"atKashibaiNavaleCollegeof EducationandTraining,Lonawala,MSduring (December23,2007);Navapur(2004)
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FourthrankatM.Ed.ThelevelattheUniversityof Mumbai(1995)
FirstprizefortheProjectReportamongB.Ed.Students atDepartmentofAdultandContinuingEducationand Extension,UniversityofMumbai(1994)
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AwardfortheSpiritofserviceandreachingoutto othersfromSt.Xavier'sInstituteofEducation,Mumbai, MS(1994)
Dr.Madhaviencouragescuriosityamongstudents,teachers, andpeerstomakelearninganinclusiveprocess.
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AwardfortheBestColleague–fromParleTilak Association'sVyayamshala,Mumbai,MS,India(1989)
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St.Xavier'sInstituteofEducation,Mumbai-Istprizein Badminton–femalessingles(1993-94)
"One reads books and resources, but reading people is crucial in the field of education as one works with young minds. Maintaining the teacher's diary/ journal serves as a rich source of thoughts, reflections, and ideas. It also serves as an artifact of one's thinking process and growth. During teaching, if the content/ syllabus is linked with the life and living, then it becomes more meaningful to the students, and then the learning becomes more enriching for them," she furtheradds.
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St.Xavier'sInstituteofEducation,Mumbai-Istprizein Badminton–mixeddoubles(1993-94)
Dr.Madhavibelievesthatateachershouldkeepwriting, expressingthroughthepopulardailies,magazines,and researchjournals.Itishelpfulforone'sprofessionaljourney andforfutureteacherstolearnthroughtheirexperiences.
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St.Xavier'sInstituteofEducation,Mumbai-IIIrdprize inJavelineThrow(1993-94)
Ÿ InstituteofScience,Mumbai-IIIrdprizeinRunning 400mt(1992-93)
EEducationisthevoyagefrom ignorancetoattainingthe ultimateknowledge.With properguidance,anindividualcan transformintoafurnishedcitizenanda seasonedprofessional.Manywomen haveattainedtremendousknowledge intheirfieldofchoiceandhave introducedtransformationalinitiatives inthefieldofeducation.Theyhave takenuprespectablepositionsas leadersintheeducationsector
Arenownededucatorwhohas embracedinnovationandexcellence whileshapingabrightfutureforthe studentsisDr.PriyankaJoshiMore SheservesasanAssistantProfessor ofHistoryatProgressiveEducation Society’sModernCollegeofArts, ScienceandCommerce (Autonomous),Shivajinagar,Pune
We,at The Knowledge Review,gotan opportunitytositdownwithDr
Priyanka.Inaninterview,sheshared aboutherjourneythroughthe educationsector,heropinionsabout theeducationindustry,hernoteworthy achievements,andherfutureplans. Followingarethehighlightsofthe interview:
Pleasetellusaboutyourjourney throughouttheeducationsector rightfromthebeginningofyour career.
My journey as an educator has always been lled with fun and learning.
Myjourneyasaneducatorhasalways beenfilledwithfunandlearning.Each year,witheverybatch,Ilearn somethingnewandwaystoimprove myselfasateacher.Iwasastudentof theAmericancurriculumasmyparents werepostedabroadundertheMinistry ofExternalAffairs,NewDelhi.My firstjobwasinOakridgeInternational School,anIBSchoolsituatedin Hyderabad.
Iwasluckytohavebeenprovidedan opportunitythereasIhadnoprior teachingexperiencethen,butthey trustedmypotentialandgavemethe scope.There,Ididnotjustrealizethat Ienjoyedteaching,butitbecameafun processasateacher-cum-learner myself,interactingwithstudentsand colleagues.AsIwasabroadasa studentandallmyexperiencesIhadas astudentinIndiahaveshapedmeto becometheteacherIamtoday
Whatinspiredyoutostepintothe educationindustry?Whowereyour rolemodelsgrowingup?
TobehonestIhadnorolemodelsasI neverimaginedbeingateacher.I wantedtobeagynaecologist,butasI hadstudiedabroad,whenIcameto Indiaformycollege,Ihadtotakethe Artsstream,thenafterthefirstyearof myBA,Ineverintendedtomajorin History,butthatalsohappenedand nowIamwhereIam,withnoregrets. TheonlyinspirationIhadfrommy teacherswasthatHistory-thesubject, hasalwaysbeentaughtattheschool levelascrammingofdates,namesand events,whichIhadexperiencedalso; so,whenIcompletedmyHonoursin History,IcomprehendedthatHistoryis muchmorethanthat.Studentsfeelso fedupwithHistoryjustmemorizing facts,andthisiswhatIimplementedto changemyteachingpatterns.Tomake itafunandinterestingsubject.
