HED - Hotel Management Special

INDIA EDITION MUST-WATCH

HOTEL MANAGEMENT

INSTITUTES IN

INDIA

SERVICING THE SERVICE INDUSTRY WITH PRIME PROFESSIONALS MAY 2020

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Higher Education Digest May 2020

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Higher Education Digest May 2020

May 2020

Vol - 2 Issue - 7

Hotel Management Special (India Edition) Editor in Chief

Dr. Manoj Varghese

Managing Editor Rose Mary

Consultant Editors

Dr. Johny Andrews Anjana K Shyam S

Navya Venkatesh Stanly Lui Emma James

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Art and Design Ajay K Das

Sales & Marketing

Arati Waghmare Jyoti Kumari Rupali Mohankar Prathyoosh K Shaji Samatha S P

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Higher Education Digest May 2020 March 2019

MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

There is Always a Silver Lining, Always

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umans are resilient creatures who always plan ahead. No matter what the circumstance, we plan ahead and follow through, finding the silver lining amongst the thick dark clouds. COVID-19 has put a damper on our daily life and to the economy at large. A good barometer of a country’s economic status is its hotel occupancy. Today, unfortunately, most hotels are empty except for those operating as quarantine centres and those with long-staying guests. However, according to a recent New York Post, millennials are the most eager to get back out and explore the world after the coronavirus ends. Sure, they are worried about the outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet they are expected to be the first to start traveling once the restrictions are relaxed.

So, Hoteliers are on their virtual boardroom, brainstorming and planning for the future, as well as taking steps to reduce long-term damage from coronavirus and drive faster recovery. This is despite the fact that we still don’t know when we can safely leave the confines of our homes.

Although the current situation tends to paint itself a glum grey hue, all does not seem bleak. Once the pandemic is over, hotels will start picking up and will be back in action as soon as possible. To do so, they require young hard-working professionals who can deal with this fastpaced environment. And in this issue, we have strived to feature a couple of such Hotel Management institutions who have shaped smart professionals.

In the next few pages, you will meet Nitin Chordia who has successfully turned his love for chocolates into a profession. We have also had the privilege to feature several other industry and educational luminaries who have shared their opinions and insights on the current educational situation.

We hope this issue turns out to be an informative and happy read while you are doing your bit to save mankind by staying at home.

Cheers!

Rose Mary

Higher Education Digest May 2020

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ADVISORY BOARD Dr. Kuldeep Nagi, Ph.D, MBA, BSc. Program Director of Ph.D, Recipient of Fulbright Fellowship Award & Dan Evans Award for Excellence and Writer columnist.

Dr.Varughese K.John, PhD, MBA, MPhil, MCom, LLB. Program Director, MS in Management Program, GSATM - AU

Dr. Venus M. Alboruto, PhD, Master Teacher, Researcher, Innovator, Trainer.

6 Major General (Rtd.) Dr. Sunil Chandra, VSM (Vishishta Seva Medal), Ph.D, M. Phil, MA, M.Ed, PGBDA Ex-M D Army Welfare Education Society, ExCOO GEMS Education - India, Ex- Addl Dir Gen - Army Education, Mentor - Adventure-Pulse

Dr. Ajay Shukla, Ph.D, MBA, BE.

Mr. Sreedhar Bevara, MBA, B.Com

Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Higher Education UAE

Senior General Manager: Panasonic Middle East & Africa, Thought Leader, Speaker & Author of ‘Moment of Signal’ (Amazon’s International Bestseller)

Mr. Amulya Sah, PGD PM & IR, PG Diploma in PM&IR (XISS Ranchi)

Shanthi Rajan (MSHRM, FHEA, AMCILT) Director, Institution Development, University of Stirling, RAK Campus, UAE.

Higher Education Digest May 2020

Senior Director HR. Head HR group Samsung R&D Institute India,Transformative HR Leader, Change agent, Digitization facilitator, Engagement architect, Trainer and Diversity champion.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Suramya Mathai, Ph.D,M.Ed,MA,BA. Teachers Training Expert, Writer, Author, Speaker & Social Worker

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Higher Education Digest May 2020

SERVICING THE SERVICE INDUSTRY WITH PRIME PROFESSIONALS

C O N T

34 - 40 STATE INSTITUTE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT, BALANGIR

Where Future Hotelier Kingpins are Made

ACADEMIC VIEW

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MENTOR’S MANTRA

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MARKET WATCH

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Higher Education Digest May 2020

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he world is slowly coming to terms with the COVID-19 outbreak. With the globalized world going into partial or complete shutdown, economists expect the global economy to shrink in the first quarter of 2020, a first since the 2008 financial crisis. With the number of cases rising sharply daily, even if the pandemic is contained soon, the dominoes effect will be felt across the world well into the year, pushing all major economies into a possible recession.

The Indian hospitality industry has suffered a major blow as demand has declined to an all-time low. industry executives opine that low occupancies in hotels are unlikely to improve much until September. However, the hoteliers are in no way shirking from their moral responsibility and have gladly opened their properties quarantine those who have returned from abroad or to the medical fraternity.

According to research firm Icra, hotels tend to have elevated operating and financial leverage, making them highly susceptible to any reduction in revenues. Allied income sources from MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), food and beverage have been significantly curtailed or entirely shut down. Several hotels are pruning all costs, fixed and variable, letting go of contract employees, curtailing power and fuel costs, deferring payments for leases and maintenance contracts. Icra, which has downgraded the sector’s outlook to negative, anticipates the stock of stressed hotel assets to rise. To say it is going to be a rough year for the hotel management industry would be the understatement of the year.

However, once the pandemic curve has been flattened out, industries will slowly start climbing up. This is when they will be on the look out for professionals who can help these industries bounce back. This is why we at the Higher Education Digest felt the importance of showcasing “10 Must-Watch Hotel Management Institutes in India� during these troubled times as paramount. The names listed in this issue have created a niche for themselves in the industry and will continue to support the Hotel Management vertical at all times.

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Higher Education Digest May 2020

Institute Name Chitkara School of Hospitality

City

State

Rajpura

Punjab

Bangalore

Karnataka

Institute of Hotel Management Catering and Nutrition, Shimla

Shimla

Himachel Pradesh

Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition, Pusa

Pusa

New Delhi

Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Bhopal

Bhopal

Madhya Pradesh

International School of Hospitality Management (ISHM), Kolkata

Kolkata

West Bengal

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad

Faridabad

Haryana

NSHM Knowledge Campus, Durgapur

Durgapur

West Bengal

Institute of Hotel Management Catering & Applied Nutrition, Bangalore

State Institute of Hotel Management, Kozhikode

Calicut

Kerala

State Institute Of Hotel Management, Balangir

Balangir

Orissa

Higher Education Digest May 2020

Higher Education Digest December January 2019 2020

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SERVICING THE SERVICE INDUSTRY WITH PRIME PROFESSIONALS

By Rose Mary

Higher Education Digest May 2020

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he hospitality industry is all about the experience that is retained by the visitors. Intangibles matter more than tangibles in this industry because hospitality involves showing love and care. Therefore, when stepping into the Service industry, especially, that of Hotel Management, it is impertinent that you be on your most excellent front. Although several educational institutions aim at teaching this course as well as they can, there is only a handful that has proved their mettle. One among the top players is International School of Hospitality Management (ISHM), Kolkata.

