Prof. Dr. Raman Kr. Jha sir is a prominent academician with more than 32+ years of experience in the educational domain and is currently handling the position of Vice-Chancellor at ICFAI Jharkhand University. He has handled work related to Academics and Development, including the establishment of new institutions, starting new courses, curriculum development, teaching UG/PG Science students, B Tech and M. Tech students and research, education management at the level of engineering college and university, dealt with UGC, AICTE, Bar Council of India, MHRD Govt of India, NBA and NAAC. He was awarded his PhD in Theoretical Particle physics from the University of Delhi in 1997.

ICFAI University, Jharkhand

You have worked in various prestigious institutions and corporate organizations. What about ICFAI University Jharkhand excited you to accompany the institution on the journey?

Every journey one takes in life should be joyous and impactful in totality. Education space demands a sphericity of thought and action in different areas with the passage of time, and the human competencies required also keep changing with the emerging future. One looks for opportunities of freedom to impact self, family, society, region, nation and the globe at large. ICFAI brand represents a wholesome system of freedom of exchange of views, expertise, and best practices, adapting to new requirements, catering to all sections of society with a big aim to disseminate, create and enhance learning and harness existing knowledge with praxis.

How do you balance the academic needs of students and administration at the same time as a Vice-Chancellor?

To cater to the Academic needs of students, we need a close look at the curriculum design, pedagogy, contemporary needs of skill enhancements, communication, entrepreneurial and research acumen. These are monitored through an expert team of faculty, BoS and Academic Council with encouragement to continuous involvement in academic activities like Hackathons, competitions, seminars, webinars, workshops, publication of books and articles, conferences and all due incentives for their creativity and innovation. We have a sound feedback system to adhere to all quality standards. The whole environment is based on the Guru Kul pattern, which naturally makes administrative work a cakewalk once it is organized and implemented with a systemic free mind, heart and will together with students and faculty. The accelerated learning and assured individuated development with confidence make the University a place to serve mankind along with all stakeholders like faculty, industry partners and parents. The system of transparency and regular personal involvement with the aim of serving the students makes it happen. The balance is automated in the design and love of what one does in any profession.

We are in times where the dynamics of education and industries are rapidly changing. How would you ensure that the appropriate required changes are incorporated into the curriculum of the programs offered by the institution?

I am happy to inform you that at ICFAI, we have attempted to create an “Outreach & Knowledge sharing Centre” in partnership with the Industry where Industry experts will be involved in updating and generating equipped manpower suited to their Industries and also offer joint Professional Certification Programs for one full year in 4 modules. The effort is to include all University students of Jharkhand in these facilities. This will create an added interest and inflow of industries and opportunities for all seekers. These industry experts also form part of BoS, which update our curriculum and design to suit the student's individuated interest and Industry expectations in terms of knowledge, understanding, hands-on praxis with life skills and personality shaping done in as part of the curriculum.

What is your main emphasis on making ICFAI Jharkhand stand out and excel in all ways compared to other institutions in the country?

The main emphasis is four-fold and includes problem-solving acumen with complete clarity of domain knowledge and practical skills. Understanding the importance of self-management through curriculum, care and continuous involvement of the faculty advisory scheme is also our main key. This also is aided by lectures and practical sessions on Gaan-cultural activities, Gyaan-knowledge seeking and sharing, Vigyaan-scientific thinking with reasoning and Dhyana- Meditation and yogic exercises.

Working with people by creating an internal welcoming environment and making them acclimatized to industry and outside world real situations through training on skill enhancement and communication, celebrating regional festivals and encouraging multilingual teaching and learning. Comprehensive exposure to technical know-how, its usage, its development in our innovation and incubation labs, and continuous industry interactions through professional Certification programs, seminars and workshops.

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Can you describe the challenge of being in a Vice-Chancellor role and how you successfully manage it?

This role is full of opportunities to impact all dimensions of social development. If only one is at a higher level of leading consciously, one can see through an individual’s limitations and suitability for the University. Every student and faculty has the potential to create and innovate if they are accepted as they are and groomed in a very subtle manner without any force or domination. Everyone wants to seek the highest, and their accomplishments have to be brought home through University engagements. Since our education system lacks the aspects of this interdependence on existence and is more tilted towards the creation of name, fame, wealth, physical accumulations, etc., we lay low importance on openness at the level of mind, heart and will for all fellow beings. If only we begin our present planning activities considering our emerging future, the challenge becomes fun and gives a sense of satisfaction as life.

How does ICFAI Jharkhand leverage the use of the latest technology for teaching methods to give practical learning experiences to the students?

The curricula include the latest modules of emerging technologies either as professional certification programs or as core courses. Some have been added as electives to be picked from a pool of subjects. Comprehensive exposure to technical know-how, its usage, its development in our innovation and incubation labs and continuous Industry interactions through professional Certification programs, seminars and workshops make an excellent impact. Use of ICFAI University Jharkhand, Swadhyaya, as a portal of all lessons uploaded for reference digital library access is made for all students and faculty. The student information system uses all entries related to student life on the University campus and beyond. Technology usage forms one of the four main pillars of the ICFAI strategy.

What are the norms or strategies you follow when hiring a faculty into the organization?

Faculty forms the fulcrum of the total kinematics, and therefore, their selection has several required ingredients to be tested before hiring: The domain knowledge depth, PhD from a reputable institute, NET/SET/SLET, etc., Communication skill, personality, willingness to be a teacher and learner for life, higher value systems engrained with a positive frame of mind and belongingness makes the partial list. Their Research originality, curiosity to learn and contribute and being with people matter supreme in our faculty selection process.

What is your vision for the future as a Vice Chancellor of ICFAI Jharkhand University in terms of enhancing the higher education offerings and improving the quality of the institution?

A vice-chancellor is a teacher and the person who leads the University with complete spherical thinking, waxing and waning from the core values (truth) to the emerging future with uncertainty, scanning all aspects to enhance higher education space impacting students, faculty, society, region and the nation with possibilities of global presence and significance in terms of the University outcomes. The efforts are directed to fill all possible gaps, from the enlightened stage of self to the present realities with real-time gaps, keeping abreast with best practices and financial health. The new generation’s needs and expectations, fast-changing technology space, eroding value systems, and politico-economic situations dictate the following strategy for quality institution building. Accelerated Learning through “Learning Technology” using an inside-out approach to achieving the highest individuated outcomes. Emphasis on Analytical and critical thinking for complex problem-solving in respective domains. Creating an environment to retain curiosity, originality and initiative. Ideation and Entrepreneurial venture encouragement with full support for start-ups. We are working on creating Social leaders with resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility and hand-in-hand with Industries, collaborating with universities and using modern technological advancements. Working on Faculty Development and administrative skill enhancement for the wholesome development of the university.