Tellusaboutyouresteemedinstitute anditsmission,vision,andcore values.
Currently,Iamacollegeteacher, AssistantProfessorinHistoryat ProgressiveEducationSociety’s ModernCollegeofArts,Scienceand Commerce(Autonomous), Shivajinagar,Pune,establishedin1970 isamulti-facultyeducationalinstitute permanentlyaffiliatedtoSavitribai PhulePuneUniversity(formerly UniversityofPune).Thecollegeis knowntobeapremierinstituteof ProgressiveEducationSociety
Thecollegeiscarefullynurturingallrounddevelopmentofover12500 studentsthroughacademicandco-and extra-curricularactivities,thus enablingthemtobe‘ProactiveBest Citizens’,keepinginbothletterand spirit,theMissionStatementofthe institution.UniversityGrants Commission,NewDelhihasawarded AutonomousStatustothecollegefrom theacademicyear2019-20forthenext 10years.OurCollegeimparts educationmainlyinthesaidthree streamsandispresentlyoffering26 UG,23PGcoursesand9approved researchcentresinwhichstudies leadingtoM.Philand/orPh.D. degreesareoffered.Thecollegehas initiatednewacademicprogrammes suchasM.Sc.(ComputerApplication), M.A.(Hindi),M.A.(History)and coursesinFashionTechnology.The Collegehasreceivedsanctionsfor2 B.VocCoursesbyUGCviz.B.Voc.in AnimatorandB.Voc.inLandscaping andGardening.Asanctionforthe courseM.VocinFashionTechnologyis alsoreceivedfromUGC.
Whataretheprioritiesofyour instituteintermsofcourse objectivesandlearningoutcomes? Beinganautonomousinstitute,we designourownsyllabus.Thecourse
objectivesaredefinedatthestartofthe detailedsyllabusofeverycourse. the syllabusisdesignedbydefiningthe programoutcomes,program-specific outcomesandcourseoutcomes,based onthebloomstaxonomy.The attainmentoftheoutcomesdefinedare calculatedattheendofeveryacademic year Thecollegehasdefinedits graduationattributes.Someonline courseshavebeencreatedbythe collegetotunethestudentstomeet thesegraduationattributes.The studentsareofferedbridgecoursesto fillthegapbetweentheacademicsin somecases.Theindustry-oriented coursesareofferedtothestudentsto bridgethegapbetweenindustryand academics.
Thecollegehasahistoryofrank holderstudentsforyearsinSPPU.The collegealsohasapolicytoencourage researchcultureamongteachersand students.Aunique ‘Yuva Sanshodhak’ schemeislaunchedbythecollegeto inculcateresearchattitudesamong students.Morethan75%ofstaff membersareinvolvedinresearch activity.Researchendeavourshave beengearedupinthelastfiveyears withincreasedparticipationofstudents andteachersinresearch,withagreater numberofmajorandminorresearch projectsbeingfundedbydifferent fundingagencies.
Kindlyshareyourviewsregarding interactive,onlineeducational contentandhowitisredefiningthe wayswelearn.
Ihaveanentirepaperpublishedonthis titled-‘FromGurutoE-Guru:Shifting ParadigmsinTeachingduringthe Pandemic’publishedinthebook, ‘COVID-19andHigherEducation: ChangingParadigmsandIssues’ (ISBN:978-93-91260-21-7).Inthis paper,Ihavelookedatthepositiveand negativechangesthathaveoccurred
withthenewpatternsofonline teaching,withacomparisonbetween Indiaandforeigncountries.Frommy firstjob,IhavebeenusingSmartclass andasacollegeteacher,touseOnline LearningManagementSystems.Apart fromthattheuseofonlineresources, softwareandappsdoesmakethe teachingfasterandreadilyavailable, butIalsofeeltherearerestrictionsto it.Ithelpstheteachersandstudentsto becometechnologicallyadvanced,but comingtotheoreticalsubjects,can causeobstaclesattimestoo.So,I wouldsay,Ifeelveryneutralaboutit.
Whatarethebiggestchallengesand strugglesfacedbyeducatorsin general?