Created on an unwavering commitment towards excellence and quality education, ISHM has been training graduates who aspire to land the most sought-after positions in the highly competitive hospitality industry. ISHM offers a value-based quality education that pars with international standards.

Aiming to produce quality and well-groomed graduates for employment in hotels, tourism, and service management positions at national and as well as at a global level, ISHM students get to enhance their skills and techniques on all the fronts with special emphasis on operation and management.

ISHM missions to develop highly qualified professionals who play leading roles in promoting the regions industrial competitiveness in its integration into the global economy.

Higher Education Digest May 2020

Offering state of the art programs and cutting-edge research in partnership with the industries for sustainable growth of the region, ISHM Kolkata is armed to supply the Industry with professional graduates.

Nirvik Saha Director ISHM After kick-starting his career in the Hospitality Industry with market leaders like Taj and Leela Kempinski group, Mr. Saha clearly saw the urgent need of talented and skilled professionals

At ISHM, learning activities are characterized by active engagement, inquiry, problem-solving and collaboration with others. The teacher acts as a guide, a facilitator and also co explorer. They encourage learners to question, challenge and formulate their ideas, opinions and conclusions. ISHM’s teaching-learning methodologies include problem-based learning, learning constructivist approach, case studies, peer tutorials, e-learning, blended learning, flipped classrooms, and experiential learning.

“We would use technology-based learning platforms, social media, internet and interactive Learning Management Systems to deliver our programs. The various infrastructural facilities that we have at ISHM that truly sets us apart from the other college is a state-of-theart fully functional aviation lab, which is the alive model of a cut section of an aircraft. It is complete with flight chairs, cabins deck and a unique PA system to give the students a hands-on experience of in-flight methods,” says Nirvik Saha, Director, ISHM.

in the Hospitality segment. Followed his dream of the same since the last decade with ISHM Kolkata with hopes of expansion in other states.

17 Courses Offered Presently, ISHM provides a wide array of courses that are not only based on the current market trends and requirements but also on the basis that different students have different aptitude levels and also based on their wide variety of choices and preferences. They include Diploma in Aviation, Hotel & Hospitality Management (1 Year Full-Time Course), Advance Diploma in Aviation, Hotel & Hospitality Management (2 Years Full-Time Course), BBA in Hospitality Management + Graduate Diploma in Aviation and Hotel Management (Twinning Program 3 Years Full-Time Course), Bachelor in Hotel Management + Bachelor’s in Tourism Studies (Dual Degree 3 Years Full-Time Course), Bachelor in Hotel Management (3 Years Full-Time Course), Bachelor in Hospital Management & Health Care (3 Years FullTime Course), B.B.A (Business Administration) (3 Years Full-Time Course), B.B.A in Aviation Management (3 Years Full-Time Course), Post-Graduation Programme in Hospitality Management (2 years course duration), and M.H.A in Hospital Administration (2 years course duration).

“To add to our everlasting hunger to be the best in the industry we have two major Food Production Labs.

One of them completely built on induction method to avoid fire hazards. This also includes a complete and functional working bakery, library, complete VIP Suite and a reception desk with a mock PMS Software,” adds Avishek Dutta Roy, HOD, F&B Service.

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It works to the immense advantage of ISHM students that ISHM’s placement coordinators are thoroughly connected with the top recruiters in and around the world, thus helping students land the job of their dreams. “We arrange for campus interviews for the students when they are in their final semester. We have been able to achieve 94% placement record, with our students being placed in top companies globally.

It has been a very common trend for students to have their appointment letter even before they pass out,” comments Sharmi Banerjee, HOD, Front Office The placement cell works towards training students to meet the expectations of the Industry through its Career Development Program, provide exposure to the students about the happenings with various industries, thus providing them with a first-hand insight into the dynamic industrial environment.

ISHM’s Training Programs are unique and unmatched by any other University Programs because of the following innovative practices: • Industry-driven syllabus that is updated every year to reflect the present and future requirements of industry and economy • Systems-driven management.

• Student-centric approach.

• Inculcate universal and global values by practising what we preach • Spoken English classes that improve communication skills • Personality development sessions • Career skills.

• A flexible medium of instruction • Innovative program structure with credit transfers ensures that students can pursue their passion • Think Global. Act Local - An inter-disciplinary approach and global partners that enables ISHM to meet the emerging global standards in university education yet are oriented to meet the local industry requirements.

• Internships • All students undergo special Sensitization Programs for Entrepreneurship and Leadership, an important quality for future success in career • 100% placement assistance.

• Period Incubation for those creative and innovative students who aspire to start their business venture.

ISHM believes that teachers must be lifelong learners to teach each new group of students. Some of ISHM’s core Teaching development programs include: Common Core State Standards: Typically taught in separate sessions to administrators and teachers, sessions on Common Core standards help each group

Higher Education Digest May 2020

ISHM also aids students in their business launches, by working in tandem with students to obtain financing, research the market, and build practical businesses.

understand the purpose and usefulness of such standards.

These types of workshops also answer questions related to the interpretation of specific standards in addition to offering strategies for implementing the teaching of some content area standards.

Assessment and Evaluation: A professional development course, weekend, or single session on assessment and evaluation will offer educators and administrators new and innovative ways to assess students in a variety of content areas. “Not all assessment needs to be paper and pencil based. There are a variety of assessments from performance tasks to informal and formal. Some assessment and evaluation professional development sessions will focus on specific forms of assessment that will be required for the upcoming school year, but most will share a variety of forms in which assessment can be used to evaluate and redirect learning when needed,” clarifies Sanjit Gomes, HOD, Culinary Differentiated Instruction: Meeting the individual needs of every student can be an overwhelming job, but one that is expected and challenging. This type of professional

development offers support for teachers as they group and manage data, work with students on varying levels, and creating and managing levels.

Closing the Achievement Gap: “It has been a wellresearched and well-documented fact that Some students come into the classroom at a disadvantage. So, it is the teachers’ job to close the achievement gap. Culturally relevant pedagogy and the integration of visual and performing arts can play a factor in helping to close the achievement gap,” adds Liza Mukherjee Bagchi, HOD, House-keeping.

ISHM promotes entrepreneurship not only among students but also among faculty by exposing them to executives’ thought processes when analysing situations to provide real-life business solutions and mistakes and relating theoretical content to real business challenges, such as discussing inflation and quantitative easing in relation to the 2008 mortgage crisis. ISHM also hosts entrepreneurship contests, pitting student groups against each other in a “Shark Tank”-like competition to foster hands-on learning opportunities. Moreover, ISHM also has an entrepreneurship-in-residence program, that leverage relationships with businesses to regularly send students as interns, helping them network.

