Dr. Kashinath Jena is a Professor of Political Science, Director of Gandhian Studies at Tripura University and the Pro Vice Chancellor of Himalayiya University. With over a decade’s worth of experience as a professor, he has worked in teaching, research, administration and consultancy encompassing 36 years of experience. Dr. Jena holds a B.A. Honours degree from Utkal University and an M.A. and a PhD from Benaras Hindu University. Previously, he worked at R.M. College Silchar and was a resource person at Dibrugarh University, Benaras Hindu University. ICFAI University, and Gujarat University, among others. He has authored seven books, was in an editorial position for two books and one research journal and has contributed to nine book chapters. So far, Dr. Kashinath has published eight papers in different journals and has participated in over 50 national and international FDPs, workshops, conferences and more. He received the Ambassador of Peach Award in 2014 from the Governor of Tripura on behalf of the Universal Peace Federation, South Korea and the North East Excellence Award in 2017.

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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?

Right after completing my postgraduation, I started working in the education department. With over 20 years of work experience, it seems like I was meant to work in this field and provide my teachings to the students of northeast and central India, including a few more states. For over 12 years, I worked as a professor of political science at Tripura University, which helped me a lot with my career growth. I have a strong belief that education has the power to transform and change the young generation and their mindset. Using my entire career experience, I want to bring about a change in society, which is highly motivational to me. The opportunity to make a difference, achieve personal growth, and have a sense of community and purpose are the main reasons that keep me connected to this field of education.

Being the Vice Chancellor of Himalayiya University, what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

Working with Himalayiya University as their Vice-Chancellor, I aim to achieve positive results through education, learning and research documentation. The philosophy is simple, I try to provide each student with the best knowledge and to train them with skills that can further help them be an asset to the country and society. I also believe that being a good leader does not mean just directing the faculty and students for their work; I prefer getting on the field and dealing with the issues that are being faced by the people of my university. The goal is to overcome those challenges together and help the college achieve new heights. My leadership style can be described as that of a visionary leader, as I aim for constant growth for this college and whichever institute I am associated with in the future.

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?

There are numerous differences in the education system we have in India when compared to foreign countries. The education here is more complex and advanced if we compare it to Western countries. Talking about Himalayiya College and other Indian colleges, the rich heritage and diversity of the country provide a unique learning environment within the classrooms as well as outside. Students have an opportunity to be in touch with different languages, cultures, and festivals to develop their understanding. Also, despite the linguistic diversity, English is commonly used as the medium to communicate and provide instructions; this can ease the transition for the students and enhance their English proficiency. We prepare our students to feel complete with the education they get and to have the same amount of information and knowledge that is being provided by other competing universities and colleges.

What would you like people to know about your university they may not know?

Our university was established in 2019 with a vision to create a high amount of job opportunities for the young generation by providing them with the best education in the medical and non-medical fields. The college campus is spread over an area of ten acres with lush green surroundings, mountains and a small river flowing by. This makes the college campus a fun place to be for all the students. The college focuses on making the teaching experience fruitful for the students by using technologies like smart classes, labs and activity halls to enrich practical experience and develop new skills.

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What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

Like many other educators, I was driven to this field of education with a passion for learning. I enjoy taking part in the teaching and education I provide to students, it provides me a sense of joy to see them grow and succeed in life as they pursue their goals. I have a personal desire to teach and empower students and guide them based on the experiences that I have gained in my entire career. Also, creating new ways and methods to enhance the learning experience contributes to my job satisfaction. 

How do you tend to establish a healthy relation and environment in your institute/ university?

In the field of education, as the vice chancellor of an institute, it is very important for me to establish good connections and relations with my fellow faculty and students. I regularly have meetings with the faculty and students to know their concerns and to engage with them regarding the regular activities of the college. Having good communication with all your employees is a must. We have to be strict sometimes but I make sure to make them feel respected and honoured as they work at this college. We also have a student committee set up that students can approach if they have an issue or concern with the faculty or administration. I make sure that these issues are addressed on a priority basis. I also approve events or functions they want to host on campus. We make sure to acknowledge their decisions and try to provide them with the resources to host those events.

When you came to the college, what was your vision and how are you trying to achieve the same? 

I have over 20 years of work experience with different institutions. I have always kept my vision aligned with the vision of the institute I joined. The vision of this college is to provide skilled and innovative people to the country who may provide strength to the nation and also help the university become India’s finest university in the years to come. In the same way, I make sure that my students are well-educated and have the required skill sets based on the courses they choose. I aim to help the university flourish and achieve new heights.

Do you have any extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance the skills of the students or expose them to real world challenges?

At Himalayiya University, we encourage our students to take part in extracurricular activities along with their studies. These activities, like sports and events, help the students engage more in college activities. We have a sports field, indoor sports, music rooms and an activity area where students can enjoy themselves and take a break from academics. We also ask our students to take part in the annual functions to showcase their talents this can include singing, dancing, drama or any other interest or hobby a person has and wants to further enrich. 

Any insights into how your college could be more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

The main policy we follow at our college is to treat everyone equally. It can be a faculty member or a student; we give everyone their share of respect and do not judge anyone based on their caste, race or economic background. Our facilities and teaching are provided to each student in the same way. We work hard to implement and communicate policies that meet the unique needs and challenges of students from diverse backgrounds and industries. This includes admission procedures, financial aid policies, and support services. The college also works to ensure that the courses reflect diversity and include perspectives from different cultural and business backgrounds.