We need more women in leadership roles, shaping and driving research: SNU Vice Chancellor

Dr. Ananya Mukherjee, Vice-Chancellor of Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR speaking with Shiksha.com shared how the university has benefitted from the IoE status, how research scenario can be improved in the country as well as her views on Government of India inviting foreign universities to set up their campuses in India, read the excerpts of the interview below...

Q. How is Shiv Nadar University adapting to changing educational paradigms, including online learning, skill development, and global collaborations?

A. At Shiv Nadar, we had the advantage of initiating many things in the New Education Policy. Our 4-year undergraduate degree is a case in point.

The degree is multidisciplinary - it gives our students both depth in their disciplines and breadth in a more extensive array of disciplines. Our curriculum has three mandatory components that develop several key competencies students need to succeed in their professional careers. These components are:

• Research, Experiential and Applied Learning (REAL)
• Value, Ethics, leadership, and Service (VELS)
• Design, Innovation, Skill, Entrepreneurship (DISE)

In addition, every student gets at least one course on environment and sustainability.

Through our partnership with 22 foreign universities, we are committed to building an international presence through activities that transcend national boundaries. The university's infrastructure stands in a different league among private varsities in India. Besides being home to 'Magus' - High-Performance Computing Cluster, ranked 32nd in India's list of high-performance supercomputers, the university's classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art aids for faculty and students. 

Spread over 5,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art Dassault Systèmes Center of Excellence (SDC) results from a novel academia-industry collaboration. SDC aims to fuel research, innovation, design and entrepreneurship through problem-solving on industry-based projects using Dassault Systèmes' globally recognised 3DExperience platform.

Q. How IoE status has helped the institution?

A. The Government of India's recognition of Shiv Nadar University as an Institution of Eminence is a testament to the contribution of all faculty, students and staff to the university's goal of providing world-class education in India.

As an Institution of Eminence, the university has attracted renowned faculty from India and the world. It has also become a choice destination for meritorious students. This honour also allows us to create exemplary structures for the governance of higher education and achieve higher social impact through our research and innovation.

Q. Tell us something about the university's research initiatives, are there any breakthroughs?

A. Research, scholarly and creative work is at the core of what we do at this university. The university's flagship Opportunities for Undergraduate Research (OUR) program enables undergraduate students to undertake funded research projects with faculty members in any discipline. Many undergraduate students have published their research work through this initiative. At Shiv Nadar University, research is not limited to masters and doctoral students. It extends to all students at all levels. We just held our 9th conference on OUR, where 133 students across all disciplines presented their work.

Regarding breakthroughs, some are already well-known, and some will soon be!

Professor Subabhrata Sen of the Department of Chemistry has made a significant breakthrough in developing a new molecule to combat COVID-19. Based on his earlier research on Melatonin's antiviral and anti-cancer features, he redirected his focus toward creating a possible preventive molecule using it. A team led by Professor Ralf Jockers from Institut Cochin (INSERM, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, France) supported this study.

There is significant interdisciplinary research in Economics, Environment, Engineering, Genetics, International Relations, Cognition and brain research and much more.

Q. What reforms and initiatives are required to improve the quality of research landscape in the country?

A. We are very hopeful that the passing of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill 2023 will enable research in a big way.

As a research university, we emphasise research at all levels, beginning from the undergraduate degree. This has a hugely positive impact on our students. Whether they go for higher education or employment, they do well. We believe in cultivating research as a habit of the mind, and our faculty are deeply committed to it. If we fully realise India's research potential, universities must build research into the curriculum.

Another priority for changing the research landscape in India is to reduce the barriers women face in advancing research. We need more women in leadership roles, shaping and driving research agendas. This is one of our priorities at Shiv Nadar, and although we are seeing excellent results, we have a long way to go.

Q. What steps needs to be taken to attract global talent to Indian universities and fostering world-class faculty?

A. We are fortunate to have attracted faculty from top institutions of the world. There are a couple of factors that are key to this success.

First, substantial investments in infrastructure are imperative. We have a 286-acre green campus with housing for faculty and several amenities. This helps to build a strong sense of community. Furthermore, promoting partnerships between Indian and foreign universities to establish collaborative educational programs is instrumental. Such initiatives draw international students and create enticing prospects for faculty and researchers to engage in fruitful work within India.

Q. Govt is attracting foreign universities to set up their campuses in India. How do you look at it?

A. It is always good to remove boundaries in the world of knowledge. Collaboration between universities, in this sense, is a welcome move. It can result in many new innovative programs and research initiatives which will benefit many students in India and the world. We are actively looking for partnerships for developing initiatives for broader social impact for students and faculty who cannot choose expensive higher studies options. We also welcome students and faculty from abroad. India and the Global South, more broadly, have a lot to offer to critical knowledge needs for the world today.

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