Along the same lines, ISHM invites professionals to teach and lead a class or an entire course, to make the content more engaging and add practical insight.

Furthermore, the institute provides consulting to nonprofits and small businesses, and in the process guide students through consulting for small businesses and non-

profits to ensure they learn practical solutions and how to handle client interactions.

ISHM also aids students in their business launches, by working in tandem with students to obtain financing, research the market, and build practical businesses. The institute also uses all its avenues to stress on technology’s importance, by explaining strategic ways that businesses use technology to communicate, market, innovate, and ultimately, earn a profit. This does not necessarily mean filling curricula with coding and computer programming. It is also commendable that ISHM houses international exchange programs, thus exposing students to different cultures and professional backgrounds by allowing them to finish their degree at an international university. Meanwhile, ISHM also promotes student-in-residence programs, that allows students to intern part-time and complete graded coursework.

Staying true its vision of becoming a prestigious multicultural hub of higher learning in Service Industry, offering state of the art programs and cutting-edge research in partnership with the industries for sustainable growth of the region, ISHM Kolkata is armed to supply the Industry with professional graduates.

“With further diversification, we would not only cater to the hospitality industry but to all service-related market segments. We have already stepped in to provide quality education for the Hospital Sector and the Management sector as well in addition to the hospitality industry. We have plans to grow and further spread our wings by opening another campus in the North-eastern part of India,” concludes the Director.

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Higher Education Digest May 2020

MENTOR’S MANTRA

MBAs! The Five Commandments to Future-proof Your Career Dr. R Sugant, Chairman – Career Services, SDM Institute for Management Development

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here are over 4400 management institutes and universities across India churning out over 5.5 lakh MBA graduates every year. However, the faculty quality, infrastructure and students who pursue MBAs in these institutes vary widely. On the one hand there are top-notch IIMs, specifically IIM – A, B & C that can boast of the best of students who are comparable to those in Harvard or MIT and on the other hand, we have scores of institutes that run with minimal infrastructure and poor quality of faculty.

Consequently, they also attract students of dubious quality.

Also, a major chunk of these 4400 management institutions either do not have any entry criteria or entry criteria is just the basic minimum. For ex., AICTE prescribes the entry qualification as 50% marks in any discipline in the graduate degree. There is no requirement for work experience. While most of the students take one or the other competitive exams like CAT, XAT or MAT, most of the institutes consider the scores only as a hygiene factor and do not have/ specify any cut-off for admission.

Barring the top 5% of the students, perhaps numbering about 25 – 30,000 who join the top-ranked MBA institutions, the rest struggle to get a job. Even if they get a job, these jobs do not befit an MBA and they cannot build their career. It takes at least 3-5 years for them to get into a job and a role in which they can build their career.

The key challenge all MBAs face today is how to stay relevant in a world that is changing fast. The industry and most of the countries in the world are facing paradoxical challenges. On the one hand, countries and regimes are becoming more nationalistic, protectionist and inward-looking and at the same time, technology

Higher Education Digest May 2020

It is good to network over social media, but the crux is in using it judiciously along with person-toperson networking

23 Dr. R Sugant

During his illustrious career of over 32 years, Dr. Sugant has held diverse responsibilities – as an entrepreneur, corporate leader and as an academic leader. Dr. Sugant started his career in sales and subsequently moved to handle logistics and commercial responsibilities in Wipro.

Subsequently, he went on to become an entrepreneur and launched a start-up in the area of technology training and retail aggregation. As a professor of marketing in SDMIMD, he handles International Business, B2B marketing, Services Marketing and Marketing of High Technology Products – subjects on which he brings in considerable industry experience. Dr. Sugant also teaches at Universidad de Montevideo, Uruguay, South America, as part of the faculty exchange program of SDMIMD. Dr. Sugant believes in the power of students and is of the firm view that once inspired, they can reach great heights. His avowed mission is to “inspire students to achieve”.

Higher Education Digest May 2020

Machines cannot replace soft skills such as communicating with purpose and clarity, responsible leadership, creativity and innovation, managing diverse teams and leading change, resilience and tenacity etc

Higher Education Digest May 2020

is opening up newer possibilities and vistas to the people like never before. Today’s management professionals need to not only manage these contradictions but should also thrive and grow in this complex environment.

How can an MBA future-proof her career?

While there are so many factors that determine the success of the MBA’s, can we pick up the top five that will help an MBA survive and grow in this tumultuous world?

1. Love thy numbers: For long, non-finance management professionals, especially at entry-level loathe to work with numbers. Executives working in sales, marketing, HR, systems, etc. generally tended to avoid numbers – be it finance, or analytics related – till they reach mid-management level.

Beyond mid-management, when an executive was considered for senior management roles or profit center responsibility, the companies used to train/ re-train them with finance and other analytics skills.

But this will not be the case anymore. Executives, even at entry-level are expected to be savvy handling numbers – be it in sales or marketing, where the executives are expected to keep a tab on gross margins, profitability, yield, productivity, pricing, etc. or in HR where the executive is expected to use predictive analytics to anticipate attrition, performance assessment, training management and needs analysis, etc.

If one is looking forward to growing in any function in the organization, managing numbers – finance or analytics is becoming key. Developing a love for numbers is one of the key factors to a future-proof management career.

2. Thou shalt covet technology: I have known heads of large family-owned enterprises who have managed to run and scale up to large businesses without personally using technology. Their enterprises may be using technology. But they continue to remain tech illiterate. Possibly in their time, they did manage to get away without using technology. But not anymore.

Even at the entry-level – whatever be the function – being tech-savvy is a pre-requisite. Being tech-savvy doesn’t stop using social media or using MS Office. Knowledge of these is a given. What the organization expects is to go one or two notches above. A few areas could be – how to use social media for promoting products/ organization or how you can use social media for customer/ employee engagement or how one can use MS Excel for analytics or can you effectively use ERP tools or CRM tools like Salesforce. Can you use these tools to improve your/ your team’s productivity?

Technology is a game-changer. Taming technology can help an MBA future proof her career.

3. Thou shalt not forget transferable skills: In the nineteenth-century industrial revolution resulted in machines taking away dirty and hazardous jobs that humans used to do. Whereas in the twentieth century, machines took

Dr. R Sugant

away dull, boring and repetitive jobs. In the twenty-first century, machines are expected to take away jobs that involve decision making as well. Artificial intelligence and machine language will make choices and decisions faster and reliably than humans.

But what cannot be replaced by machines are soft skills.

Some of these include the ability to communicate with purpose and clarity, responsible leadership, creativity and innovation, managing teams – specifically diverse teams, adaptable to change and manage/ lead change, resilient in the face of adversity, the tenacity of purpose, etc.

These skills are transferable across functions, across companies, and industries. And these are skills that cannot be replaced by machines and very difficult to replicate.

Acquiring and constantly honing these skills can act as a key differentiator and a sure-shot way of a futureproofing management career.