ThisisalsosomethingIhave mentionedindetailinmypaper (mentionedabove):Ifeelwecanlook intothesechallengescategorizingthem intwosections-pre-CovidandpostCovid. Iwouldcommentonsomeof thepost-Covidchallengesingeneral whichIrealizedduringtheresearchfor mypaper-thatonlineteachingreduces the‘teacher-learnerconnect’thatwas presentintheregularofflinemodes. AnotherfactorthatIrealisedthatmany educatorsfacedwhileshiftingtoonline
Assistant Professor, Progressive Education Society’s Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce
mode,wastheunfamiliaritywith technology-usingappsandsoftwareitwasaneasytransitionformanyand thereasonsomehavequittheirjobs also.Notallarewellversedwiththe Englishlanguage,andunderstanding theusageoftheseapps/software, readinginstructionsandsoon,wasnot easy.So,althoughitisallgoodtosay thatonlineteachingandlearninghas itscharmandbenefitsinaglobalized era,italsohasitsdrawbackswhichthe educatorshavefaced.Institutesneedto understandthisandlendahelping hand.
Educationisconsideredatoolof empowerment.Whateffortsdoyou andtheinstitutiontaketomakesure thateducationisprovidedtothose whoneedit?
‘Everyone has the right to education,’ I andmyinstitute,stronglybelievein this.
Aseparate‘InternationalStudentsCell’ hasalsobeenestablishedfor84 Internationalstudentstoaddressall issuesrelatedtothem.Inordertoget placementopportunitiesforstudents andtoseekguidancefromthe industrialsector,an‘Industry
AcademiaCollaborationCommittee’is formed.Thecommitteetakesinitiative inholdingperiodicmeetingsofthe expertsfromindustry,students,and staffofdifferentdepartmentsofthe college.Similarly,specialcentresviz, ‘CenterforPromotionofResearch’, ‘CenterforTeaching,Learningand Evaluation’and‘Competitive ExaminationGuidanceCentre’have beenestablished.
Thelibraryinfrastructureisrenovated completely,andtheambienceofthe libraryisimprovedbymodern amenitieslikeinternet,accessing e-books,staffstudiessection,library website,librarye-bulletinandDigital LanguageLaboratoryhasbeensetup forenhancingcommunicationskills. Thecollegehasalsosubstantially increasedtheuseofICTfacilitiesin teaching,learning,evaluation,and administration.
NSSandPhysicaleducationunitshave beenadjudgedasthebestunitsunder SPPU,Pune,fortheacademicyear 2014and2016respectively.Physical educationissuccessivelyrecipientof thebestunitawardbySPPU.OurNCC cadetshavemaderemarkable achievements.Onestudenthasbeen awardedaprestigious‘PrimeMinister Trophy’beingthebestcadetattheallIndialevel.Inthelastfiveyears,three cadetsparticipatedinRepublicDay ParadeatNewDelhi.Twoofour studentswerealsoawardedthe‘Starof India’awardintheyear2013-14.The collegehasawell-establishedand activeAlumniAssociation.Many Scientists,IPSofficers,political leaders,industrialists,educationalists, artists,andarmyofficersareourpride alumni.
Resourcemobilizationfromvarious fundingagencieswastakenupasa majorstrategytoimprovethe
infrastructure,augmentteachinglearningfacilitiesandallocateprojects tostudentstomakelearningmore ‘studentcentric’.Thecollegewas giventhestatusof‘Collegewith PotentialforExcellence’bytheUGC in2011andiscontinuedin2017, whichgavemomentumtoallthe activitiesofthecollege.Thecollege wasalsoawardedDST-FISTby MinistryofScienceandTechnology, whichhelpedinenhancingthe infrastructureforresearch.
ProgrammeslikeDBT(Departmentof Biotechnology,MinistryofScience andTechnology)STARschemehave focusedonadditionalskill developmentamongstundergraduate students.
Whatadvicecanyougivetothose whowanttostepinthefieldof education?
Everyteacherpossessesspecial qualitiessothereisnoonewayof achievingsuccess.However,Iwould liketosaythatcertainteachersenter thefieldwithabiasoramindset,I wouldpersonallysaythatasateacher thatwillcreateobstacles.Teachingisa veryresponsibletaskasweshapethe futuresocietyofanation.Yes,teachers arehumans,andwemakemistakes,no doubt!Butwhatismoreimportantisto realize,rectifyandavoidrepeatingin thefuture.
