In Conversation with Shiksha.com: Dr. Tania Islam on Vidyashilp University's Innovative, Learner-Centric Pedagogy

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Dr. Tania Islam, School of Liberal Arts and Design Studies, Vidyashilp University says at VU, the innovative pedagogy focuses on independent, learner-centric education with methods like collaborative learning and role play. This contrasts with traditional, hierarchical approaches found elsewhere.

Dr. Tania Islam is an Assistant Professor in the School of Liberal Arts and Design Studies at Vidyashilp University. Prior to joining VU, she was an Assistant Professor at Adamas University, in Kolkata. Dr. Islam has more than a decade of experience teaching core English, interdisciplinary foundation, and writing courses.

Q1. What are the salient features of the teaching methodology adopted by your college? How does this differ from others?

At Vidyashilp University, the uniqueness of the curriculum demands a pedagogy that is geared towards allowing the students to be independent learners. With an interdisciplinary curriculum, the teachers at VU specialize in learner-centric pedagogy. This pedagogy places the learner at the center and focuses on maximizing the potential of the learner through different teaching methods. Such learner centric instructional strategies include collaborative learning, peer review, turncoat debates, and role play scenarios. Learner/student centered approach encourages collaboration and the building of an in-class learning community.

Unlike other institutions, the pedagogy at VU is interactive and multi modal. It does not follow a didactic approach and actively pushes back against the centered/hierarchical methodology in the classroom. All classrooms at VU have smart capabilities which allows instructors to use interactive methodology in the classroom, such as videos, Prezi slides, etc. Above everything else, VU employs an empowering teaching methodology which facilitates lifelong learning and allows the students to keep learning at their own pace—within and outside the classroom.

Q2. What are the qualities you are looking for in student applicants? What qualities they need to do well in your course?

As a university with an interdisciplinary curriculum and new age teaching methodologies, we are looking for students who are adaptable, possess nimbleness of wit and imagination, as well as the hunger to learn new things. At VU, we pride ourselves on opening up new domains of learning for our students, so the “perfect” VU applicant will be someone who has the desire to push themselves to perform well and has the perseverance to keep trying in the face of failures. Yes, at VU we recognize that failure is a very important part of learning and it is our hope that our future students will possess the wherewithal to get up boldly and push back against obstacles in the face of adversities. To do well in our programs, the foremost qualities that we require from our students are diligence and honesty. Diligence—because they need to keep up with coursework and assignments. Honesty—because that is the one enduring value that they will hold within themselves long after they have graduated from VU. In all fairness, no learning can happen if someone is not honest to oneself.  

Q3. How do you ensure that course curriculum is up to date and meets industry requirements?

Answer: At VU, we take the value of collaboration seriously. All program curriculums are designed after consultation with the entire faculty community. To ensure that program curriculums are true to the spirit of interdisciplinarity and are mapped well to the program outcomes, extensive all-faculty meetings are held before the start of a new academic year where all programs (new and/or revised) are reviewed. Faculty members, even if they belong to different domains, are encouraged to give honest responses to the program plans. Senior faculty members, especially Program Chairs, ensure that all program curriculums meet latest industry standards. Proper benchmarking methods are followed, as well as revisions are made keeping in mind program reception and student feedback from previous semesters. Full transparency is maintained in all program designing and curriculum planning, where all faculty members come onboard to ensure that best practices are followed.

Q4. How are you preparing your students to be Industry-ready?

At Vidyashilp University, we believe in teaching beyond the textbook to prepare our students for the industry. Our programs are meticulously curated to expose students to cutting-edge technologies currently used in the field. The core courses at Vidyashilp University are designed to develop responsible citizens who can understand societal challenges and devise innovative solutions. One of our standout offerings is the 'Introduction to Digital World' course, which emphasizes critical thinking and practical application. This course covers essential topics such as a deep understanding of digital platforms and their industry impact, programming Arduino for real-world problem-solving, 3D design and modeling for digital content creation, and website design for business and marketing to foster entrepreneurship. Additionally, it integrates database management and analysis with websites and explores transformative AR & VR technologies, ensuring our students are well-equipped for the demands of the modern industry.

Q5. Is your college receptive to innovation, technology, science & entrepreneurship? How? Could you cite some examples of these?

Yes, Vidyashilp University is deeply committed to fostering innovation, embracing technology, and nurturing entrepreneurship. Our academic structure promotes a true interdisciplinary ethos. By offering a mix of major and minor courses, students engage in the complete life cycle of problem-solving. They start from gathering requirements, designing solutions/products, to understanding financial constraints in marketing, sales, and service. For example, an engineering student can take finance or marketing as a minor, while students majoring in finance, economics, or psychology can take Data Science as a minor.

We have established a maker space, an informal learning area equipped with cutting-edge tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and Arduino kits, where students can experiment and bring their ideas to life. Additionally, the Vidyashilp University Research Centre (VRC) offers opportunities to work on real-world projects, and conduct hands-on workshops on entrepreneurship, business planning, and marketing, further enhancing our students' readiness for the ever-evolving industry landscape.