4. Thou shalt engage in lifelong learning: There was a time when lifelong learning was limited to only a few professions – like medicine, teaching or professionals working in STEM areas. But the scenario is different now.

It is said that 50% of the occupations that exist today may not exist 10 years from now.

We are witnessing scenarios where several jobs are combined into one, multi-tasking is becoming mainstream, work is performed where it makes the most sense and work units are changing from functional departments to process teams and managers are expected to be coaches than supervisors.

To survive in this complex environment, it is essential to learn, unlearn, relearn continuously, right through the

lifetime. Stopping learning is a sure-shot way to decay.

Lifelong learning is a de rigueur for a future-proofing management career.

5. Thou shalt network, network, network: Successful people have two things in common – motivation and how they approach their interactions with other people. One cannot say that the lack of networking will break careers, but one can emphatically say that networking can make careers. Networking allows you to help others. And what one gives others always comes back multifold.

Networking opens doors to new opportunities and makes you visible to others in your ecosystem. It can help one introspect, reassess his/ her qualification and can help in improving intellectual capability. In today’s work environment, where employee’s roles are moving from ‘controlled’ to ‘empowered’, an executive must stretch his sphere of influence.

With social media, networking has become much easier. But the flip side is connecting has become so easy that one takes it for granted. It is good to network over social media, but the crux is in using it judiciously along with person-to-person networking. Effective networking is a key skill one should possess to ensure future-proofing of careers.

With businesses facing big challenges like exploding data, changing technology, shifting regulatory mechanisms, pressures on sustainability, focus on ethics and integrity, there can be many more factors that can help future-proof management careers. However, I would treat the above five as critical and as “The Five Commandments for futureproofing an MBA career”.

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ACADEMIC VIEWS

Emergence of Online Learning Platforms during COVID-19 Pandemic Dr. Vidya Shankar Shetty, Director, REVA University

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ature has its way of teaching lessons to mankind and when tough lessons are taught, Nature has grown to be a harsh teacher, whipping the learners, violating all codes of teachinglearning to ensure that the lessons are learned hard. COVID-19 has been one such instance for that sluggish teacher and for those conservative education institutions who sneered at all those who claimed remote instruction is not possible and classrooms will remain perpetually.

Pedagogy transformed itself into panicgogy as the world witnesses the pandemic wrath. The most hit have been education institutions where the young generation gathers day on day to take lessons, submit assignments and take assessments. The time of the year for this severe lesson has been well-timed, as Schools and Colleges and Universities were wrapping their academic year. No planning, short notice and a series of disruptions in the lesson plans. That is what we teachers are considered ready for all the time: the ability to plan for the year with lesson plans, session plans, activities and some of us also claimed that we are prepared for the shift of plans inside the classroom based on the temperament of the class and are adaptable. Well, we saw a lot of that. An unprecedented time that threw us off gear. Figuring alternate ways of teaching also went beyond control as teachers had no clue of alternate methods of supporting students. The smarter ones offloaded all work onto parents by sharing long assignments to students by mail, others have used impractical methods of tutoring that has left the learner perplexed.

Higher Education Digest May 2020

The pandemic has taught us that the time has come for us to ensure we explore all avenues of delivering teaching and that learning is prime

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Dr. Vidya Shankar Shetty

Dr. Vidya Shetty has a through and through career experience in Academics and Education ranging from K12 to Higher Education. Her career map has had her play diverse roles right from establishment to governance, ranging from setting up new schools in India and abroad, colleges, compliance and project handling of a greenfield University to her current role of Director at REVA University wherein she plays a crucial role in handling the Chancellor’s office and the portfolio of International Relations to place REVA University in the global education market.

Currently, the Director at REVA University, Dr. Vidya Shetty started her career as a Lecturer at St Agnes College, Mangalore, moved on to Bangalore after marriage, furthering her career with the Presidency Group with who she set up Schools, Colleges and a University periodically. She was also the Director for Manipal K-12 Education, setting up Schools countrywide and abroad. She was also the Director-Education at PEARSON K-12, India, the largest Education company in the world, wherein she set up 40 Institutions in India and Nepal. Her International exposure in Education was as Chief Academic Officer for Dr. B R Shetty group in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, wherein she set up schools for the Group and in Qatar and Saudi Arabia wherein she was on the Advisory Board for Schools and responsible for compliance and Performance Standards.

Self-motivated with strong planning, organizational and leadership skills, Dr. Vidya has to be conscientious, systematic and analytical in her approach to Education and believes in skill centered learning in Education

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Suddenly there is widespread acceptance by teachers of opting for video sessions, banking on that dormant online environment, exploring the official software that has been left unattended to at the office, making maximum use of WhatsApp groups, growing active on emails, use of ERP, twitter and ensuring students are engaged and are connected. Where we grudged our students of networking on various social media platforms, teachers are found scurrying around to create groups and build a community of learners.

Education has always been facing a challenging time, but this one is unprecedented and warrants a lot of thought and the most important support from our digital students.

A divide in the understanding of remote instruction is that we still believe slapping a lot of content on ppts is online support, sharing notes on topics is online support and this can be detrimental and create a disheveled impression of teaching on the youth.

Textbooks and reliability on textbooks have always been considered redundant. A classical example of this stems from our Gurukul system of learning, where the teacher interfaced with students only for a very short duration of the day. Rest was based on experiential learning, activities, reading on their own, exploration, assignments and tasks that were to be completed at an expected pace. Assessments were anecdotal and based on observation by the teacher, group activities and a final test that was skill-based and not book-based.

The pandemic has taught us that the time has come for us to ensure we explore all avenues of delivering teaching and that learning is prime.

Control over the classroom and adhering to the age-old ‘sage on the stage’ method is extinct. As teachers, we need to scale ourselves and build on this connectivity with our learners wherever they are. We consider ourselves guardians of the content that we develop for our students, the notes that we prepare for our classes and still consider working in silos.

We have now learned that content at these times has to be accessible to all and sharing lesson plans is the best way to support students.

As teachers indulge in various methods of supporting and caring for their learners, we see uploads of video lessons where the teacher sets herself up in front of her laptop and records her lessons. This is where the argument was of flexible learning and self-paced learning. Learners are at this point, downloading these lecture videos and listening to them and watching them at their time and pace.

PPTs are being made more interactive by teachers

Higher Education Digest May 2020

as they share slides with students. Sheer blackboard usage has been discouraged for long for it can set ennui in the learner while he sits for 40mins staring at all that you wrote on the board. Slides are far more organized while teaching lessons always taught us how to organize board work and make visual learning a different experience. Eye contact is one lesson that teachers are constantly being observed on; video lectures as we record them need the face of the teacher and her eye contact with the camera or else sustaining the interest of the students is a challenge. Of late, teachers have realized through feedback from parents and students, that long videos are boring. Well, that is what the age-old adage read that long lecture hours do not interest a learner.

There is a lot of planning that goes into activities as we design our instruction to rely on assignments.

