Dr Sangeeta Bhogal, Assistant Professor at ICFAI University has 5 years of experience with reputed industries and educational institutions. She holds an MSc degree along with Ph.D. and M.Phil. She has worked in several areas of interest are in Inorganic Chemistry, nanomaterials, and Photocatalysis. Not only has she received invitations for industry and institute events as a subject matter expert but she also published about 10 papers and presented about 08 papers at reputed international conferences - organized by reputed business schools. Also, Dr. Bhogal has successfully organized different conferences and FDPs over the course of her career. 

ICFAI University, Himachal Pradesh

Being a faculty of the department, what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

As a faculty member of the department, my primary responsibility towards the students is to ensure that they receive a quality education. I am accountable for monitoring and maintaining student discipline and conduct, including attendance, and ensuring that the institution’s decorum is being upheld. My role also entails monitoring teaching methods as per the prescribed curriculum and institutional methodology standards suggested by the University, AICTE, or the management.

How do you tend to establish healthy relationships with the students and fellow faculty?

To establish healthy relationships with students, I believe it’s essential to develop positive discourse. I make an extra effort to develop and sustain healthy and friendly relationships with students that need more attention by establishing a sociable relationship with them. With my fellow faculty, I ensure that I am trustworthy, approachable and also ready to offer support. I listen to colleagues and always ask questions to show that I value their opinions and show support by offering help, respecting boundaries, and being authentic.

What are the best practices offered by the department to the students which help them gain necessary skills?

The department has adopted numerous practices that aim to help students learn new skills. Our department offers cross-functional learning, holds case analysis and tutorials, student mentorships, college-to-corporate talk sessions and more. We pay special attention to polishing the student’s transferrable soft skills through activities like English proficiency tests, aptitude tests, group discussions, and other activities. These skills are required not just by the student’s chosen industry but most other corporations as well.

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How do you strategize the curriculum and how often does it get updated to make it befitting for the students?

To strategize the curriculum, I first label the vision, focus, objectives, and student needs. Thereafter, I identify the available resources and try to develop experiences to help me in meeting my objectives. I collect and devise materials, lock down the specifics of my task, develop plans, methods, and processes, and create unique student experiences. To update the curriculum, furthermore, I set concrete goals, ensure the information is up-to-date, prioritize utilizing new technology, tailor the curriculum to meet virtual or in-person needs and be deliberate with my time.

What are your views on the placements and higher education about the students from your department or how does your department prepare students for Higher education?

The ICAFAI University’s placement cell plays a vital role in bridging the gap between the student’s skills and the industry’s expectations by providing necessary training and development sessions. The cell has a comprehensive training structure that is based on current industry trends and imparts skill sets such as communication, leadership, or any specific skill related to the student’s area of interest. Apart from the academic skills, the placement cell also grooms the student’s personalities in terms of their way of communication, dressing, and soft skills. The placement cell organizes a “finishing school program”; that addresses job search issues such as resume preparation, mock interviews, group discussions, aptitude tests, and personality development. To prepare students for higher education, the department ensures that students leave higher education with the knowledge and abilities required to be successful in the workforce.

How do you help your student to cope up with the competition being so high in the outside world?

It is the role of the faculty and the placement to prepare students face fierce competition in the outside world. To help my students cope with the competition in the outside world, I make an effort to praise them when they make an effort and encourage them to ask for help when needed. I also try to improve their teamwork and collaboration skills, provide intrinsic motivation, teach them to deal with challenges and promote mental toughness.

Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to real-world challenges?

Our university offers various extracurricular activities that are designed to enhance students skills and expose them to real-world challenges. Engaging in such activities is not only enjoyable for the students but also beneficial to their social development. These group activities help build teamwork and communication skills, which are essential for success in the workforce and other future endeavours. Some of the extracurricular activities we offer include quiz competitions, group discussions, sports, music, dance, and yoga. These force the individuals to think critically, learn time management, and develop a analytical mindset.

What are the responsibilities of a faculty member towards students in their department?

As a faculty member, it is important for me and my team members to maintain discipline and ensure that students adhere to the institution’s decorum and attendance policies. Additionally, I try to have an effective teaching style that is according to the curriculum and teaching methodology suggested by the university or governing body.

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How can a faculty member establish healthy relationships with students and fellow faculty members?

To establish healthy relationships with students, faculty members have to develop positive communication with difficult students. Having an open line of communication that supports open dialogue is key to a supportive environment. Faculty members must be respectful, approachable and have a sense of empathy when interacting with the students. Being consistent in their efforts will help to gain the student’s trust. There must also be a system of feedback for both parties to work on their shortcomings. Moreover, there is a friendly atmosphere when there is scope for professional development for both teachers and faculty members.

What are the challenges your department has faced or is currently facing in improving the quality of education, and how have you addressed them?

Since the time of its inception, the university has faced numerous challenges. The most prominent ones would be ensuring equal student access to diverse learning opportunities. We have put in a system of continuously managing and monitoring the student's learning progression. With such a large diverse student population, dealing with student heterogeneity is a problem. We handle this by fostering a strong commitment to learning and personal development and encouraging effective teamwork. We actively promote parent and community engagement to remove any communication barriers. We have also integrated new technologies into daily practice and teach the students to navigate professional responsibilities and dilemmas.