Comingtomysubject,teaching Historyisnotaneasytask.So,to youngteacherswhowishtobecome academicians,Iwouldjustsaythis, firstlearntobeobjective,learnto acceptcriticismandopposingviews, becauseHistoryisacontroversialand complexsubject.Itcanbeauniting factorinsocietyandalsoadividing factor.Wehavestudentsfromall sectionsofsociety,andforthat,we needtoovercomeourbiasesandteach thefactsinamannerthatitdoesnot
becomeanissue.Also,assome teachersjustbelieveinproviding factualdetailsandmemorizingthem,it isessentialtomakethesubject interesting,appealingand understanding.Learningisnotjust memorizing,itisknowledge.Hence,I feel,noteveryonecanteachHistory.
Pleasesharewhatliesaheadforyou andyourinstitutioninthenear future.
Ialwaysbelievethatoneshouldnever stop,keepdoingsomething,keep developingyourself.Ihavemultiple hobbies,apartfromteaching,whichI dotorelax,theyinclude-music, poetry,dance,painting,sewing, makingcandlesandsoon.
Apartfromcollegework,Iwrite academicarticles/papers,butIamalso interestedinwritingfiction-short storiesandpoems,whichIpublishon onlineplatforms.Iamalsointhe processofpublishingsomeshort storiesandpoemsinanthologieswith variouspublishinghousesinandoutof India.Theyareallworksinprogress.
IalsoparticipateinWriting Competitions,nottowinbutto improvemywriting,asIhavebegunas anamateurwriter.Idonotcomefrom
aliteraturestreambutfromaSocial Sciencebackground,soitisnoteasy, butIstronglybelieveintheconceptof -‘practicemakesperfect’andonedayI willachievemydream-toauthortopsellingnovels.
Ihavetwodraftsready-onealmost readytosendandtheothernear completion,butasitisnotmyfield, Iamstillunderstandingthebasicsof publishingbeforesendingthemtoa publisher.Ontheprofessionallevel, Ifeeleachdaycallsforimprovement andIwillcontinuetostrivetodothe bestformeandmyinstitute.
Connectwithme: Facebook: @drpriyankajo20oremailmore.j.priyanka@gmail,com
Every teacher possesses special qualities so there is no one way of achieving success.
HHaveyoueverwonderedwhy manystudentsacrossthe worldandespeciallyfrom MiddleeastandAfricancountriesturn toIndiaforeducation?
Probablyitcouldbethequalityof education,theteachingsystems,the preparationofthestudentsortherole ofteachers.Indeed,teachershave playedapivotalroleintrainingthe studentseffectivelymakingthem successfulprofessionals.
Mothersareconsideredachild'sfirst teacher.Shetakescare,teachesushow totalk,feedsandmakesthechild awareofthevariousaspectsoflife.
Aswegrowup,weareadmittedtothe schoolwherewearetaughtbythe schoolteachersinvarioussections. Mostofusmighthavestudiedunder ladyteachersgivingustheirunique teachingskills.
Womenineducationarenotmerely confinedtotheroleofteachersbut havegrownintheirscopeand capacitiesinmuchhigherdomainsof lecturers,professors,researchers, programmanagers,organizersand ministersalso.
TheHumbleBeginning Womenhavedisplayedtheinnate qualitiesoflove,care,patience, consistencyandhope.Womenbegan theirrolesasteacherswiththeselfless objectivesofteachingandupbringing thestudents.Rememberthegolden daysofourchildhoodwhenthesariclad,tighthairbunadorning schoolteacherstaughtusdifferent subjectswiththestickandchalks. Thesestrictdisciplinariansworked withcompletededicationandpassion. Ourlifelonghabits,ourmoralsand beliefswereactuallyformedhere undertheirguidance.
Alloverthisisageneralobservationof largenumberofwomenteachersin mostschools.Theywereknownto managetheirroutinesthroughnarrow salaries,yettheyportrayedastoic figureofdiscipline,commitmentand focus.
TheDecisiveRole Womenmadestrictdisciplinarianswho handedoverpunishmentstotheerring
studentswiththesoleintentionof makingthemlearnproperly.Students' progresswastheonlyaspectof satisfactiontheynurtured.Formany decades,womenasteachershave shapedthemindsetofourgenerations. Theyhavebeenthetorchbearersin systematicteaching,motivation, subjectknowledgeandimportant moralvalues.