Breaking away from the myth that as teachers we are expected to cover the syllabus and not allow students to discover the syllabus is a reality today. Where teacher interface is required is all that we are weighing on, the rest goes as planned assignments. Unclear assignment invites a lot of emails and messages from students.

This is one great learning, that the expectations are set for assignments.

Rubric based assignments and assessments have now become a reality. Expectation sets for assignments and long descriptive essays are bringing in the best outcomes from student essays. Moodle and other LMS that we never ventured to use have now come handy as we are quick to create interactive learning activities for students, develop quizzes, work on pre-reading and build other learning activities. Zoom sessions are growing to be a favorite with teachers and Microsoft teams are made the best use of. For the first time, collaborative, cooperative and flipped classrooms are reigning the world of education. Student groups and group projects are far more relaxed as students take ownership of their groups and the teacher grows to be a facilitator rather than an instructor.

Attendance has always been the biggest challenge for us, teachers. The pandemic has made attendance compulsory as students participate in online sessions, submit assignments in time, ensure there is compliance and most of all are engaged in learning as this is the only option being given to them. Some lessons are learned the hard way but learn we must and COVID-19 has been a rather severe learning lesson for teachers and the lessons are certainly learned well

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Higher Education Digest May 2020

MARKET WATCH

Certify your love for Chocolates with Cocoashala!

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L Nitin Chordia, Founder, Cocoashala

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chocolate lover can go on and on about chocolate, be it its history, different assortments of cacao, how they are originated, various ways of tasting chocolate and the exact process of how chocolates are made. But imagine if you could take all of this up a notch and become a certified chocolate taster?

In conversation with L Nitin Chordia, Founder of Cocoashala, an institution that offers certification courses making chocolates and tasting, we get to know more about the institutions and the unique courses they are offering to the public.

What is Cocoashala?

Cocoashala is a Chennai, India based institute and the only institute in the world offering specialized end to end International certification courses/programs in Bean to Bar chocolate making and Fine chocolate tasting/appreciation. The specific aim to offer these courses all under one umbrella is to foster and expedite the growth of bean to bar chocolate industry in India, with hands-on and holistic learning-based philosophy and approach. These courses are being offered for the last four years.

Higher Education Digest May 2020

Chocolate tasting and bean to bar chocolate making are two different career paths that will need specific expertise and skillset going forward

31 L Nitin Chordia

L Nitin Chordia is India’s 1st Certified Chocolate Taster and Cocoa Post Harvest Professional.

Currently based in Chennai, Nitin has tasted 2800+ different chocolates in his 6-year career. Nitin operates Kocoatrait, an initiative to promote knowledge, production, and consumption of fine chocolates in India. He is a Judge at the International Chocolate Awards in London. Nitin hosts the chocolate taster certifications in India in collaboration with IICCT, UK and delivers Level 1 modules for IICCT, in London and Chennai. Along with his wife Poonam, (a trained chocolatier and a Level 2 certified chocolate taster) he operates Cocoashala, a chocolate school that delivers the basic & advanced levels of Bean to Bar chocolate making training and beyond. Nitin has incubated 2 of India’s most innovative and largest bean to bar chocolate brands at his research & incubation center in Chennai, India, including Kocoatrait, the world’s most sustainable chocolate.

Higher Education Digest May 2020

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L Nitin Chordia

The 4-day Bean to Bar Certification Program, which has been conceived in Cocoashala, is specifically useful for an entrepreneur who wishes to start their own Bean to Bar Chocolate business

Higher Education Digest May 2020

What courses are you offering at Cocoashala?

Chocolate tasting and bean to bar chocolate making are two different career paths that will need specific expertise and skillset going forward. Cocoashala offers the chocolate testing certification, in collaboration with the International Institute of Fine Chocolate and Cacao Tasting (IICCT), UK, exclusively for India. We host students from across the world in Chennai on an annual basis for the Level 1,2, &3 courses. Another course we offer is the Bean to Bar Chocolate Making Certification Course that is conceived by us, with over 6 years of experience in this domain.

Can you tell us more about the Chocolate Tasting Course?

The Level 1 & 2 of the Chocolate Tasting Certification Course are entirely classroombased. We understand the art of fine Chocolate Tasting, Depreciation, and of course, test multiple good and defective chocolates. The learning is via testing. The participants are made to understand various flavors that they never thought existed in chocolate and analyze what goes into to making the chocolate so that defects can be pointed out.

Level One is a 1 Day Program, the Level 2 is a 3-Day Program and Level 3 is a 5 Day Program. Level 3 of this program will be offered for the first time in India this year and tales visiting coca farms and understanding the farming aspects and the impact of that on the flavor profile of the chocolate will also be discussed.

What can a participant expect from the Bean to Bar Chocolate Making Program?

The 4-day Bean to Bar Certification Program, which has been conceived in Cocoashala, is specifically useful for an entrepreneur who wishes to start their own Bean to Bar Chocolate business. During these 4 days, each participant is taken through the entire process of how cocoa beans are grown, fermented, dried, and then roasted to unlock the flavors before they refine or grind the chocolate. The participants understand each piece of equipment in detail

and get familiar with them. The participants understand the various aspects of the raw material and recipe formation that are possible with bean to bar chocolate. At the end of the four days, participants would have completed making three batches of chocolate and they take them back along with them for reference.

We do a round of tasting chocolates as well.

Further, the profit and loss and financials for 3 different capacities of production are discussed and the return on investment is calculated.

We can host a maximum of 5 people in this program since it is hands-on.

What are the conditions for the participants to join these courses?

For both the certification programs, the age restriction would be around 18 years and there are no prerequisites to join the Level 1 chocolate taster’s certification course. Anyone with some interest in chocolates is welcome to join. However, to progress to Level 2 & 3, the student must have passed the exams of the previous level. For the Bean to Bar chocolate making certification, there are no real entry criteria either because we see professionals from various industries with no background about food entering the course and successfully executing their plans.

How does this certificate make its participants stand out in the Industry?

Both courses are tuned towards the current & future opportunities that exist in the Bean to Bar chocolate and cocoa industry. As the cocoa and chocolate industry progress in India, there will be a need to understand that raw material and final chocolate better. After doing a Bean to bar chocolate making course one can immediately turn an entrepreneur and start his own Bean to bar chocolate brand.

The chocolate tasting certification course is particularly very useful as an added qualification for both a bean to bar chocolate maker as well as a professional who wants to contribute to the quality assurance or product development departments of a chocolate company. As we say, “When you have grapes in hand, you can decide to make grape juice with it or a fine wine!�

Higher Education Digest May 2020

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STATE INSTITUTE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT, BALANGIR

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WHERE FUTURE HOTELIER KINGPINS ARE MADE

‘G

ive a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’. This is a famous quote by Maimonides. This quote showcases what must lie at the heart of education and State Institute of Hotel Management, Balangir, is an educational institute that was built on this quote. State Institute of Hotel Management, Balangir (SIHM) was established to bring the light of modern education into the life of socially and economically backward students of the KBK districts of the western part of Odisha to help them get the most modern stream of education. Thus, facilitating them to establish milestones in their career life and, and in the long run, in life itself.

