We Focus on the Student-Centered Teachings, says JIMS Kalkaji Faculty

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Dr Saniya Chawla, faculty at JIMS Kalkaji talks about the current curriculum of JIMS Kalkaji which emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and the development of transferable skills like problem-solving, effective communication, teamwork, responsibility, and decision-making among students from various backgrounds.

Dr Saniya Chawla has a PhD in Human Resources from IIT Roorkee, India. She has 8.5 years of work experience in industry, research and teaching, at business schools, as a faculty member. She has been teaching core and elective courses in OB and HR. Her research areas include learning organization, organisational learning, unlearning knowledge management, human resource management, and workplace behaviour to name a few.

1. What is the difference between the teaching methodology in your institute and others?

The current curriculum of JIMS Kalkaji emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and the development of transferable skills like problem-solving, effective communication, teamwork, responsibility, and decision-making among students from various backgrounds. We recognize the fact that our students have different ways and pace of learning and thus our teaching methodologies  have been designed in a way to cater to the needs of all types of learners. We have adopted novel pedagogical strategies, such as innovative strategies for instruction based on different pedagogical foundations, such as those of experiential learning and self-directed study. Here are just a few tried-and-true techniques our faculty members employ in the classroom.

• Field visits
• Research/project analysis
• Real-life case studies, dialogues, and role plays are used.
• Discussion groups/brainstorming
• Small group work
• Presentations
• Mock GD on current topics

Also, our curriculum is designed around the needs of the students, and we employ tools like: 

• Personality Development Program, which emphasizes hygiene and presentation, to foster students' overall growth.
• Improvements in Interpersonal and Business Skills.
• Competence in Giving Talks
• During the activity hours, students participate in quizzes, case studies, and role plays. 
• Films covering various subjects, from globalization and leadership to the power of motivation.
• Student evaluations from all angles.

Thus, this allows us to set ourselves apart from competing academic institutions.

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

Today, prospective employers place a premium on finding exceptional candidates. It is because we give our students the necessary resources to compete for top jobs after post-graduation. Here at JIMS Kalkaji, we host conferences, seminars, and guest lectures featuring renowned academicians and business leaders worldwide. Second, the purpose of industrial visits is to give students practical, and real-world exposure to the business world. Not only this, but we also focus on student-centred teachings such as:

• Personality Development Programmes: Corporate Managers lead simulated group discussions and interviews and provide talks on personal effectiveness, goal setting, time management, stress reduction, business etiquette, teamwork, etc. 
• The Language Lab and Other Professional Development (PDP) Modules in our Program Serve to Improve Communicative Abilities. 

Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology, NSS, Alumni clubs: Activities of these clubs include inviting managers for guest lectures and organizing workshops and conferences at JIMS.These groups plan events like seminars and conferences at JIMS, where business leaders are invited to give talks. In addition, every December, all PGDM (IB) students are asked to travel to Singapore to study at NTU, one of the best universities in the world. Singaporean students can take a one-week Certificate Course offered by NTU faculty members titled "Understanding the Asian Business Environment," which features classroom instruction and hands-on projects. Moreover, preparing them for success in the business world, the students' extensive foreign experience will help establish their credibility as leaders in the global marketplace.

3. What qualities do your students have that other college students lack?

As we offer more advanced and sophisticated value-added classes, our students gain more hands-on experience. The PGDM faculty here at JIMS prepares students for job-related interviews and examinations. Our student’s confidence and ability to interact professionally reflect their participation in extracurricular activities. These are a few examples of the kinds of courses that provide value:

• Online Business Analytics Advanced Excel Certificate Program from Harvard Business School.
• AMVI Consultants' Internet Marketing Professional Development Program
• BSE's Financial Services and E&Y's Financial Modeling

Communication is an essential skill for postgraduate business management students. At JIMS, Kalkaji, we use cutting-edge information technology techniques and proven language teaching practices woven into the fabric of the oral language laboratory software. All these make learning a new language fun and fast and make teaching it a breeze.

4. Do you think the curriculum of the courses taught in your institute fits in the requirement of the industry?

The courses we offer meet the needs of the business world. The course outlines are continuously updated and improved. We have Governing body meeting and meeting of the BOSR (Board of Studies & Research) wherein we have experts from the academia and industry who give their inputs and review the courses timely and modify as per the industry requirement. In addition, through our partnership with Grant Thornton Bharat, we ensure the comprehensive creation of a wide range of inputs, teaching, and learning processes, all with the goal of fostering students' ability to draw connections between different areas of study. Regarding management training, businesses and academia can't function independently. The Industry anticipates that universities will provide graduates with the skills necessary to address challenging business issues, just as schools prepare students for careers in the business world. Academic and business institutions must pool their resources and knowledge for this to occur. Collaboration with GT Bharat has been very fruitful in giving students the tools they need to succeed by giving them access to a world-class education, high-quality learning, and exceptional internship opportunities.

5. Is your college receptive to innovation, technology, science & entrepreneurship?

As usual, JIMS is committed to the Upgrading process. Cutting edge of technology, entrepreneurialism, and creative development has always been strong suits for JIMS. As a renowned institute, we understand the needs of both students and teachers. Faculty members use cutting-edge tools like Smart-Boards, the newest iterations of computers and other electronic devices with built-in high-speed internet access, and High-Clear-Decibel sound systems in the auditorium at national seminars and conferences and for group presentations. The library at the JIMS Kalkaji campus is comprehensive, housing reference materials, periodicals, newspapers, eBooks, and digital research databases. The entire campus is wired for wireless Internet access. The institute also has an auditorium, conference hall, GD/ PI room, canteen, classrooms equipped with air conditioning, and computer laboratories with core i5 processors. Many events, including debates, marathons, presentations, quizzes, etc., are held at JIMS Kalkaji as part of an effort to get students out of the classroom every once in a while. In addition, festivals and fairs are held often throughout the year. Above all, we have a designated facility of IIC and Entrepreneurship Cell; to teach and Enrich the entrepreneurial environment in India by creating an easily accessible and exhaustive set of resources for entrepreneurs, which includes the students, the aspiring professionals, the mentors, the angel investors, and the venture capitalists through various exciting yet educational sessions like Startup Showcases, competitions, eTalks, and so on. Their creative ideas have given them new responsibilities and opportunities. An enterprise originates as an idea, develops into a strategy, and then materializes globally. The goal of the E cell is for people's brains to start working on new ideas. Not only does this provide a supportive environment for budding business owners, but it also provides the seed money they need to launch their ventures.