Womenareknowntobeamazing influencersthroughtheirunique teachingandconvincingapproach. Theyalwaysfocusedondeveloping goodreadinghabitsandnurturingthe cultureofpracticeandawareness, ratherthanjustfocusingongrades. Mindfulstudywithdeeperandclear understandingwastheirmethodof teachingwhichhelpedthemdevelop sharpperformingandresultoriented students.Womenteachersgarnered hugerespectduetothequalitiesand valuestheyimpartedtothestudents.
Unliketheparents,theseteacherskept thestudentsinaneducational associationwheretherewasa unilateralteachingapproachtoallthe students.Basicinstructionsonhygiene, discipline,subjectrecapitulationand memorizingtherulesweregiven.At theagewhenkidsarejustlearningto understandnewthingsaboutthe outsideworld,theytookupthe responsibilityofeducatingand imbibingpatriotism,humanvaluesand richculturalheritage.
Theywerespecificwiththeir instructionsandinstilledthesubjects throughsimple,interestingand engagingmethods.Thewomen teachersgavesomereal-lifeexamples whichmadethetopicseasyto understandandcorrelate.
Thetechniquesofroleplaying,and directquestioningkepteveryonealert, attentiveandinvolvedintheteaching process.Theymadeeveryonereadthe lessonthoroughlybeforestartingthe question-answersession.Theteachers showedtherightpathofunderstanding thequestionfirstthenidentifyingthe answer.
Womenhavebeenveryimportant contributorstooureducationsystem byadorningnumeroushatsofteachers, instructors,mentors,managers, principals,Deans,Chancellorsand manymore.Theirdisciplinedand organizedapproachtotheteaching professionraiseditsimportance, qualityandpurity Womenareperceivedtohave transformedthestudentsinto outstandingprofessionalsinvarious fieldsthroughtheirimportantvalue education.Apartfromthesubject knowledge,theyhavebeen instrumentalinmakingthemcapable thinkers,self-learnersandresponsible citizens.Itissaidthat"The future of any country depends upon the level of education of the people".Womenhave madephenomenalcontributionsto creatingwelleducatedandcivilized citizens,pavingthewayfornational growth.
-AshleshKhadse
Inaworldwherenewtechnologiesandeffective innovationsareincreasinglybeingappliedforeffective transformationintheeducationalsphere,aworld whereonlinelearningandanextensivevarietyoflearning stmethodsareavailabletothelearnersofthe21 centuryis thekindofenergeticdwellingwearelivingintoday.In today’sworldwheremassivetransformationineducation andteachingpedagogiesareapart-and-parcelofeveryday life,thereisapronouncedneedforeffectiveeducational leadership.
Effectiveeducationleadershipisincreasinglybeingviewed asthekeytofar-reachingeducationalevolution.Afterall,it isthestudentsoftodaywhoaregoingtoinherittheworld. Weneedleaderswhonotonlydirecttheresources, innovation,andthepotentialofthelearnersforthe bettermentoftheworldbutalsosetanexamplefortherest tofollow Weneedinfluentialeducationalleaderslike MeenakshiRamesh.
MeenakshiRameshistheDirectorforCurriculum, ResearchandDevelopmentof Vels Group of Schools Realisingthatcreativityandinnovationarefundamentalfor anycurriculum,includingacademics,MeenakshiRamesh contributedtothecreationofKindleKidsInternational Curriculum.
We,at The Knowledge Review magazine,arehonouredto bringyoutheinterviewweconductedwiththeeminent leaderandthecultivatededucator,MeenakshiRamesh.
So,sitbackaswepresenttheinterviewtoyouandrelish thewisdomyouareabouttoreceive.
Pleaseshareyourstorywithusandyourjourneyof becominganinfluentialeducationleader. Havingbeeninthefieldofeducationforthepast35years,I havehadtheexposuretoassumeavarietyofrolesand responsibilitiesasaLecturer,AcademicSupervisor, Principal,andCorrespondentofschoolscateringtofirstgenerationlearners.Withmystrongbeliefinenhancingand equippingskillsasanongoingprocess,tokeepabreastof thelatestknowledge,skills,andunderstandinginanyfield, Ialsosoughttotryoutthesewithaninternational curriculum.