Since its inception in 2004, SIHM envisions to be the educational institution by providing world-class education in diverse emerging disciplines

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to produce conscientious and learned professional who can contribute significantly to the socioeconomic development of the nation. SIHM also envisions to provide value-based high-quality education to the students, impart and train the students both theoretically and practically on the latest developments in their branches of study, continuously upgrade the technical facilities and faculty on par with the best institutions in the region & country, and in the process grow to be one of the best provider of quality education.

SIHM currently operates from a beautiful building in a picturesque

Higher Education Digest May 2020

Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, IAS, Chairman (SIHM, Balangir) CommissionerCum-Secretary, Tourism Dept., Govt. Of Odisha

Shri Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, IAS, Administrator (SIHM, Balangir) Director Tourism, Govt. of Odisha.

36 Suresh Kumar Eknath, Principal, SIHM Balangir

Higher Education Digest May 2020

location on the outskirts of Balangir town on the Balangir – Titlagarh state highway. Keeping in view the advancements in the ever-evolving hospitality industry, SIHM has been equipped with modern labs to effectively train prospective students in the various aspects of Hotel Operations.

Courses Offered Set up with joint assistance from the Govt. of Odisha and Govt. of India with a view to training and developing skilled manpower for the dynamic Hotel Tourism Industry, SIHM offers four different demand-driven courses in core hospitality operations ranging from B.Sc. In Hospitality & Hotel Administration, Diploma in Food Production, Diploma in Food & Beverage Service, Diploma in Front Office Operation, Diploma in House Keeping Operation, Diploma in Bakery & Confectionary, Craftsmanship Certificate Course in Food & Beverage service to Craftsmanship Certificate Course in Food Production & Patisserie.

Adopting a hand-on-training methodology for its students, in which the students are sent out on regular intervals for a firsthand experience of the operation of the hospitality industry, the institute also provides regular inputs session by reputed Chef,

General Manager, F & B Manager, Housekeeping Manager and Front Office Executive of various five-star properties.

Moreover, the students are also encouraged to prepare internet based/research-based submission of projects on regional cuisine, changing trend of hospitality and forgotten and lost recipes of the various region.

Always maintaining a good rapport with the industry across the country as well as abroad, SIHM provides its students with regular internship programs, wherein they are sent on a pre guided training program for a short duration to the various top-class property to check the changing hospitality world.

The students are encouraged to write reports on the industry visit and the Institute has taken steps in collaborating with sustained training and development program for a continuous basis for its students. As a result, the students receive a firsthand exposure, gaining valuable knowledge and experience that employers seek in future employees.

The teaching faculty at SIHM are recruited based on the rules introduced by NCHMCT, where candidates who have cleared the NHTET exam (National Hospitality Teacher Eligibility Test) are recruited. This ensures that experts with proper knowledge bases are hired. Apart from this, the Institute

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SIHM envisions to be the educational institution by providing world-class education in diverse emerging disciplines to produce conscientious and learned professional who can contribute significantly to the socioeconomic development of the nation development of the nation

Higher Education Digest May 2020

Received awards for excellence in hospitality education for three consecutive years (2008-09, 2009-10 & 2010-11)

conducts training for the teaching faculties at various hotels to keep them updated about the latest trends in the industry and keep them educated. SIHM also have a teacher diary system called the teacher logbook, wherein teachers are requested to reflect the topics that they have covered in their classes. This teacher diary is regularly evaluated by the Principal and is matched with the syllabus to ensure completion of the syllabus in time. Apart from the teacher diary set, standardized notes on the subject are also maintained. These notes are enriched by theoretical inputs and are distributed among the students.

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Higher Education Digest May 2020

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The effectiveness of SIHM’s teachinglearning methodologies can be seen in the achievements of its students; for instance. Mr. Sudhir Singh a student of Diploma In Front Office Operation ranked All India Topper in the Annual Diploma Examination conducted

by NCHMCT in 2008. Consecutively three years Food Production department students won All India Level First Rank namely: 1.

Soumya Panda – 2009, 2. Sunil Mahapatra – 2010, 3. Priya Ranjan Mallick – 2011 in the Annual Diploma Examination conducted by NCHMCT. Ms. Sumitra Sahoo was All India Topper in NCHMCT examination 2017,

Higher Education Digest May 2020

40 Housekeeping Dept. Ms. Samparna Nayak, a student of Diploma Food Production trade topped in the NCHMCT examination in 2017, Banti Choudhury , a student of Diploma Food Production trade topped 2nd in the NCHMCT examination in 2017. Mr. Akash K Pillai a student of Craftsmanship Certificate Course in F&B Service topped in the NCHMCT examination in 2017. Mr. Bansidhar Seth, a student of Craftsmanship Certificate Course in F&B Service trade topped the NCHMCT examination in 2019, Ms. Pradayeeni Dash a student of Diploma Housekeeping trade topped 2nd in the NCHMCT examination in 2018-19 and also the fact that SIHM, Balangir has been Ranked as No.1 Institute at all-India level and has won the Best SIHM Award (all round performance) at National Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Education for the years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11.

This is also why corporate kingpins like Ocean Gourmet Delite, Chennai; Barbeque Nation, Bangalore; Marriott Hotel, Indore; Infosys, Chennai; Deo Residency, Jajpur; Citrus Cunningham, Bengaluru; Four Point Sheraton, Vadodara; The Park,

Higher Education Digest May 2020

Bengaluru; Radisson Blu, Chennai; Hotel Park Plaza, Chennai; Mayfair Spa, Resort & Casino, Gangtok; Hotel Mayfair Palm Beach Resort, Gopalpur; Courtyard by Marriott Madurai, Madurai; Fairfield by Marriott Amritsar, Amritsar; Lemon Tree Premier, East Delhi; and Hilton, Chennai approach State Institute of Hotel Management, Balangir to recruit the creme le creme.

SIHM in the Offing Moving forward, State Institute of Hotel Management, Balangir, intends to continue to train its students with International standard of hospitality education and imparting knowledge, skill and attitude for providing suitable manpower in the Global hospitality and service industry. To this extent, SIHM plans to send its students for an international internship, introduce international level degree courses, carving courses, French and other modern language courses, and organize international workshop and seminar on changing trend of modern hospitality.

Want to Sell or find Investor for your Business?

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Higher Education Digest May 2020

ACADEMIC VIEW

The Changing Face of the Classrooms Today Lakshmi Annapurna Chintaluri, Independent Education Consultant

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ot all classrooms have four walls� – Anonymous Change is the order of life. It is the new constant in this changing world. Change is something that will be experienced in every sphere of life ranging from communication to the way we live. In the field of education, changes can be seen in every aspect ranging from teaching to learning and administration.

The advent of technology, identifying the needs and requirements of the students to enable them to face the challenges of their tomorrow is providing opportunities for innovative methods in teaching and learning.

The 2078 Curriculum?

