Prof (Dr) S K Agrawal is currently serving as Dean at Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner. He has voluminous academic output to his credit, and was conferred upon the LeAP (Leadership for Academicians Programme) Award by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (now MoE), Government of India in 2020. With a rich experience as Senior Professor and Academic Administrator, he has immensely contributed towards academics as Member on the Board of Governors of several Central and State Universities as well. 

Maharaja Ganga Singh University

What is your philosophy of leadership?

“Leading sound and contemporaneous changes for improvement”

Change does not just happen - it must be led, and led deftly. Effective education leaders take an active role in making specific changes happen, by engaging people in the process of personal and institutional change, and improvements. They also help reshape the operating context of their institutions to make them less change averse, more efficient, agile and change capable. It is the interaction between sound, linked leadership and a directly aligned, agile, efficient and supportive operative context and culture that counts. A leader must take initiatives to evolve a supportive and cooperative interaction mechanism. 

What are the major challenges you see for Higher Education in India?

“Good governance to regulate the functioning of Higher Education Institutes”

The role of a university in shaping the student’s future depends on a transparent, progressive and socially responsible educational system. The Indian Universities suffer from the ailment of Governance Conundrum, which has culminated into Poor Governance. Poor Governance in turn has resulted into some major problems - Problem of Trust, Lack of Transparency, Crisis of Teachability, Absence of Technology Transfer, Disbelief in Indian Intellectual Traditions, Absence of Applied Research Techniques and Absence of Alumni Trajectory. In order to achieve this, we need good governance which increases optimization of resources and infrastructure in the Higher Education Institutions.

How do you enhance the skills of the faculty and prepare them for teaching?

“Provision for hub-and-spoke model for Faculty Development and Exchange”

The University has prepared a time bound agenda to recruit faculties. The University intends to ease recruitment norms, and make them more transparent by introducing reforms in the selection process of Faculty Members. Besides, the University has developed a structured and transparent framework to evaluate performance of Faculty Members. To motivate the Faculty Members to do better, a transparent and effective performance- based remuneration system is also in pipeline. The University also aspires to have a hub-and-spoke Model for Faculty development and exchange. The University also ensures active participation by best-in-class Faculty from top-tier institutions to be a part of the hub for training and development of Faculty members from other Institutions. In addition, the University has decided to recruit international faculty to ensure international exposure on the campus.

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How does the curriculum of MGSU ensure best practices of the industry?

“Learner-centred Paradigm of Education and Platforms for Academia-Industry Interactions”

The University has introduced revolutionary changes in its curricula to introduce the market driven, and ideology driven courses i.e., the courses which project Indian cultural ethos. We, at MGSU, have adopted a learner - centred paradigm of education. The University has also introduced liberal art approach and multidisciplinary courses for students to get a holistic exposure. In accordance with the spirit of NEP-2020, it has also introduced more basic skill-based courses such as Certification and Associate Degree Programs, Dual Degree Programs and enabled Flexibility to enter and exit the higher education system. In addition, we have introduced courses on Entrepreneurship and Self-employment to impart relevant skills to develop future business leaders for the country. To avail the locational advantage, the University has developed platforms for academia-industry interactions to facilitate collaborations. Also, we have promoted Continuing Education for working professionals and introduced Blended Learning Model using Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).

How do you tend to train students for the highly competitive scenario outside?

“Leveraging high quality facilities and resources for all round training”

MGSU has attached great care to the design and construction of facilities to provide the required infrastructural environment for academic and educational excellence. We possess adequate state-of-the-art laboratories that are essential for the production of scientific work of a high academic calibre. MGSU is ensuring the provision of facilities for active learning, problem and project-based learning, peer learning and teamwork, in addition to convention lecture halls and classrooms. Computer facilities are being made available throughout the University. Also, MGSU has developed technology-based models such as virtual classrooms to widen access to high quality teaching. The University has developed Centres of Research Excellence, and promotes collaborative research within academia as well. We have initiated measures to develop industry and academia collaborations to promote applied research, community focused and development-oriented research also. Moreover, industry professionals are invited to deliver lectures, and are also encouraged to take up faculty positions for fixed terms. The University has also promoted tie-ups and partnerships with skill-based training providers to launch employment centred modules.

What do you think should be MGSU’s top priority over the next 10 years?

“International recognition and world class academic status”

Excellent universities are not only high in education and research rankings but are also part of a region that ranks high on the innovation index. MGSU aims at achieving its utmost potential in terms of 21st century skills and capabilities as well as in research, both to develop more public knowledge and to acquire patents and develop spin offs. MGSU strives for the best it can do to ensure that the students can fully develop themselves so as to be well-prepared for the future both in the labour market and in wider society. We aspire world-wide striving for excellence by taking research- based learning on board, by embracing problem-based learning, often in settings of developing entrepreneurship and by being proactive with start-ups and patents. MGSU’s mission is to break the frontiers which create obstructions in knowledge creation and knowledge transfer.

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What can an inbound student gain from studying here in your university?

“Standards of educational and academic excellence”

MGSU has deployed transformational and innovative measures across all levels including Faculty, Curricula, Pedagogy, Research, Partnerships, Infrastructure, Governance and Leadership to achieve the envisioned state i.e., to become one of the Top 100 World Universities. To excel in research, the University has established Centres and Chairs. Besides, the University has also developed Knowledge Creation and Knowledge Transfer Platforms We have international collaborations which have provision for student-exchange that broaden the research, technology transfer and knowledge exchange, and ensure the student’s international exposure. MGSU intends to establish an Anuvad Kendra to facilitate the translation processes and thereby create a Knowledge Pool overcoming the language barriers. We have also taken in hand the task of acquiring access to government research grants through a merit- based system, and have incentivized and supported R & D activities.