Dr. Rajesh Naithani is the Vice Chancellor of Himalayiya University. A highly qualified and experienced individual, he has previously worked as an Advisor to the Minister of Human Resources Development, SR. PS to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee, Lead Scientist at the Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute Chicago, Assistant Research Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and University Consultant at a startup Drug Development Company OrgSyn in Chicago Technology Park. He has also worked with renowned universities like Bharath University.

Dr. Rajesh holds a BS in ZBC from Himachal Pradesh University, an MS in Chemistry and a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from Kurukshetra University. Thereafter, he completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MBA from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. Moreover, he is also pursuing a PhD in Management. He has over 50 papers published in international and national journals. Dr. Naithani has also received fellowships from the Ranbaxy Research Lab, New Delhi for a PhD at Kurukshetra University along with scholarships from the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

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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?

I have spent a lot of years in the field of education. The key factors that keep me connected to this field involve personal passion, the dynamic nature of education, and the impact on future generations. The opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of students and their future careers and to see my students grow, learn, and succeed in their chosen fields is also an important aspect for me. Participating in discussions, research and innovation with students and colleagues while also making sure that the students are being provided with quality education and looking for growth in the college as well as professional growth for myself is highly motivating for me.

Being the Pro Vice Chancellor of Himalayiya University, how do you strategize about the key programs and plans for the marketing and administration of your school?

As the Pro VC of this college, I aim to enhance the university's reputation, attract students, encourage academic excellence, and ensure sustainable growth. We work on understanding the needs, preferences, and trends within the education sector, focusing on areas where Himalayiya University has strengths or can develop a unique offering. I make sure that the university's programs and courses maintain high standards of excellence and relevance in the present job market. I, along with the other board members, always try to hire highly educated and experienced faculty so that the teaching staff as well as the administration department are of the highest quality. I try to introduce the latest programs and courses in the college using new technologies if required so that the teaching and learning experience of this college can be enhanced.

What do you think your roles and responsibilities to the University and the students are?

My roles and responsibilities for the university involve academic leadership, administration, strategic planning, regular meetings and engagement with stakeholders and board members. For my job as a VC, I support the faculty and staff through professional development, research and academic engagement opportunities. I also develop and implement the university's strategic plan in alignment with its mission, vision, and values. I need to make sure that my students are receiving excellent teaching along with academic guidance, counselling and placements. Building partnerships within the educational industry to enhance research, job opportunities, and practical experience for students is also my responsibility.

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

The main purpose of building this university was to provide education and uplift the rural community of Dehradun and the nearby areas. We provide our students with UG and PG courses at a very reasonable cost, along with a quality curriculum. We have groundbreaking research projects and facilities that provide our students with practical skills as well as knowledge related to the courses they choose. The college has a lot of activities alongside academics, like sports, cultural programs, annual events, talent shows, a music room and a few more facilities that make college life enjoyable for our students. As our main USP is the medical field, we have labs and professional training rooms with the latest technologies, which are useful for the students to practice their skills.

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

Building healthy relationships with your students and faculty is essential to bring academic excellence, understanding and a sense of community to the campus. I maintain regular communication and engagement with the students' committee, faculty and staff about decision-making, changes and developments to be made within the university. I make sure that the policies we develop here provide equal opportunities to all, regardless of background, identity, or belief. We also organise events that bring together students, faculty, and staff, such as cultural celebrations, sports events, and meet-ups, to build a strong and connected community. I also try to provide all students with opportunities for personal growth and leadership development through social clubs, workshops, and extracurricular activities. All of this surely helps me to know my faculty and students better so that I can make their college life fruitful.

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

When it comes to providing suggestions to the youth, there are a tonne of suggestions and advice they need to pay attention to. I advise my students to make smart decisions and think before taking action. The youth these days always have someone they idolise or follow. That person may be someone within their family or a celebrity but it is important to choose who you follow. Start networking early, attend events and connect with professionals in your field of interest. The youth should also take care of their mental well-being. I would advise them to develop healthy habits, manage stress, and seek support when needed.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing higher education today, and how do you think your institution is addressing those challenges?

There are always new challenges when it comes to the field of education. If I talk about recent times, COVID forced us to leave the traditional mode of conducting classes and examinations. We all had to switch to a fully virtual and online mode. Our college quickly adapted to online learning and digital tools and furthermore, we had to invest in digital infrastructure and offer online learning programs so that the college life of the students would not be affected. Money and finances have also been an issue for some students in our colleges. For them, we focus on scholarship programs and also provide financial aid when needed. In terms of administration, diversification of income, good cost management and financial planning are highly needed.

When you first came to Himalayiya University, what was your vision for the university? Has it evolved over time, and how far along in implementing that vision are you?

When I joined this college as a faculty member, my vision and plans were simple. I wanted this college to achieve heights with the education and courses they were providing to the students. Working as per the vision and mission of this college helped with my professional growth as well as personal growth. Even now, I merely want our students to get a good education from the best faculty we can hire. I always wanted to raise the standards of this college and I can proudly say that in the past few years, I have seen a change in the standards and vision I planned for this college. Here, we encourage learning by trying new teaching activities and making sure that the students are being provided with quality education and facilities. As the college evolves with time, my plans and vision also change, but all I want is the betterment of this college, and I am happy that I can contribute to the same.

What are the other extracurricular activities you have in your college along with the academics? 

Along with focusing on studies and academics, we also push our students to enrich their hobbies and interests. At least twice a week, we have sports classes for the students in each batch and we make sure that the students are also taking care of their health and mental peace. Himalayiya College offers students numerous facilities for sports like cricket, football, basketball, badminton and other indoor sports. We also offer yoga and meditation classes. Students here are encouraged to participate in cultural events with activities like debates, dance competitions, singing and other activities. We also host annual functions and internal college events to help the students relax and interact with faculty while also showcasing their talents. Students are often asked to engage in community service and volunteering, offering opportunities to work with local charities, schools, and non-profit organisations.

How do you help your student to cope up with the competition being so high in the outside world?

The competition in the outside world is very high and most of our students are from rural areas outside Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh. For us, it is really important to mould them with good qualities and skills so that they do not feel less than their colleagues or students after they graduate. We offer career counselling services to help students understand their career options and the steps needed to achieve their goals. We help students get good internship opportunities and for students who are interested in starting their own startups/ventures, we provide support through our entrepreneurship hub. It offers resources, mentorship, and sometimes funding to help student startups grow.