Beginning with the curriculum, changes have been brought in to meet the needs and requirements of the 21st-century learner. Ken Robinson points out that students who join school today will retire in 2078. Information about the kind of jobs, professions or fields they would handle is practically non-existent today, thereby posing a challenge to educators. The challenge is that of identifying the knowledge and skills to be taught to the present generation. To meet the requirements of this generation, the identification of the skills and values which can help them face the challenges of their tomorrow is the need of the hour, which needs to be incorporated into the curriculum.

The curriculum needs to enable the educators to create opportunities for the students to develop critical thinking, creative thinking, problem-solving skills, analytical reasoning skills, be able to apply the knowledge gained into real-life situations in a happy learning environment. It is these skills along with the humane values and life skills which will form the backbone for the students to enable them to handle the challenges that they are going to face tomorrow even if these challenges are completely unknown today.

In this context, it becomes imperative that in the curriculum, more

Higher Education Digest May 2020

In the field of education, Automated Research and Information Stacking seem to be some strong applications of AI

43 Lakshmi Annapurna Chintaluri

Lakshmi Annapurna Chintaluri, an Independent Education Consultant, has completed her Masters in Sociology from Madurai Kamraj University, Honours in Systems Management from NIIT Ltd., and acquired the Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership from Harvard University, USA. She is also a certified Lead Auditor for the ISO 9001 – 2015 standards. Her experience spans 25 years in the field of education with 22 years in a leadership position, as a franchisee owner of NIIT LEDA and NIIT@School of NIIT Ltd., and as a Vice-Principal and Principal in various schools in the Middle East.

Higher Education Digest May 2020

Lakshmi Annapurna Chintaluri

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The education system has become more about students learning stuff rather than teachers teaching stuff

than the “What” of the curriculum, it is “How” it is delivered that needs to change. Consequently, the learning environment – The Classroom – needs to mirror this change.

Environment for Futuristic Learners The classroom is the place where students get the opportunity to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement, gain and apply

Higher Education Digest May 2020

knowledge, acquire both academic and social skills and make connections with the real world. The classroom is a second home to the students and the place where they realize their potential. Hence it has to be a reflection of their needs. This can be understood by observing the outcomes achieved by the students.

Today’s students are very specific about the way they learn. They would like to learn by experiencing,

acting, role play, playing, exploring and finding out. These learners also exhibit a tendency to be highly curious and to take risks. They are ready to take initiatives and take on challenges. These learners show a “can do” attitude, a willingness to explore the world around them and to engage in open-ended activities. They expect teachers to mold their teaching styles to suit the learning styles of the students. The futuristic classroom has to be learner-focused. The classroom needs to provide an atmosphere to help the students to learn from each other and share the knowledge gained, help them to identify their abilities and be able to choose their study of interest, nurture their curiosity by creating opportunities for innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, analyzing and synthesizing, challenging their minds to find innovative solutions, use technology to easily access expertise in the various fields, ability to reflect on what is being learned and compete with themselves to put them on the road to improvement by constant self-evaluation.

Aristotle said, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all”. An ambiance in the classroom that caters to Social and Emotional learning is another major factor that needs to be considered, keeping in mind the happiness quotient, fostering emotional intelligence and mental health of the students which enables students to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Environment for Futuristic Teachers The seating arrangement of the classroom also needs a transformation. Robert Sommer says “The teacher’s educational philosophy will be reflected in the layout of the classroom.” Hence classrooms have to be intentionally designed to support different modes of learning to enable students to stay engaged – for example, individual study, group work, presentations, peer-to-peer discussion, and one-on-one instruction. Research shows that students take more ownership of their classroom when they can choose their seats, are given the freedom to move around when needed – for example, to see the board, to get away from a noisy neighbor, and perhaps sit near the window where there’s natural light.

To facilitate this learning environment, the role of a teacher has to undergo a transformation from being a “Sage on the stage” to being a “Guide on the side”, by providing opportunities for the students in the classroom to take responsibility for their own learning. Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences and identification of the learning styles which includes auditory, visual and kinaesthetic learners has brought in technology, activityoriented teaching, and project-based learning to the classrooms, which gave impetus to the industry to bring about many teaching aids in the form of multimedia-based software, activity kits, etc., albeit with a price.

The teachers also need to equip themselves with skills to provide an environment where the students experience safety, security, respectful and a supporting atmosphere in the classroom, by fully embracing the diversity and equity in education, focussing on the Cognitive, Emotional and Social domains in equal measure. Strategies about social and instructional teaching practices will go a long way in facilitating short term and long term outcomes about positive behavior, academic success and mental health of the students.

Role of Technology The arrival of technology to the classrooms has brought in sea changes in the way lessons are delivered and the blueprint of the classrooms changed with the required equipment to aid technology. Although there are many options which are provided to the teachers with readymade lesson plans etc., personally, I believe that the teaching aids prepared by the teacher either in the form of slides or videos or activity-oriented teaching where the students are encouraged to learn by doing are the best teaching aids that the teacher can have to facilitate teaching and learning. The use of technology without the interface of the teacher does not contribute to an active classroom.

In conclusion, it is only a matter of time before we see classrooms with nature and other elements embedded as its ambiance to enable students to progress in a positive learning environment and grow into happy and proficient adults. So, the questions to be asked of the schools are, how much time do they need, to first realize the need for change and then adapt to it adeptly and secondly, do they have a choice?

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Higher Education Digest May 2020

MENTOR’S MANTRA

Education in the New-Age Dr. (Prof) Nigam Nuggehalli, Dean, School of Law at BML Munjal University

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How has the Education System changed over time?

The education system has become more about students learning stuff rather than teachers teaching stuff. When the education system focusses on what teachers do, it makes the students passive participants in the learning process. When instead, the focus is on student learning, the students are active learners in the system with two consequences: the emphasis is on what the students need to do in order to learn better and there is also at the same time the acknowledgment that student-focused learning can and must include some level of customization because every student is different. On the latter point, many universities already follow some level of customization whether they label it as such or not. For example, a project assignment in any course is a nod to customization because it encourages a student to address academic issues through the vantage point of a topic that he or she has chosen.

How innovative is the New-Age Education System?

I suppose we must ask first what we understand by the new age education system. I think by this term we mean a system that engages with students through means that manage to capture their attention and makes optimum use of their abilities. Further, it is a system that imparts knowledge that is more attuned to contemporary times and harnesses technology’s benefits in both curriculum delivery and in assessments. From this perspective,

Higher Education Digest May 2020

There is one grain of truth in the tedium of the old educational practices: practice, practice, and more practice

49 Dr. (Prof) Nigam Nuggehalli

Dr. (Prof) Nigam Nuggehalli is the Dean at the School of Law at BML Munjal University. He holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford Faculty of Law, an LLM in Taxation from New York University and a BA., LLB (Hons.) from the National Law School of India University. As a lawyer and as a law academic, Professor Nuggehalli has practiced and taught a variety of legal subjects (contracts, commercial law, corporate law, taxation) with reference to the legal regimes in the United States, the United Kingdom, and India. He has extensive research and publication experience in legal issues relating to international taxation, commercial law, and statutory interpretation.

