Dr Rina Rani Rath is the Professor and Principal at Roland Institute of Technology Berhampur. She is an experienced professional with experience of over 33 years. Dr Rath has been associated with the Roland Institute of Technology since 2001 besides also working at P.A.N. College, Bankoi, Khurda. She holds an M.Tech. M.Sc., M.Phil, and a PhD in Mathematics. Dr. Rath’s areas of specialisation are in FORTRAN IV Programming and Operation Research. Besides her academic work, she is a published author of a book entitled ‘Operations Research’, published by Bhavya Publications, New Delhi.

ROLAND INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

What are the interventions you bring in apart from the curriculum to train the students?

We have included a wide range of projects and activities in our program that are related to academics. They have an application-based focus for the benefit of the students. The list of activities included are documentaries, logbooks, live initiatives, and blog writing. Additionally, we also have courses that incorporate peer evaluation, where students critique one another’s work. This has been done to promote a more learner-centered atmosphere. Furthermore, we also have many worthwhile courses that are offered outside of academic plans.

How have universities and business schools adapted to the disruption caused by COVID-19?

As Covid-19 disrupted our institutes, we adapted by switching to mixed learning. As an educational institute, we hope to become more agile and adaptable in the coming years. We were already providing a hybrid form of education for ten years. However, with covid, our education system received more attention and we switched to an offline mode full-time.

I think hybrid higher education is the way of the future. Online education will eventually become a crucial part of the ecology of higher education. I feel all universities and business schools should combine online and in-person learning into their curriculum.

What do you think should be the College’s top priority over the next 10 years?

Our primary concern, at present, is ensuring that there are no errors or statements during our work process. We want our decision-making process and workflow to be seamless. Towards this end, we are advocating for all students and staff members to work closely together. Working collaboratively and in a supportive environment would it be possible to reach new heights.

As a move towards this goal, we are integrating technology into our curriculum and course delivery. We are training our faculty members and including skill-based courses. Our students are also being encouraged to take up collaborations and network with experts. Through all of these and more, we will surely achieve an envy worthy standing among other educational institutes soon.

What do you see as the department’s greatest strengths?

We have taken great care to upgrade our infrastructure. We have high-tech classrooms, modern teaching labs, and well-stocked roomy libraries among our infrastructure and educational resources. In addition to this, we have microphones, smart boards, and other teaching aids in all classrooms, lecture halls, and conference rooms. Our students have access to a high-speed Wi-Fi connection throughout the campus. Finally, I believe our greatest strength lies in our team of committed, knowledgeable, and experienced faculty members. We have tried to keep our faculty-to-student ratio constant at 1:15.

What are the interventions you bring in apart from the curriculum to train the students?

Besides our course curriculum, the institute has included several interventions that are meant to train the students. These initiatives are more application based and are aimed at providing a dynamic education to the students. We organize numerous projects and activities throughout the year that foster a deeper understanding of the subject and promote skill development in the students. We use documentaries with real-life examples to teach our classes. Our students, in addition, maintain a logbook that marks their progress in academics and personal growth. Students even take part in peer evaluation and provide critique besides having the option of enrolling into additional credit courses.

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How does the curriculum of your department ensure the best practice of the industry?

We have a dedicated group of current students, graduates, eminent academics from recognized universities, and business leaders who keep the curriculum up-to-date and pertinent. This group is given access to some of the best practices used during the academic year. Students are also highly encouraged to participate in specialised debates, hackathons, and studios for the growth of technology. We also have students submitting capstone projects that are evaluated by people in business and academia.

How do the alumni relations benefit the university and in what ways?

Alumni members are important stakeholders in any academic institution. No institution has ever achieved its full potential without alumni support. Indian foundations rank low on the global scale because they haven’t fully harnessed the potential of the graduate class’s creativity for improving institutional operations. We, on the other hand, are harnessing this force and using it to encourage the desired collaborative, unconventional innovative thinking among university students, alumni, and professors to reach our goals.

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

It is essential to have self-assurance and confidence in your capabilities if you want to be successful in life. To achieve your goal, maintain a spirit of bravery and unity. Make an effort not to be afraid of disillusionment, to learn from them and to never lose hope. To achieve your ideal goals, be sufficiently committed and investigate all options.