Utmost attention has been given at VBS on how vulnerable aspects are been covered, says Associate Dean

Besides the curriculum, another essential component for students' industrial preparedness is the teaching approach or pedagogy. Vivekanand Business School recognises this and has established a learning atmosphere in which students are encouraged to think critically and express themselves in order to solve problems rather than gloss over them. Dr Laxmi Goritiyal, Associate Dean Finance at VBS, discusses numerous other measures implemented to help students become industry-ready in an interview with Shiksha.com.

Dr Goritiyal is an Academician, an Innovation Ambassador, NISM  NSE Trainer, Mentor, MHRD –IIC Convener, Senior faculty Incharge – National Innovation and Startup Policy. She has over 14 years of rich academic experience.

Read the complete interview below

Q: What are the salient features of the teaching methodology adopted by your college? How does this differ from others?

A: The aim of teaching at VBS is to make students learn in a manner that is well understood by them. Moreover, we work on how to apply the knowledge that they have gained, as at the end of the day they should know how they have to use the acquired knowledge practically in all avenues.

We at VBS, provide a broad context of knowledge within which the students can understand the content of their more specific studies. We create a learning environment where the students are encouraged to think carefully and critically express their thoughts and resolve their difficulties rather than gloss over them. We provide constant monitoring on teaching processes and student understanding so as to improve them.

For the overall development of students, we provide them knowledge practically with real-life experiences through case studies, field visits, interactive classes and real-time learning experiences.

Q: How are you preparing your students to be Industry ready?

A: The students at VBS are given complete leverage to think out of the box and use their knowledge practically so as to get a complete exposure in a nutshell of the outside corporate world. We organise events every quarter where the students are at the forefront to manage the complete event from the start till the end which gives them exposure to how to manage each and every aspect may it be planning, marketing, HR or execution.

While imparting knowledge to student’s utmost care has been taken so as to how tactically knowledge is been communicated to them to their level of understanding and with a commitment to encourage their independence. The teaching is done in such a manner so that they learn actively, responsibly and co-operatively and improvise themselves so as to the new and ever-changing demands of the industry. The core concepts are grounded well so the application of the concepts can be understood well by them and judged via assessments.

Real-time applicability of knowledge has been seen with real-time case study experiences discussions with students.

Utmost attention has been given at VBS on how vulnerable aspects are been covered as the end of the day they need to apply these practically to be industry-ready.

Q: What are the qualities you are looking for in student applicants? What qualities do they need to do well in your course?

A: The utmost important quality required by a student at VBS is his or her willingness to learn and their dedication towards what they learn. Moreover, the student should be enthusiastic towards his chosen subject as that will give the student greater encouragement to learn. Good spoken and written English adds a topping to the cake as English is a widely used language around the world and to flourish well one needs a good hold over the language. Independent Go-getter attitude is an attitude that we expect our students to show as that creates a different kind of wants for things that a student wants to achieve. Teams play an important role in building up of great projects, so an aspirant should be well adjusted and willingly work in teams with dedication and perseverance.

The qualities such as commitment, creativity, critical thinking, initiative by getting in new things, intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness and social consciousness are few qualities that are inbuilt, and they need to know well in advance.

Q: How do you ensure that your course curriculum is up to date and meets industry requirements?

A: The Curriculum is constantly updated as per the industry standards with regular research with industry experts. As per the requirements, new skills for students are being added to the curriculum. Even while teaching the subject matter the upgraded knowledge and the recent happenings of the particular subject matter are being imparted so that they get to learn how things are going about in the current industrial scenario. There are seminars and competitions set up at VBS which invite Industrial Experts who impart their knowledge on the current scenario in the industries.

Current scenario case studies are being discussed with students so that they wrack their brains and come up with logical and innovative solutions for the same.

At VBS we impart knowledge with logical learning in the current scenario.

Q: Is your college receptive to innovation, technology, science & entrepreneurship? How? Could you cite some examples of these?

A: Yes, our college is receptive to innovation, technology, science and entrepreneurship which can be seen with our tinkering labs and upcoming initiative of the incubation centre. At VBS, we always welcome wholeheartedly new innovative products. We also help our students with innovative business plans to start their startups. The Incubation centre, which will be supporting new and innovative business plans and support innovative ideas, is an example of our innovative side.