Higher Education Digest May 2020

The education system has become more about students learning stuff rather than teachers teaching stuff

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Dr. (Prof) Nigam Nuggehalli

Higher Education Digest May 2020

there have been some innovations such as the seminar and clinical systems of teaching that are more experiential and student-focused but overall there isn’t as much innovation as there should be. For example, I think we need a lot more audio and video engagement in teaching than what is going on now. There continues to be an emphasis on classroom teaching which is inimical both to how students learn and what they learn. Sitting for hours in a packed classroom can make even the most diligent student disengaged from the subject. But that’s not the only problem. A course that is heavily dependent on classroom teaching is then depriving itself of other means (through, for example, field visits) of imparting knowledge and skills to students.

Can you elaborate on the importance of an Interdisciplinary Approach in Teaching?

The interdisciplinary approach relies on two insights into the education curriculum and pedagogy. First, knowledge is holistic. One can’t obtain a comprehensive understanding of the law on cybersecurity unless one becomes acquainted with cyber technology, the globalized economy, regulation theory, and criminal law. A law student has to traverse beyond an understanding of a particular branch of law to better understand that branch of the law. Second, students must learn how to apply what they have learned to unfamiliar situations. They can’t learn this important skill unless they learn to make interconnections between different domains of knowledge. A student who has learned urban building codes cannot apply her knowledge to Gurugram municipality licensing regulations unless she has already learned how to synthesize together information from various domains such as the law, building codes, urban design, and licensing regulations.

How is Experiential Learning impacting Students?

Experiential learning, i.e learning that exposes students to the real-world environment or simulates the real-world experience enables the students to acquire three important skills: it

makes them good at applying the information that they have acquired (described in my reply to the previous question), it forces them to communicate better in written and oral form because in the real world the communication of ideas is as important as the ideas themselves, and it makes the students more effective, ie the students understand what it takes to work towards the fulfillment of key goals in imperfect conditions.

What old practices can be inculcated into the New-Age Education System?

There is one grain of truth in the tedium of the old educational practices: practice, practice, and more practice. For any skill to be honed to an adequate level of competence, one needs an effective loop of practice and feedback.

The older educational systems, through their insistence on a treadmill of assessments, made sure that students gained something through repetitive assessments. But these assessments relied far too much on rote learning and were of limited value. However, assessments that demand creativity and application will benefit from being repeated because students will become skilled at tasks only through practice.

What steps can be taken to leverage Technology in the Education System?

Technology is exciting for education because it can make learning fun, assessments more targeted, and feedback more productive.

Universities must experiment with podcasts and 3-D video recordings. I think a major game-changer would be improved video technology that enables students to interact with and not merely watch or listen to professionals from across the world. This would strengthen the experiential part of university learning. Improved analytics would enable teachers to understand whether assessments have achieved the learning outcome of the courses that they have taught.

The feedback that harnesses technology in such a way that the students are able to receive both peer and tutor feedback on a real-time basis would enhance the learning experience for students.

Higher Education Digest May 2020

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ACADEMIC VIEW

How AI will transform e-Learning in the next decade Ankush Koul, National Academic Director, Extramarks Education India Pvt. Ltd.

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hat if a computer can be made to think and decide? That’s exactly what Artificial Intelligence is capable of. Solving problems and giving an outcome by mere observation of events and patterns is the next thing where all stakeholders are eyeing at.

In the field of education, Automated Research and Information Stacking seem to be some strong applications of AI. In today’s cut-throat competition, AI brings an opportunity for all learners to achieve precise and desired outcomes. The impact of these technologies in practical educational settings has been relatively modest until recently. However, technical developments over recent years suggest that the situation may be changing rapidly.

Will AI Help to improve the learning engagement process?

At the core of any e-learning or a classroom program lies the purpose of making a student go through a continuous learning and feedback cycle. This cycle is of utmost significance and includes improvement in scores, learning patterns, and enhanced classroom involvement. But it should not become an apathy at some point in time. Being a process that requires unshakable determination and towering patience among peers, it often loses sight and becomes a tiresome activity after a few days. A more insightful reason for non-compliance with this student improvement cycle is a human intervention across a big volume of students.

Now here comes the AI, the new astrologer in town. With its data computational tools and techniques, AI uses human cognition, pattern reading, and behavior simulation, to give an outcome based upon these. Now the student is automated into a process of continuous improvement through this technology. AI has taken classrooms and learning platforms by storm through its pattern reading techniques, thereby helping stakeholders understand the

Higher Education Digest May 2020

In the field of education, Automated Research and Information Stacking seem to be some strong applications of AI

53 Ankush Koul

Ankush is an Edutech Enthusiast, keen on transforming the way teaching is imparted. He is an out of the box thinker, influencer, and motivator. He is an M Tech. graduate in Microelectronics, with a decade of experience in the Education industry. Ankush is an avid academician with established expertise in Higher Education and Test Preparation segment. An analytical mind who has been working with students across sectors of education, trained them academically and made them resilient mentally to reach their set goals.

Higher Education Digest May 2020

exact emotion of the student in a given learning environment. What more can a teacher ask for than capturing every move a student makes in his mind, micro analyzing the responses and bringing out the best outcome?

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Ankush Koul

Even global giants who are currently working head and heart on AI and its improvements have appreciated Indian Techies for their leading-edge technological innovations

Higher Education Digest May 2020

Which AI tool will be a game-changer in the education sector?

Well, AI uses some impressive and big as life techniques such as Machine Learning, Automated Research, Information Aggregator, Decision Support Systems, and Virtual Private Assistants.

While Machine Learning tops the list with its hardcore computations to convert user patterns into something that a machine can actually understand, the later features are no less.

Machine learning emphasizes on making a computer to learn automatically and improve from experience. It is similar to what is expected out of a student, to learn and improve with experience. This also caters to the basic requirement of a learning process over any learning platform. Machine learning along with other lesser-known features like Virtual Private Assistants for the students will really be an interesting bet. As per a survey published by PWC, 100 percent of decision-makers from education industry believed that Machine learning will create the maximum impact.

What is the future of AI in the Indian Education System?

Education continues to be a major concern in almost all developing countries. AI tools and techniques that are adept at imparting high-quality education to India’s culturally, linguistically and regionally diverse population could also prove very useful in other developing nations. At this point, the whole world can see India’s potential as a leader in AI because of its proven track record in technology. Indian IT firms have been pioneers in developing and introducing technology products and solutions across the globe. Even global giants who are currently working head and heart on AI and its improvements have appreciated Indian Techies for their leading-edge technological innovations.

As AI matures and its basic applications become much common and humdrum, India will emerge in its processes for large scale implementation of AI across all age groups, across all school groups and across all privileged as well the underprivileged.

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Higher Education Digest May 2020

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Higher Education Digest May 2020