Dr. Asha Verma has been working as the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean at Law School, IILM University, Gurgaon, Haryana. She is also an alumnus of the Department of Law at Kurukshetra University Haryana. She has a rich 20 years of experience in the field of academics as a Teacher and Researcher. She has also published many articles in leading journals and presented research papers at more than 85 national and international conferences and seminars. She has worked on many projects and collaborated with reputed NGOs. In addition to this, she is one of the judges for the Indian and International rounds of the Madhav Menon SAARC Moot-Court Competition. She is also a member of professional bodies like the All-India Law Teachers’ Congress, The Indian Society of Labour Economics, the Australian Labour Law Association Melbourne and the Asian Association of Law Professors Kathmandu etc. Her area of interest includes Labour Laws, Human Rights, Environmental Law, Law of Contract, Constitutional Law, Law on Copyright and Research Methodology.

IILM LAW School (IILM University)

Being the Pro-Vice Chancellor of IILM University, what is your philosophy of leadership?

I regularly involve my team members in the decision-making process as it leads to more creative solutions and higher levels of engagement from everyone who works with us and works for us. And sometimes, I become a transformational leader and regularly inspire and motivate my team to achieve a common goal and this in return results in higher levels of job satisfaction and increased productivity. and I firmly believe that effective leadership requires a combination of strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and effective execution of plans and programs together with a balance between different leadership styles and adapting to the needs of the situation and team. 

How do you strategize the key programs for the marketing and administration of your institute?

It is important for university leaders to have a clear understanding of the institution's mission and values, as well as the needs and aspirations of its stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and the wider community. Hence at first, we conduct rigorous research and analysis of trends in the higher education sector and then engage ourselves in dialogues with stakeholders to gather feedback and insights. After this, we develop such strategic plans that are aligned with our institution's goals, objectives and priorities, as well as the strategies and tactics that will be used to achieve them. In other words, we set clear targets to enhance our students' enrollment, improve our academic quality and research work, upgrade the resources and infrastructure of college and increase our partnership with our industry partners as all are needed to achieve our goals.

How does the curriculum of IILM University ensure the best practices of industry?

IILM University has established partnerships with industry organizations and businesses to develop and implement a curriculum that reflects current industry practices and needs such as collaboration on research projects, internships and other experiential learning opportunities. And we have an Industry Advisory Board made up of professionals and experts to provide guidance on curriculum development, ensuring that it stays relevant to industry trends and developments. Apart from this, we invite guest speakers and industry experts to speak in classes and seminars that we organize on a regular basis to provide valuable insights to students about the current state of the industry, as well as their emerging trends and best practices. And the learning opportunities are not restricted to students only but we also provide appropriate training programs and professional development sessions to our teaching staff so that they remain up-to-date with the latest happenings and trends of the corporate world and incorporate the same in their teaching methodologies. Lastly, we conduct review meetings with our students, faculty members and industry partners to take feedback from them about changes required to be done in the curriculum to make it up-to-date and industry oriented.

How is your university more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for students of different races and economic backgrounds is a critical aspect of any university's mission. Hence, we provide all kinds of support for professional development of students and recruit such teachers and staff members who come from a variety of racial and economic backgrounds, to create a more welcoming environment for students in our college campus. Apart from this, financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants and other aids is provided to students coming from lower-income backgrounds so that they can continue their education without any difficulty or disturbance. Also, we regularly organize mentorship programs and cultural events to bring our students together, help them connect with each other and create a sense of belonging among them and we also have strict and clear policies and procedures in place to address incidents of discrimination or bias.

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

As we all know that technology is constantly evolving, and universities need to keep up with these changes to ensure they are meeting the needs of students. Hence in upcoming years, we should focus on investing in new online learning platforms and digital resources as well as providing required training to faculty and staff on how to use these technologies effectively. In addition to this, we should focus on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion across all aspects of the institution by increasing the faculty, staff, and students from all sections of society and implementing the policies and programs that support the success of underrepresented groups. And because research and innovation are the key drivers of progress and economic growth, and universities play a critical role in advancing these areas. So we should also prioritize investing in research infrastructure, supporting faculty and student research and developing partnerships with industry and government to advance innovation on campus. Last but not the least, Universities should prioritize leveraging their research and teaching expertise to find solutions to pressing societal challenges including climate change, inequality and public health. 