Ifeelthatitismyresponsibilitytomotivate,guide,train, andhelpteachersandothercolleaguestoreflectonone’s practices.Ifeelthiswillbringinachangeintheindividual toworkwithadeepsenseof Choice, Commitment, Confidence, and Compassion.Ihavederivedimmense satisfactioninconductingmanyteachers’training workshops,symposia,andotheraspectsofteamlearning withteachers.Ialsostronglybelievethattheeducation systeminourcountryneedsapreciseparadigmshift towardshelpingchildrenbecomeself-engaged,selfresponsible,andself-researching.
TheelevationfromPrincipaltoDirectorwasablessingin disguise,whereIwasprovidedwiththegoldenopportunity totakeupalltheprojectsinadetailedmannerwhichIwas notabletodoasaprincipal.
Educationisavastareacomprisingofdifferenttypesof professionalsworkingtogetherasateamforaccomplishing acommonpurpose.Academicians,educationalists, teachers,andphilanthropicleaderscometogetherandget involvedinthisfieldtoprovidequalityeducationtothe childrenofthesociety.Here,Iinitiatedmycareerasa humbleteacher Ataparticularpoint,aftergaininggood experienceinteaching,Ipromotedmyselfasaneducation administrator
Onlookingbackatthe40yearsofexperiencethathas givenmeampleopportunitiesandloveablememories,Ican takethelegitimateprideinsayingthatthereisnoactivity connectedwithaneducationthatIdidnottouchuponinall theinstitutions,whereverIworked.
Alltheinstitutionshadgivenmeenoughfreedom,rich experienceandentrustedmewithallresponsibilitiesin whichIcouldgroundmyselfwithasenseofcontentment, commitmentandpleasure.Thishelpedmetobemyselfand hencecouldgivemybesttobeinlinewiththevisionofall theinstitutionsthatIwasassociatedwith.Nowitisalmost sixteenyearsofmyenrichingjourneywithVels
Pleasetellourreadersaboutyour institution/organisationandhowyoucametobe associatedwithit.
VelsGroupofInstitutions,apremiereducationalgroupin TamilNadu,runs36educationalinstitutionsinvariedfields with30,000studentsand6,000staffmembersinTamil Nadu,Telangana,London,andSingapore.TheInstitution offersanuninterruptedstudyforastudentfrom prekindergartentoPhDunderoneroof.
MyassociationatVelsstartedin2004-05whenItookover asthePrincipaloftheInternationalSchool.Fromthen onward,Ihavealwaysencouragedtheteachersandthe learnerstoprogressivelymoveforwardinthequalityof contentandmethodology.Undermyleadership,asthe DirectorofR&Dsince2018,theteamcouldsuccessfully launchanindigenouslydevelopedworld-classcurriculum–KindleKids–toenthusethechildrentoexplore,engage, experience,explainandevaluate.
I feel that it is my re onsibility to motivate, guide, train, and help teachers and other colleagues to refle on one’s pra ices. I feel this will bring in a change in the individual to work with a deep sense of Choice, Commitment, Con dence, and Compassion.
Whatlearningpractisesorpedagogiesdoyouthinkare mostneededintheeducationoutlookofthiscountry? Whichofthesepedagogieshaveyouincorporatedinto yourteachingpractices?
Insuchtestingtimes,weasaschoolhavetakenitupon ourselvestokeepourstudentsengagedandupdated.We conductonlineclasseswitheaseandhavelearntthe techniquesofteachingvirtuallytoourstudents.Reaching outtochildrenvirtuallyposesthechallengeoflackingeyeto-eyecontactandpersonalizedteaching.Anadded advantagetovirtualclassesisthefacilitationofself-paced learning,whichisconsideredratherdifficultinatraditional classroom.
1.Creativity–Theglobalmarketplaceismorecompetitive thanever.Understandingthis,ourcurriculumhasbeen designedtofosterthecreativityofourstudents:‘Kindle KidsInternationalCurriculum’tosuitthefoundational learningforthefirstfiveyearsandthepreparatoryyearsas pertheNEP2020.
2.Problemsolving–Ourgroupofschoolsprestigiously hostsmock‘ModelUnitedNations’thatstandsatestimony everyyearonourcampus.Thestudentsundertaketheentire responsibilitytoholdtheeventrightfromplanningupto thefinaleventoftheday Thiseventbringsoutyoung researchers,excellentspeakers,andgreatthinkersand momentstothinkandrelatetoworldissuesandsolutions.
