Real-world exposure is today extremely important for graduates to be job-ready. In an exclusive interview, Dr Raj Singh, VC, Bennett University, tells APAC Media how Bennett University co-creates and co-delivers courses that lead to real-world problem-solving.
How is the university adapting its curriculum and learning methods to keep pace with rapid technological advancements and digital transformation?
Technological advancements may appear to be disruptive, but at Bennett University, we take this as an opportunity to innovate education delivery. The permission to deliver up to 40 per cent online,e even in regular programs, can be used so that the students learn (particularly the theory component) from the best in the world rather than the same faculty member delivering the entire course. This saves time for students to learn from activities outside the classroom, including the field-based research projects and internships.
Our in-house portal SocioEd enables faculty members to not only generate PowerPoint presentations but also record lectures, prepare summaries, pause and assess based on real-time quizzes, and provide instant feedback, thus using resources optimally.
In what ways does the university integrate emerging technologies such as AI, data science, and digital tools into student learning?
In addition to the use of technologies mentioned earlier, AI-based tools are used in continuous assessment (the foundation of outcome-based education), question bank-based evaluation with instant results, etc. Another important way to use technologies is to digitise assessment rubrics to capture learnings from activities outside the classroom, which remain outside the assessment, even though maximum learning happens outside the classroom.
This also aligns well with the National Credit Framework (NCrF), which is a meta framework emphasising creditization of learning from academic courses, skill-based courses and experience-based courses/ activities, provided they are assessed. We not only offer pathways in AI and Data Science but also use these tools in analysis and data-driven decision making, giving essential feedback to the teaching-learning process.
How does Bennett University work with industry partners to give students real-world exposure and career-oriented experiences?
Real-world exposure is extremely important for graduates to be job-ready. In addition to often-used guest lectures and industry visits, at Bennett, we co-create and co-deliver courses. Increased emphasis on multiple internships during the program and inter and transdisciplinary projects that lead to real-world problem-solving are some of the ways we work with our industry partners.
The industry partners also help in shaping the research agenda of the university, wherein the industry partner/ guides take the lead in line with the RDI (Research, Development and Innovation) initiative of the Government of India launched in 2025.
What steps are being taken to continuously upskill faculty so they can better prepare students for the evolving job market?
The quantum of change in the Higher Education landscape during the last decade, particularly post NEP 2020 announcement in July 2020, is so profound that faculty development and training are as important as ever before. Some of the areas of training are Outcome Based Education (OBE), National Credit Framework (NCrF), evaluation reforms, use of AI in education delivery and assessment, Online delivery of contents (both synchronous and asynchronous), MOOC development, rubric-based assessment, designing pedagogical tools to ensure attainment of Higher Order Learning Outcomes (HOLOs), involving students in research and innovation are some of the urgent areas of faculty development.
In addition, the faculty members need to upskill and reskill themselves in their own domains continuously. This is often done through professional certifications, earning micro-credentials and faculty internships and exchange programs with a strong list of our foreign university partners that includes prestigious names like University of California, Berkley, University of Cambridge, University College London, University of Sheffield, Babson, University of Birmingham, Reading University, Waikato University, to name a few.
What is your long-term vision for Bennett University in building future-ready graduates equipped with the right skills, mindset, and adaptability?
Bennett University has a profound and compelling vision “to be a global leader in education, research, and innovation, empowering a higher learning ecosystem”. Towards this, we have created an ecosystem of inter and transdisciplinary learning with a focus on solving real-world problems of the industry, community and society. The research focus is evident from the state-of the art labs, strong PhD program, research-integrated curricula, industry-led research agenda and strong support for faculty research.
Bennett Hatchery is supporting the entrepreneurship endeavours of all students. Alignment of research agenda with the global, regional, national and local issues, missions and priorities helps develop individuals who are well-rounded and creative, capable of personal accomplishment and enlightenment, constructive public engagement, and make productive contributions to society, as envisaged in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
