We Incentivise Students who Publish Research Papers & Patents, Says SSBSR Professor

In conversation with Shiksha.com, Dr Shyamal Kumar Banerjee, Professor at Sharda School of Basic Sciences and Research (SSBSR), Sharda University talks about new-age learning and teaching methodologies at the school. Dr Shyamal Kumar Banerjee has a bachelor's degree in Science and a postgraduate degree in Mathematics from Gorakhpur University.

• What is the difference between the teaching methodology in your institute and others?

In Sharda School of Basic Sciences and Research (SSBSR), Sharda University, the National Educational Policy (NEP-2020) has already been implemented and current edge innovative teaching methodologies are being used i.e.

• Experiential learning: To make the teaching-learning effective the lessons are given through personal experiences and students are assigned the activities such as peer learning, peer tutoring, problem-solving, and community connect, which help them in investigating, engaging and becoming responsible. This enhances their creativity and productivity.
• Differentiation: To make the learning environment conducive and enjoyable delivery of lectures and interaction is done based on each student's understanding level, which helps students grow at their own pace and perform best in their capabilities.
• Flipped Classroom: To avoid the pouring of whole learning content in class and to involve learners in posing questions flip mode is implemented so they can actively engage in class. It is a blended learning process; in this, we share the lectures outside the class time on iCloud for review by the individual students at home. Later, the classroom timings are scheduled for further discussion and problem-solving.
• Projects-Based Learning: It is one of the most effective methods of teaching based on working on projects. All the UG and PG students are assigned group and individual projects respectively to provide enough scope to the students to showcase their creativity and also learn how to work in a team with their fellow colleagues or stand-alone.
• Problem-Based Learning:  To encourage our students to put their best efforts into solving the assigned problems independently using some innovative skills the students are assigned case study, assignment and instrument troubleshooting activities. This provides the platform to develop confidence and also to increase the power of critical thinking in students.
• Thinking-Based Learning: To enhance planning skills students are asked to design experiments and themes are given to know their thoughts on various topics in the form of a presentation. Students are asked to organize various learning and gaming activities which involve critical thinking and execution.

      2.  How are you preparing your students to be industry ready?

The SSBSR take the students for industrial visit, incorporate the suggestions of an industry expert in curriculum designing, and involve students in industry-related project. In addition to this vocational lab, courses provide ample opportunities to learn industrial processes. During the vocational lab sessions, students will be trained on the latest software, real-life applications, industry updates, etc. University has separate Industry Integration & Knowledge Exchange Cell (IIKEC) which invite the industries to discuss their industry-related requirement and involve students in industry-related project.

SSBSR invite industrial expert to train students and to make them aware about industrial functioning. SSBSR also organizes industry-academia meet to bridge the gaps between academics and industrial process. Apart from it we have included industry connect as mandate to every student of SSBSR in to its curriculum. Through which students will be visit the industry through an allocated mentor to understand and study on real time issues.

We invite UG/PG students with Research & Entrepreneurial mind set to share their StartUp Idea. Besides giving up to 100% Scholarship & Seed Money, Sharda Launchpad Federation will nurture the innovative idea to success. Sharda Launchpad's mission is well recognised by the Govt. of India and some of it incubates have been selected to be assisted by INVEST INDIA - National Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

    3. What quality do your students have that other college student lack?

The students who pass out from SSBSR possess research skills, handy with various software and analytical instrument required for research in their respective fields of research. Many of them published high-quality research papers, joined industries, and went to higher studies in nationally and internationally renowned institutions.

   4. Do you think the curriculum of the courses taught in your institutes fits the industry's requirements?

The curriculum is designed after thorough discussion with industrial and academic experts. The curriculum is well aligned with the industry requirement as the industry-related projects, community connect projects, and vocational labs are the essential part of the curriculum. In addition, the school conducts value-added courses, and open elective courses which bridge the gaps between industrial and academic knowledge.

5. Is your college receptive to innovation, technology, science and entrepreneurship?

At the university level, there is a policy to provide incentives to UG and PG students for publishing research papers and patents. To promote research, innovation and entrepreneurship there are high-end research labs, intellectual property rights Cell, Sharda LaunchPad etc. Students are provided with seed funds and mentors to work on their start-up idea.