3.CriticalThinking–‘Leader-in-Me-Programme’
conductedinourgroupofschoolshelpsustocreatearipple effecttoworksmarterandperformbetter.Studentsare encouragedtohonetheirleadershipskillsandarepresented withnumerouschancestoshowcasethesame.
4.Leadership–Wealsogiveopportunitiestoouralumni toguidestudentsandevenletthemteachhardconcepts. Thisbringsinafamilyculturethatisprevalentinour school.Thiscultureenablesustokeepparentsinvolved withusindevelopingtheirchildren.
5.Communication–Inschool,weworkingroupsto
producesolutionstothechallengesandproblemsweface. Facultytrainingandenrichmentseminarsareconducted frequentlytoenableteacherstobeupdatedandwellequippedwiththelatesttechnologyandteaching methodologies.
6.Collaboration–Workingingroupsisahallmarkofthe digitalage.Activities/orphanagevisits/donations/flood relieffunds/beachcleaningdrivesareamong otheractivitiesthroughtheInteractclubthat remindschildrenofgivingbacktosociety andstrengthenthefeelingofcommunal oneness.
7.Curiosity–Iamastrongbelieverthat withoutcuriosity,thereisnolearning.For me,Ialwaysexpectastudenttoexperiencea “WOW”moment,whichhappensthrough extendedlearningtosupporttheiracademic intereststhroughengagingprojectsand presentations.
8.Reflection–Bymakingstudents participateinnon-scholasticprojects, studentsreflectonthelearningtheyhave acquired.
WheredoestheEdu-TechSectorstandin thecountrytoday?Whatroledoyousee yourselfcanplayinthefutureofthisEduTechspace?
Fromruralblackboardsystemtoremote learning,allcannotexistconcurrentlyinthe fieldofteachingandlearning.Itishightime educationistsputtheirheadstogetherto standardizesystemsandprocedurestoreach farandwide.Newinventionsinscienceand technologyhavetobeassimilatedintothe fieldofeducation.Aseducationalists,wecan playaroleinsynthesizingthemwith technologicalupgradationsuitedtothe currentneedsofthestudentsandparents.
Also,industryandagriculturearegoingtobethebiggest beneficiariesworldwidebecauseofthesedevelopments. Theeducationalsectorisboundtocatertotheirneeds throughaninnovativesyllabustosuititsneeds.
Whatmakesyourinstitutestandapartfromother institutions/organisations?
• Highlychild-centricandchild-friendlyatmosphere
• Itismandatoryatallourgroupschoolstobring mentoringasaninteractivesystemforfastassimilation intotheschoolsystemfordevelopingalifelongcareer
• ContinuousProfessionalDevelopment–VSKILLthecentreforprofessionaldevelopmentatVELS providescontinuousprofessionaldevelopmentfor teachers.Asateam,itisourdreamtoexplorethe benefitsandchallengesofworkingwithschoolsin othercountriesandtoidentifywaysofeffectively supportingeducationforglobalcitizenship enhancementthroughoureducationalpractices.
• Todevelopnewteachingapproaches,facilitatingactive learningandreflectivepractice
• Giveanewdefinitiontotheentireteaching-learning process.
VelsGroupofSchoolsalwayscaterstotheneedsfor ‘GlobalCitizenshipeducation.Freedomtoplan,execute, andfunctionandencouragementtogoodactivitiesand reachouttoallstakeholdersneedconstantenergyand supportintermsofmoral,physical,andfinancialaspects.
AlltheseareprovidedbyourworthyChancellorofVels University–DrIshariKGanesh,Chancellor(Vels University)andChairman(VelsGroupofInstitutions), andDrArthiGanesh,Pro-chancellor(VelsUniversity) andManagingTrusteeVelsGroupofSchools.
Theinstitutionunderhisleadershipprovidesalotof opportunities,unstintedsupport,andguidancetoallthe staffatVelsGroupwhoworkcollaboratively Thisbringsin anawarenesstoconnect,commit,andtransformtobuild mutualrespect,shareknowledge,andgivequality outputintherespectiveareasofworkinthefield ofeducation. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” saidNelsonMandela.
TheVelsGroup,undertheleadershipofthe Chancellor,Pro-chancellor,Directors,and Principal’sworkwithasingle-mindeddevotionto accomplishthegoalsoftheinstitution;thatway,it isuniqueandstandsapart,withdistinction,from itspeerinstitutions.
