We Use Multiple Teaching Pedagogies, says Dean of School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Prof Ashok H.S., Dean and Professor, School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, talks about multiple teaching pedagogies that are used in classroom teaching catering to individual differences among learners. Students are selected based on initial screening and provided with academic counselling at regular intervals to facilitate the learning and holistic development of the students.

Prof Ashok is currently positioned as Dean and Professor at the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Chanakya University. Prof Ashok is a distinguished Teacher, Trainer, Counsellor and Researcher. His specialization is in Psychometric analysis, Research methodology, and Indian psychology. As an honorary professor at CESS, Prof. Ashok led a project on Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Education.

Q1. What are the three things that your institute/college/university is doing that will enable it to differentiate itself from the competition?

Chanakya University is the pioneer in implementing NEP2020 with an emphasis on Liberal Education. Students have a wide range of courses to opt for that will ensure the holistic development of students. Faculty has the academic freedom to curate programs that are more current and suitable for the industry. Students are selected based on initial screening and provided with academic counselling at regular intervals to facilitate the learning and holistic development of the students.

Q2. What are the top three initiatives undertaken by you that are helping your students become more industry ready?

Multiple Teaching pedagogies are used in classroom teaching catering to individual differences among learners. Guidance is given for internships at Industries based on the interest and aptitude of the students.   Students are trained in academic writing which would enable them to publish their projects/dissertations in reputed journals.  

Q3. What are the key attributes that a student should have in order to

1. 1. Qualify for your institution.
      1. Passion to learn.
      2. An open mind to experiment.

• Proven previous academic performance.

1. Get top grades in your institution.
   1. Questioning and getting feedback.
   2. Active participation in all the activities of the University

• Career orientation

Q4. Which programme/s would you say is/are your best? What is it that helps your institution differentiate itself for this programme?

Almost 50% of the program is dedicated to achieving the holistic development of the individual. These courses are curated to sensitize students towards community needs and current socio-economic concerns.  In addition, research skills, self-management skills, and rural immersion programs are well integrated before one completes the academic tenure in the university.  Based on individual differences students are given the opportunity to learn at their own pace either by choosing the Fast track or slow track.  

Q5. What are you doing to improve/drive better campus placements for your current students and alumni? What kind of jobs routinely come to campus? What would you say are the key recruitment trends for your college (observed over the past five years)?

A longer duration of internships and selection of problems for their research projects/dissertations based on the needs of the industry will make the students ready for employment. University has among its faculty professor of practice who carry their rich professional experience to the classroom which would benefit the students to link the theory to practice. Organizing frequent interactive sessions with the subject matter experts and professionals in the form of webinars, and workshops would benefit the students.