Ques 1. "What motivated you to pursue a career in higher education administration, and what attracted you specifically to your role as a Dean?"

After serving for more than 5 years in Industry and 20 years in Pharmaceutical Academic research, I felt the need to bridge the gaps in Pharma/Healthcare Industry and Educational Institute especially in skilling, analytical & research capabilities. Lack of infrastructure, Industry/ international relevant course curriculum, well trained faculty at most of educational institutes influenced me to pursue the leadership role in re-design the curriculum, program outcomes and teaching learning pedagogy for Pharma aspirants. 

The opportunity obtained as Dean, SOMAS at GD Goenka University led to make strategic decisions, and improve educational outcomes, conduct the International/National Conference, Workshops, Expert talks on recent developments in pharmaceutical & healthcare Industry, Govt./Industry funded skill development certificate programs, faculty development programs on Teaching learning pedagogy, Outcome based education and research funding.

Ques 2. "What are the most significant challenges currently facing higher education, and how is your institution actively addressing these challenges?"

Higher Education in India through Govt. Universities/ Research Institutes is catering the need of top aspirants of country but majority of students are pursuing their higher education through private/self-funded Institutions/ Universities. The major challenges at these Institutes are affordability, accessibility for underrepresented population, curriculum changes to inculcate fast evolving technologies and digitalisation, shortage of trained faculty, additional infrastructure & advance laboratories and research requirements, competition from Online education/ digital platforms, adaption to new norms in education and accreditation process, Increased awareness and concern on mental health and student support services at campus, Special training cell for student aspiration based learning and preparing for their future careers and decline in student enrolment. 

GD Goenka University is striving its best to address these challenges through investing more in infrastructure, advance equipments and laboratories, regular Industry-academia meet along with alumni meet to develop industry relevant course curriculum & robust teaching-learning pedagogy, offering hybrid/online learning resources, continuous faculty training on advanced technologies, conducting advance workshops/ case based studies on healthcare in association with Pharmaceutical Industry/research Institutes & Hospitals,  proving financial aid/ internships/ scholarship opportunities for students, conducted various School level competitions/ Workshops for attracting diverse student communities from all states of India and Foreign Countries, Investing in digitalisation for paperless management in administration & learning process, set-up an International Counselling cell for providing homely environment at campus for International students, Mentoring Cell. Mental Infirmary, Cultural Club Houses under Dean Student Welfare for balanced student lifestyle, Corporate resource cell for providing soft skills, Industrial Intenships and placement opportunities.

Ques 3. "As Dean, what are your key responsibilities, and how do you manage the balance between these responsibilities and other facets of your role?"

The key responsibilities include –

1. setting the short as well as long-term academic goals and planning strategically for ensuring state of art infrastructure & research facilities, curriculum development, program evaluation process, accreditation process 
2. managing the budget and resource planning for better academic delivery 
3. developing strategies to attract the competent & passionate faculty and students 
4. motivating faculty and students through continuous training, appraisals, incentives for better performance in academia, co-curricular & extra-curricular activities & research 
5. Fund generation through Govt./ Industry funded projects, Sponsorships from Industry partners 
6. regularly meeting key stakeholders to identify gaps in academic/administrative policies and initiating new strategies for institutional growth, regulatory compliance and ranking.

To balance my role as Dean as well as Professor in Pharmaceutics, I have developed a strong team with hierarchy as Department Heads, Academic Coordinators, Class Coordinators, Mentors and Activity coordinators along with administrative staff with clear key responsibilities and tasks. Regular weekly /fortnightly staff meetings help in better coordination and solving the day to day practical issues. This ensure better execution of priority tasks, supportive & conducive environment by workload sharing, managing the expectations of management, students and staff members and developing new strategic plans aligned with Institutional/University goals. For ensuring my personal academic and research growth, weekly teaching/research load is assigned for PG/PhD research guidance as well as subject teaching. Despite regular meetings & strategic management, one hour daily is kept for open communication with faculty and students for better connectivity. 

Ques 4. "What specific initiatives or programs has your institution introduced to support student mental health and manage stress levels, particularly in the context of rising concerns among students in India?"

1. Student Counsellors- GD Goenka University has strong team of student counsellors who apprise the newly admitted students on University processes, counsel them to select the courses/ career path as per their aspiration, helps them to adapt the University environment.
2. Mentoring Cell- Regular mentor-mentee interaction on weekly basis help to sort out the students’ grievances and concerns along with 24x7 online Single window Grievance redressal platform under Dean Student Welfare. 
3. Mindfulness and Meditation Sessions: University has planned academic calendar with activities on mindfulness, meditation, and yoga to help students manage stress and enhance their mental well-being.
4. Stress Management Workshops: University conducts regular seminars and workshops focused on time management, and stress management techniques.
5. Mental Health Clinic: University has set up Mental Health clinic with Professional & trained Psychologists to provide regular workshops on stress bursting, One to one sessions for solving the individual problems in association with Park Hospital & Mariengo Asia Hospital.
6. Buddy Programs: University has started this program by attaching new students with trained senior students for peer counselling and adapting them to University lifestyle, reducing their isolation and stress.

Ques 5. "What guidance would you offer to individuals aspiring to enter the field of higher education administration, and what changes do you foresee in the field's trajectory in the coming years?"

 For pursuing the career in higher education administration, one should strategically plan and gain expertise in following verticals:

1. Regulatory compliance in Education: Higher education in India are governed by various agencies like UGC, NAAC, AICTE, Pharmacy Council of India, Bar Council of India, ICAR, Medical and allied Health Councils and accreditation Institutions like NIRF, QS, THE etc. One must go through their regulations, guidelines, and recent notifications to conduct the higher education programs and practice them.
2. Relevant Academic Education and research experience: Higher education is pursued for successful professional life. Aspirants must have higher education qualifications like M. Ed., MPhil, PhD in their field along with rich research experience showcased by number of publications/patents, executed few govt. funded projects and guided PhD research projects.
3. Specialized Certifications: Administrators must have specialised skill certifications such as AMS/LMS Software handling, Data management & Analysis Software, Soft communication Skills, Academic Counselling, Leadership and management skills in higher education, Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Course, Ethical Practices in Research etc.
4. Participation in Inter-University, Industry-academic interaction Activities and Networking: Administrators are required to facilitate various departmental committees with external members, design institutional goals, course curriculum, teaching–learning pedagogies, conduct various Institutional level or Inter-Institutional level activities for faculty and students. Highly motivated person having academic, industry and professional network is most suitable candidate for administrator task.
5. Continual Learning: Professionals must have self-learning and lifelong capability to update with current trends in higher education through journals, conferences, and workshops are best preferred as administrators. 
6. Decentralised as well as Student-centered approach 

Changes in the Trajectory of Higher Education Administration

Trends in higher education is changing from regional to internationalisation; diversity in ethnicity and age, Equity and inclusive environment for all; Digitalisation through online/blended mode education, digital platform based management system and digital marketing & admission process; Course curriculum aligned with International & Industrial demand for holistic development of student; Collaborations with renowned national/International Universities, Research Institutions & Industries for joint courses/dual degree/ research projects/publications/ teaching-learning process; State of Art Infrastructure & campus for academic delivery, overall development of students in view of global perspective; Financial Sustainability and Affordability by developing public-private partnerships, alternative fund raising process; Regular training to adapt new regulations and new norms; Outcome based system with accountability.