Dr. Shishir Jain is the Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Dean Student Welfare, and Controller of Examinations at Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya Indore. He has extensive academic and administrative experience in higher education and is recognized for his contributions to Mathematics and research development. Dr. Shishir Jain is a Gold Medalist in M.Sc. and M.Phil from Devi Ahilya University and completed his PhD in 2006 under the guidance of Dr. Bijendra Singh from Vikram University, Ujjain. His research interests include Functional Analysis and Fixed Point Theory, with 48 international research publications to his credit. He has presented papers at various national and international conferences and serves as reviewer and editorial board member for several academic journals, including the Journal of Indian Academy of Mathematics (IAM). Dr. Jain has also contributed significantly to institutional administration as Chairperson of the Board of Studies (Sciences) and member of the Academic Council and Board of Management. He is actively involved in examination management, student welfare, academic development, and research activities at the university.

Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya Indore

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What keeps you connected with the Education Sector and how has your experience been so far with the institute?

Education sector is distinct from other sector in the sense that it gives you the opportunity to see when the latent abilities of a learner turn into his or her purposes. What motivates me is the vibrant nature of the youth with their energy and changing outlook, and this provides motivation for me. It is very exciting being in SVVV, since it creates an environment where one can learn through experience, an aspect I highly value.

Being the DEAN (Students welfare), what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

As a Dean of Student Welfare, my foremost duty will be to take charge of the students' welfare for their holistic development. In addition to the conventional administrative duties of a dean, I shall have the duty to ensure safety and stimulate the student community. This will entail handling student complaints, taking care of extra-curricular activities, and ensuring there is a two-way communication between students and the management.

How do you strategize about the key programs and plans for the marketing and administration of your Institution being the DEAN (Students welfare)?

Our entire plan is based on being authentic. Regarding administration, I place importance on "Student-Centric Governance" to ensure our procedures are efficient. As far as marketing goes, we think our students are the best representatives of our institution. We share success stories, collaborations with industries, and what sets SVVV apart by being multidisciplinary. By concentrating on our students' experience, the brand builds itself on merit.

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

Of course, we believe that our college is a life lab for us all. In a number of tech festivals, cultural clubs, and social activities, students get knowledge of leadership skills, empathy, and how to manage crisis situations. Moreover, we encourage students to participate in national-level hackathons and competitions that make them deal with “wicked problems.”

How do you try to bring in practical approach towards subjects and make it industry oriented?

Learning shifts from the whiteboard to the “work-board.” This is done by mandating internship programs, factory tours, and “Expert Sessions” where seasoned professionals provide insight into latest industry trends. We ensure our labs have a setup similar to today’s industries, and we stress project work, whereby the learner develops a practical solution that conforms to industry standards.

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

While competition is an undeniable fact of life, we train our students not to compete but to concentrate on becoming competent rather than comparing themselves with others. We ensure that our students have access to comprehensive career guidance and psychological assistance, enabling them to develop mental toughness. This approach allows us to instill a "Growth Mindset" within them and teach them that failure is simply information for growth.

How does the institute enhances the skills of the faculty and prepares them according to the industry standards?

It is crucial for an educator to always be a learner first. Our institution encourages all our teachers to participate in Faculty Development Programs (FDPs), publish papers, and offer consultancy services to industries. Offering rewards to obtain new certificates and participate in international conferences helps keep them abreast with what is happening in their area of specialization, which is beneficial to their students.

What would you like people to know about your institute they may not know?

Our physical structure may be visible to people; however, our level of mentoring may not be as apparent. In SVVV, the very human side of us that goes beyond the academic challenge exists. We have a strong "Vaishnavite" tradition of humility and service, which ensures that what we produce are not only successful individuals but also socially responsible citizens.

What do you see as the greatest strengths of SVVV, Indore ?

Our greatest strength is undoubtedly the multidisciplinary environment that we offer. The possibility of interaction with students from such diverse disciplines as Forensic Science, Agriculture, Designing, and Engineering all under one roof is an extremely positive aspect. Moreover, our strong industry alliances and value-based approach ensure that the overall environment here is very down to earth and futuristic at the same time.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see, both for higher education in general and for SVVV, Indore specifically?

Overall, the key challenge lies in the fast pace of technology becoming obsolete; staying abreast with technology within the curriculum is a competition in itself. In the case of SVVV, the challenge comes in the form of maintaining a personal approach while scaling up. Ensuring that every student continues to be seen and heard is what matters the most.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

And my simple piece of advice would be: always be open to learn and curious to try something new, remain humble, and never be afraid to fail. Utilize your college years for exploration. Focus not only on getting a degree but also on creating a skill set and mind-set that will be your biggest advantage in a world governed by algorithms.