We will be adopting the global educational framework of Problem Based Learning (PBL) curriculum, says HOD Dr Santhanam

Dr Harini Santhanam, an associate professor and the department's head at the MAHE Off Campus Centre in Bengaluru, discusses the school's teaching methods in-depth in an interview with Shiksha.com. He speaks extensively on the measures the institute has taken to help students become industry-ready, curriculum design, the selection process, and the value of technology and entrepreneurship in the modern world.

Dr Santhanam is an environmental scientist and a sustainability researcher, with special emphasis on evidence-based policy research. She has been associated with the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India since 2019 with the Energy, Environment, and Climate change program, where she conducted inter-disciplinary research on the science and policy perspectives associated with land, water, and air quality, vulnerability assessments, and policy gaps

Read the complete interview below

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

A: We will be adopting the global educational framework of Problem Based Learning (PBL) curriculum in our programme which provides the scope to develop skills in the identification and critical analyses of policy gaps. This methodology supports an open-ended curriculum, which make experiential learning as part of the course and places student-centric learning at the core of the pedagogy. This strong pedagogical approach gives us the distinction among other institutions offering courses in public policy.

Q: How are you preparing your students to be Industry ready?

A: Our course is designed to be a co-learning and co-evolutionary programme, bringing together the diversity of student knowledge and experiences in learning themes related to policymaking. Hence, we aim to create industry-ready policy analysts and policy enablers from policy novices, by providing several opportunities for exposure to ground-level experiences in policymaking by internships and project work.

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

A: Public policy-making is intricately connected to diverse themes related to human society. It is, hence, an interesting course for any graduate student who wishes to specialize in bringing together data, knowledge, and experience in their own fields to inform policy-making.   Unbiased interest and passion in understanding multiple dimensions of human existence, development and progress, not limited to the following : why policies can be effective tools for social decision-making, how inter-connectedness are the processes of governance and development, and the impacts of policies on human society etc., will be advantageous to the make a unique career out of the Masters course in public policy.

Q: How do you ensure that your course curriculum is up to date and meets industry requirements?

A: We will adopt the frameworks specified by UGC’s credit based semester system to enable flexibility in designing curriculum, attaining the learning outcomes and assigning credits based on the course content and hours of teaching. Under this approach, the faculty also will be given the opportunity to update their research skills as well as industrial exposures which will offer them the insights to revise and update the curriculum up to date.

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

A: Yes, MAHE, has had a unique presence in the educational space of India, especially the medical, dental, technological and cultural spaces. The University, with its humble origins in Manipal, has gained a global reputation as provider of lifelong, practical, ethical and inclusive education across many different streams and STEM disciplines. It is, hence, an Institution of Eminence and NIRF Rank #7 University, where internal and external collaborations are encouraged to develop and/or discover innovation and entrepreneurship skills of students. The dedicated centres for innovation and entreprenuership within MAHE are good examples showcasing the dedicated approach of the institution to provide holistic education.