Dedication Is Crucial In Research

Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR founded in 2011 under the visionary leadership of Mr. Shiv Nadar, embodies a visionary approach to education, innovation and academic excellence in India, with a focus on multidisciplinary education, research-driven learning and inclusive practices. 

The institution is leading the charge to modernise higher education and develop the next generation of leaders in many industries.

You have a stellar academic and research record and have published extensively. What kind of commitment and perseverance did you need to surge ahead on this trajectory? 

Publications are important for any academic. It is crucial that these publications are original and contribute to knowledge. This requires constant thinking and deep engagement with the subject matter. Though academics get time to write, this has to be done within a limited time window as we are engaged in teaching, research and administrative work.   

Whereas dedication is mandatory in research, it also requires an academic to pose new questions. Peer review or evaluation is another aspect of publishing, where a ‘blind review’ is done – neither the author nor the reviewer knows to whom the work belongs. Despite receiving encouraging or discouraging feedback, persevering until the research gets published is essential. 

Writing books is another experience, it is different from journal writing, as it requires a complete story and several chapters. While it can be scary and challenging, writing books is a satisfying experience.

Where does our country stand in terms of research ethos, where rigorous kind of work is required? As you mentioned an academician has many responsibilities, how do women in academics juggle these responsibilities?

The challenges faced by men and women in maintaining a healthy work-life balance are similar. However, during the pandemic, women faced additional challenges due to expectations and responsibilities at home. That disproportionately affected women. 

In some disciplines, the lab infrastructure may not be up to the required level; similarly, libraries may not be adequately equipped.   

Despite these challenges, I see a good appetite for big institutions to focus on research, but this is a long journey and not always easy. Women do need support and resources to maintain a healthy work-life balance. 

What are our country’s strengths in terms of research? 

India has numerous strengths in science, engineering, arts, culture and social sciences, but there has been considerable progress in specific areas. There is progress in vaccines, as we saw during the pandemic; similarly, there is an emphasis on semiconductors and quantum physics. But a few areas where India has strengths are in social sciences and humanities. We have a long tradition of knowledge in these fields. We had universities focused on arts, culture and different disciplines of social sciences.  

We also had a wealth of knowledge about agriculture-related innovation. A lot has happened at the grassroots which has not been recorded rigorously in academic research. Much has happened in terms of crop diversity, water management etc, involving women. 

At the University of British Columbia, your contribution to inclusivity is well known. What are some of the key takeaways from that experience? And what would you say about the ethos of inclusivity in India?

To give a global perspective, inclusivity is a challenging ideal that requires addressing multiple dimensions, such as gender, race, age and ageism. For example, rural women in India face unique challenges compared to urban women in cities. And women in cities also face some unique challenges.  

In India, there is now more open acknowledgment of the need to equalise the playing field for different social groups. As far as women are concerned, I see a lot of open discussion about safety, and many women are also coming forward to take up these cases. I also see young men of all ages concerned about these issues and want to be seen as champions of these causes. Women alone cannot bring about inclusion; it’s a societal agenda. 

The gender issue is more than just men versus women. It should also take into ambit the LGBTQIA community. What are your views on that? 

Yes, inclusion should be about a society where more people feel included, regardless of gender. This is a global challenge as people struggle to make society inclusive. 

The goal should be to change norms so that society can be more tolerant and inclusive rather than focusing on specific groups like women or youth. 

These days, there is a lot of talk about how technology might reduce bias. Do you think that to be the case? 

Not automatically. Technology can potentially reduce biases, but it can also introduce new ones. For instance, there are biases based on skin tone. 

Only if we focus on harnessing the best technology – and where academic research can contribute significantly – can it happen. It’s not that technology can make it happen automatically. It requires a conscious effort to overcome biases. 

In your position as a leader, what would you say about women's leadership and the kind of challenges they face?

The challenges women leaders face include balancing family, self and leadership responsibilities. To some extent, it’s true for everyone. Women often face more pressure, being dismissed for their qualities, such as compassion or firmness. If you are compassionate, you are weak; if you are firm, you are intimidating. The same qualities that are seen as good in men are negatively viewed in women. 

Also, there is a price for success. Successful women may not always be liked and since relationships are important to women, fear of not being liked or taken into confidence can lead to feelings of inadequacy and concern for acceptance. 

There are fewer women in leadership positions, making it difficult for women to move forward. However, embracing leadership and moving forward is crucial to prevent perpetuation. 

I believe that becoming a leader despite barriers is a privilege and once you become a leader, it is an obligation to do what is necessary to move things forward. While it may not always be ideal, striving for improvement and progress in the field is essential.

Coming to Shiv Nadar University, as a private university what have been some of the significant contributions the university has made Also you can describe the research and development ethos and the skills ethos? What are you doing differently?  

Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR was founded in 2011 under the visionary leadership of Mr. Shiv Nadar. The university started with a four-year degree with a multidisciplinary core curriculum covering various disciplines, including engineering, business, economics and history. This breadth of disciplines significantly impacts students, as it opens up their minds and empowers them in various aspects of life.  

The university also emphasizes research, with all undergraduate degrees being research degrees. The fourth year is dedicated to independent projects, research or internships, providing hands-on practical learning and independent thinking-based projects. Graduates have theoretical and practical knowledge and the ability to apply their thinking to something original and novel. The university also offers master's and Ph.D. programmes, with facilities built to support basic research. 

The university has also launched the Centre for Integrative and Translational Research, focusing on applying research to public health and public good. We are an institution of eminence, and one of the mandates is to do research that has a social impact. We are committed to that. In all our programmes, we strive to provide knowledge and understanding of research to every student, irrespective of their discipline.

How does the university provide industry experience to students? 

The university offers various industry experience programmes, including internships, regular interaction with industry experts, industry summits and collaborations with companies like Dassault Systèmes.

We have the Atal Incubation Centre on campus, where new businesses are incubated and mentored.  

The Dassault Systèmes Center of Excellence was established in association with the French Company Dassault, which has a 3D design platform. The centre is open to all students, not just those from the Design discipline. The centre is also hosting a project with ISRO on neuroscience – what cognitive changes happen to astronauts in space.  

The university is also looking into programmes with industry presence and looking at inviting industry experts as professors of practice. The university also connects with the Chambers of Commerce through various channels. 

In terms of empowering youth, particularly those who cannot afford fees, how do you ensure that the meritorious students get the benefits of your programmes? 

The Shiv Nadar Foundation offers various scholarships and financial aid to meritorious students, including VidyaGyan, a Rural Leadership Academy for Meritorious Students. The foundation also supports boarding schools for grade VI students, ensuring they continue their education and attend top universities worldwide. 

Scholarships are available for students’ families earning under Rs 8 lakh and some students receive support from the foundation. 

What message would you like to give to female students who want to go into academics?

Being determined is very important. While there will be challenges along the way, there will also be blessings from unexpected sources.  

India has a fabric of support that protects individuals from societal pressures and can sometimes turn challenges into opportunities. The message is to make the most of this fabric, be determined and embrace challenges. Opportunities will come.