Mrs. Jyoti Patwa is an Assistant Professor of Commerce at the Astral Institute of Technology and Research. For the past 26 years, she has been working in fostering intellectual growth and communication skills among her students. Mrs. Patwa joined Astral Institute during the Covid pandemic in September 2021 and has been taking online classes since then.

Assistant Professor-Commerce

What are your roles and responsibilities?

I have numerous roles and responsibilities in this institute. I oversee discipline, cultural programs, and activities. Additionally, I manage examinations, including Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Madhya Bharat Vidyalaya and Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya exams. It's a comprehensive role that encompasses all these areas. While I wouldn't call myself a one-man show, I contribute significantly to the team effort.

What is your philosophy of leadership?

Being friendly is essential when dealing with students. If you constantly scold them without being approachable, it's challenging to build a connection. In college, strictness alone is not effective. Students are more likely to listen and cooperate when they feel comfortable and friendly with you. As a parent with two grown-up sons, I've learned that being friendly is key to students opening up about their problems and doubts. A good leader knows how to balance friendliness with getting work done efficiently. It's important to understand the child's perspective and create a supportive environment where they feel comfortable sharing their concerns. Empathy plays a crucial role in this process. While I believe in being strict, when necessary, it's important to adapt your approach based on the situation. Ultimately, our actions as educators should be geared towards the well-being and development of the students. Building a friendly and empathetic relationship with them is crucial for identifying and addressing any challenges they may face.

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Which extracurricular activities are organised in your institute for students?

We are constantly engaging in field projects and internships. Recently, we visited Sanchi and we are now planning a visit to Dainik Bhaskar to expose students to the industry. Whether I am a B.Com. faculty member or an M.B.E. faculty member, we cannot predict where opportunities will arise for the students in the future. Hence, we are planning field projects to broaden their awareness. For instance, during one project related to cybercrime, we took students to Machal village to educate them about cyber threats, which is crucial in today's digital age when every child is tech-savvy and is constantly connected to the internet. We have also conducted road shows in collaboration with the traffic police to raise awareness about road safety and traffic rules. In addition to these initiatives, we celebrate festivals like the kite festival and Diwali, where students participate in activities such as diya decoration. We also invite external speakers for activities like yoga sessions and invite RTO officers to guide students in obtaining licences and understanding traffic signals to prevent accidents. Moreover, we offer various courses such as AIDR, AIPS, and AIBM tailored to different departments to ensure students receive comprehensive benefits and are aimed at enhancing students' awareness of various issues, promoting safety, and providing them with valuable skills and knowledge.

What are the placement opportunities available for students in your institute?

Placement opportunities are excellent at our college, as we have a dedicated group managed by our placement officer, Mr. KamleshMandloi,i who is in constant communication with us. However, some students who are already employed or for other reasons, cannot connect with us are also part of this group. It's important to note that this group is not limited to only students from our college; it includes a diverse range of individuals, like alumni. We have established partnerships with numerous companies, such as Infosys, Ranbaxy, Suzlon, and Videocon, among others, where many of our students have secured placements. These partnerships have facilitated numerous successful placements for our students.

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

Students, post-COVID, may feel a bit demotivated, thinking that everything will be easy and they won't need to put in much effort. However, I'd like to suggest to students that without hard work and perseverance, they won't achieve significant results. Even if they do achieve results without effort, those results won't be long-lasting. If you want enduring success, you must put in consistent effort. Everyone starts with small tasks and earns enough for basic living, but as responsibilities grow, so must one's efforts. The main message for students is that although they may have lost time during COVID and managed to survive, that approach won't suffice anymore. There's intense competition, and to succeed, they need to put in continuous effort.