When you first came to IILM, what was your vision for the university and how far have you come in implementing that vision?

My immediate objective when I first joined IILM was to establish the visibility of the institution and enhance its reach and popularity among our future potential students. And to make this goal true, we are using an amalgamation of best practices, where our first approach is to ensure that our students become ambassadors of our institution through their performances on esteemed platforms and we also conduct various academic events which bring best learning experience and exposure for our students in return. Also, multiple stalwarts from the legal field and otherwise were kind enough to interact with our students which has further opened up the horizons for our institution. And in the upcoming time, our goal would be to maintain the same momentum while we scale up the level of exposure and skill enhancement for our students.

What biggest challenges do you see, both for higher education in general and for IILM University specifically?

In my opinion, rising cost of tuition and associated expenses and decreased public funding for higher education has made it increasingly difficult for many students to afford a college education. And as technology is changing rapidly, universities must adapt to keep up which not only include implementing new technologies in the classroom and online but also addressing the challenges that come with the increasing use of technology, such as cyber threats and privacy concerns. So that's another roadblock other higher education institutions and IILM needs to address on an earliest basis. In addition to this, more students from diverse backgrounds are enrolling in college nowadays and Universities must adapt and adjust their educational practices and standards in accordance with changing needs and expectations of these students who usually come from lower-income backgrounds or are first-generation students and students with disabilities.

And at IILM we cater to the needs of the researcher through resources or funds. Still, as a private university, we sometimes feel that funding for research has become increasingly competitive.

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

I would like to advise my dear students and ambitious youths of our society to set realistic goals for them and create a proper plan to achieve the same. Also, stay focused and motivated to ensure you are making progress towards your goal, be open to new opportunities and experiences, both in and outside of the classroom by doing internships, volunteer work or enrolling yourself in study abroad programs. These experiences will help you gain valuable skills and knowledge as well as broaden your perspective. And as we all know, good study habits are essential for success in college life and beyond, so try your best to stay organized, manage your time effectively and seek help when you need it. Also, networking is important for building connections and finding opportunities, so attend events, connect with professionals in your field of interest and build relationships with your professors and classmates, as they may be valuable resources in the future. Last but not the least, stay up-to-date with current events and trends in your field of interest, develop new skills and learn the latest technologies, take good care of yourself, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and seek immediate support if you are struggling with mental health issues.

What are some plans that you are currently designing for IILM University international affairs and students?

We are in the process of initiating study abroad programs, which will allow our students to spend a semester or year studying at a university in another country. And these programs will not only provide them valuable learning opportunities but also help them to immerse themselves in a different culture and gain international experience. Apart from this, we are working to give dedicated support services to international students for their visas, housing and adjusting to a new life in a new country so that they feel welcomed and supported on campus. We are also planning to host and participate in international conferences and events in order to give opportunities to our faculty and students to connect with scholars from around the world, exchange knowledge and share their research work. Last but not the least, I am going to an Australian Delegation in May 2023 to promote international affairs on behalf of the IILM so that our students get appropriate opportunities to be global citizens and leaders in an increasingly interconnected world.

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How do you establish a healthy relationship and environment in your university?

It is a well known fact that building a healthy relationship and environment in an educational institution involves various aspects, including communication, collaboration, respect and trust among everyone. Hence I regularly encourage open and honest communication between students, faculty and staff members through regular meetings, one-to-one interactions and other forums where they can freely share their thoughts and ideas. We also promote diversity in all aspects of the university, including hiring practices, curriculum and student life to build a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. In addition to this, we never forget to recognize and appreciate the achievements of our students, faculty and staff through awards and also provide required academic support, counseling services for good mental health and professional development opportunities to our young minds as and when required. To be short, we lead by example by demonstrating integrity, respect and professionalism in our work because developing a good learning ambiance in University requires ongoing effort and commitment from everyone involved.