Prof. Jasmine Gohil is an accomplished architect and academician who currently serves as the Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Anant National University in India. She has a rich and varied experience in the field of architecture, having worked in different countries and on various projects ranging from housing to institutional buildings. She pursued her undergraduate studies in Architecture and pursued her postgraduate studies in Urban planning. She has over two decades' worth of experience in education and architectural practice, with over ten years as an academic at several architecture institutes. During her architectural practice, she worked on several projects ranging from small-scale residential projects to large institutional projects. She has been awarded the title of ‘Exceptional Woman of Excellence in 2017’ by the Women Economic Forum. Jasmine Gohil is the Associate Dean, of Academic Affairs and Professor of the School of Architecture at Anant National University. She has been active in contributing to the development of new teaching pedagogies and all-round development for students to become better professionals. She teaches various architecture courses and is especially interested in Design and Research thesis. Her students have participated in and won several awards in events such as NIASA, ARCHIPRIX, and NASA.

Anant National University

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

Since I have been a working professional for the past twenty years, one of my primary goals has been to give back to the community, and I can think of no better method to share my expertise than through teaching. I have always been a firm believer in the necessity of lifelong education and making sure that I am always up to date on the most recent developments. As a direct consequence of this, my work in the educational industry helps to keep me on the cusp of it.

Being the Associate dean of academic affairs, at Anant National University, what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

My philosophy of leadership is centered around transparency and open communication. Setting clear standards, assessing team members’ skills, and empowering them to make decisions and take ownership of their work are all things I believe in and have always yielded excellent results. As a leader, I believe in collaborative achievement while maintaining a positive and inclusive work environment by delegating duties to the right individuals with varied skill sets and providing them with the necessary assistance to achieve their goals.

The education systems in India and other foreign countries are structured very differently. In your experience, what can an inbound student gain from studying here in your institute/ university/ school?

The ideology of Indian Roots and Global Thinking distinguishes Anant National University from other educational institutions in India and around the world. The academic experience at the university focuses on developing the self with an empathetic lens that allows you to closely work for the betterment of the existing communities while simultaneously building domain expertise thanks to a diverse expert academic and leadership team that mentors students to become future leaders in their profession. National and international collaborations with institutes, organizations, and industry professionals provide student exchange opportunities, research undertakings, knowledge creation, and curriculum innovation thereby providing a unique learning experience offering students a local and global context. We also offer opportunities to work with craft communities. by undertaking various projects related to the community we provide an opportunity to work in the policy sector along with industry expert

How does the curriculum of Anant National University ensure the best practice of industry?

Anant University thinks that great designs necessitate a collaborative, diverse, and inventive approach in order to be effective. Our curriculum aims to prepare our designers to work across sectors by applying design thinking skills and developing practical yet sustainable solutions to crucial problems that touch people from all walks of life. Our emphasis on a mix of practitioners and academics ensures that our students gain a practical understanding of the industry, allowing them to be well-rounded individuals. The pedagogy also motivates us in cultivating in our students an empathetic approach, engage in critical thinking, and broaden their vocational knowledge.