In an exclusive conversation with MBAUniverse.com, Rajendra Pawar, the Pro-Chancellor of NIIT University, shared that NIIT University will also house a cutting edge B-school.
Mr Rajendra S Pawar, chairman of the NIIT Group, started his journey in 1981, with his IIT batch mate Mr Vijay Thadani, when NIIT pioneered the computer education market in India. Today his company NIIT encompasses two businesses: NIIT Technologies Limited, the software and services arm, and NIIT Limited, the learning services organization. In recent years, NIIT’s learning services has launched NIIT Imperia and Institute of Finance, Banking & Insurance (IFBI). Mr Pawar is also a member of the Planning Commission’s Task Force on Skill Development.
Excerpts from the exclusive interview:
Q: What is the main objective behind the launch of NIIT University?
A: I strongly feel that there are a lot of systemic flaws in our education system. For instance, it lacks the flexibility to allow youngsters to choose their education path as they go along. An engineering student cannot move over to disciplines like film-making or music with ease. Why?
So the idea behind NIIT University is to provide the students an all round and holistic education, while offering much needed flexibility.
As the National Knowledge Commission points out, there are several areas where we need significant reforms. We will like NIIT University to become a testing platform for all the new ideas related to reforming the education sector.
Q: What would you say are the core principles on which NIIT University is based?
A: There are four core principles on which NIIT University is based on Industry-linked, Technology-based, Research-driven and ‘seamless’ opportunities.
Industry plays a significant role in identifying new courses, designing curricula, facilitating hands-on training to students, sponsoring research and providing senior managers as Visiting and Mentor Faculty at the University.
The NIIT University will use latest technology in all its functions and activities such as content development, teaching-learning pedagogies, evaluation and testing, learning management and university management.
On academic seamlessness, the idea is to maximize students’ choices and ensuring that they receive all round holistic education with no artificial constraints.
Research is a training of the mind in looking at and solving any problem. This is a very important feature of NIIT University training.
Q: While on Research, nowadays it is observed that students are not very keen on research. Most engineers land up in B-schools. Will NIIT University students be an exception to this trend?
A: Yes. This is an important point. Research is an integral part of study and NIIT University believes that too. Here every student, irrespective of disciplines, is provided with hands on experience on applying research methodology in solving their various problems.We are working very closely with industry to create an ecosystem where our students work for Indian and MNC research and development organizations.
There is a lot of need for top quality students who remain as researchers, and not cross over to management side. There are enough companies in India who can offer jobs to them which are par with MBAs. We will like our University to play a leading role in this transformation of mindset.
Q: Is NIIT University modeled on any foreign University like Oxford or Cambridge?
A: No, not at all! We would like to create our own model of education which is at par with the world’s best. We would like NIIT University to be an institution that world emulates, rather than copying the Oxfords. That’s why our web address is www.niituniversity.in, and not the popular “.com”. I think the “.in” at the end says it all!
Q: What about the plan of launching a B School by the University?
A: Opening a B School is very much in the plan. We have the plot ready. We are getting various offers of collaboration from different institutes. A lot of discussions and decisions have to be made.
We are certain that NIIT University’s B-school will be functional before our first batch of B-techs pass out.
