Dr. Anupama Jain is the head of the Humanities & Applied Sciences department. With a Doctorate in English, Anupama Jain has wide experience in teaching and training students in soft skills and communication. She is a convent-educated student who has graduated in Commerce, done her post-graduation in English literature and M.Phil in the same domain. Her doctoral research focused on Indian Sensibility in the fiction of R.K. Narayan. She has the credit of publishing various research papers in national and international journals. Besides, she has also presented papers at international as well as national conferences. Dr. Jain has attended numerous workshops and seminars on literature, linguistics, education policies, interpersonal communication, communication skills, and personality development. She is the recipient of the prestigious Prof. C.L.Bahl Memorial Award in 2015 during her tenure at Delhi College of Technology and Management (Haryana) which is given in recognition of overall excellence and for exhibiting the highest levels of dedication and achievement. She has been disseminating knowledge through classroom teaching programs, lab sessions, and personality development programs since 2006. Currently, she heads the Department of Humanities & Applied Sciences at Echelon Institute of Technology.

Echelon Institute of Technology

How do you involve students in shaping the curriculum and extracurricular activities in both Humanities and Applied Science?

We follow the curriculum laid by the affiliating university, that is the JC Bose University of Science & Technology. As the Head of the Department of Humanities and Applied Sciences, I feel that involving students in shaping the curriculum and extracurricular activities is essential for creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment. A few strategies that we adopt to effectively engage students in the process are student surveys, feedback, and assessment, regularly conducting surveys to gather feedback from students about their interests, preferences, and learning needs helps us add to the prescribed curriculum and activities accordingly. 

How do you envision integrating the fields of humanities and applied science to create a cohesive and innovative academic program?

I envision this integration in order to enhance the learning experience for students and prepare them to tackle complex real-world challenges. Here’s how we try to achieve it: by exploring the ethical implications of scientific advancements and analyzing the impact of technology on society, encouraging students to design technology solutions that address social issues, initiate research work that integrates Humanities and Sciences to gain insights that might be overlooked in traditional disciplinary research, help students become responsible citizens who consider the consequences of their work, promote experiential learning opportunities that bridge the gap between theory and practice, guest lectures, workshops, feedbacks, etc. help us gain exposure to different perspectives that can broaden students’ understanding and inspire innovative thinking.

How do you plan to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and research opportunities among faculty and students in the humanities and applied science departments?

Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and research opportunities among faculty and students in the humanities and applied science departments requires a strategic approach that fosters a culture of openness, curiosity, and innovation. Having an innovation cell on the campus, encouraging joint faculty appointments, sponsoring workshops and seminars, funding research grants, and conducting faculty development programs, have helped us to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and research opportunities. For the students, we have student development programs, incentivizing publications, mentoring programs, research grants, students’ clubs, wherein students from all the branches and semesters work together, and conferences, mentorship programs, etc. to promote research as well as interdisciplinary collaboration. By implementing these strategies, I aim to create an academic environment that embraces interdisciplinary collaboration and research, leading to innovative solutions and a holistic approach to addressing complex challenges.

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Can you share an example of a successful initiative you implemented to enhance the quality of education and student engagement in humanities and applied science disciplines?

Certainly! One successful initiative I implemented to enhance the quality of education and student engagement, was the creation of a project-based learning program. The main goal of this initiative was to foster collaboration between students while addressing real-world challenges that required a combination of knowledge and skills from various subjects/ fields. The first step was to identify themes that resonated with applied science students. Themes like sustainable development, urbanization, healthcare access, technology, and society were chosen as they had relevance across all disciplines. Students were encouraged to form teams with members from different branches. To facilitate this process, we organized team-building sessions where students could find potential team members. Faculty members with expertise in the field of work chosen by the students were appointed as project guides and mentors. These mentors played a crucial role in guiding the teams throughout their projects, providing subject matter expertise, and facilitating discussions. Each team was required to submit a project proposal outlining their research question, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. The proposals were reviewed by a committee comprising faculty members from various departments to ensure the projects met the criteria. Once the project topics and proposals were approved, the teams began their research and collaboration. Regular meetings were organized to facilitate knowledge exchange and ensure that the projects remained on track. At the mid-term stage, each team presented their progress to a panel of faculty members and peers. The feedback sessions provided valuable insights and suggestions for further refinement. At the end of the semester, the teams presented their findings, solutions, or prototypes in a public exhibition attended by students, faculty, and members of the community. This event celebrated their interdisciplinary efforts and showcased the practical applications of their work. The event has now become a recurring one at Echelon Institute of Technology. It has been christened as ‘Techelon’ and is applicable to all the EITians. Overall, the PBL program successfully promoted collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation among students and faculty in all disciplines, enriching the learning experience and preparing students for the challenges of the real world.

How do you ensure that the curriculum in both Humanities and Applied Science remains relevant and up-to-date with the latest advancements and industry demands?

Ensuring that the curriculum in Humanities and Applied Sciences remains relevant and up-to-date with the latest advancements and industry demands requires proactive and continuous efforts like keeping in sync with the Board of Studies of the university, designing programs for the students of the department, trying to bridge the gap in the university syllabus and industry requirements, etc. The Centre of Excellence has been set up to impart employability skills to the students, right from the first semester. The Training and Placement Cell of the institute chalks out specific requirements and this requirement is discussed by the experts and the advisory board. The schedule is framed in accordance with the syllabus and skills are imparted to the students. The schedule is revised after every semester, enabling us to keep ourselves abreast of the latest technology and any development and advancement in the industry.

Can you discuss your experience in managing faculty members with diverse expertise in humanities and applied science, and how you foster a collaborative work environment?

As the Head of the Department managing faculty members with diverse expertise in both humanities and applied science, creating a collaborative work environment is crucial to leverage the full potential of their varied backgrounds and foster a cohesive academic community. Open Communication, regular departmental meetings, one-on-one discussions, and email updates ensure that everyone stays informed about departmental activities, initiatives, and opportunities for collaboration. Supporting faculty development opportunities that promote interdisciplinary understanding and collaboration include workshops on interdisciplinary teaching methodologies, joint research initiatives, and cross-disciplinary mentorship programs. Developing a shared vision and common goals for the department, emphasize the importance of collaboration between humanities and applied science faculty. This unified vision helps create a sense of purpose and direction for the entire team, Seminars and workshops too foster cross-fertilization of ideas. Besides, I also try to involve faculty members in the decision-making process and departmental policies. This inclusive approach empowers faculty to take ownership of their roles and promotes a sense of responsibility in shaping the department’s direction. Team-building activities like celebrating festivals and individual achievements, going on trips, and attending workshops together help us all bond well with one another.

How do you assess and support the academic and research needs of faculty members in the humanities and applied science departments?

Assessing and supporting the academic and research needs of faculty members is essential for fostering a thriving academic environment. The institute has a well-defined research policy in place. For the department, one on one discussion is a great way to understand the specific requirements, challenges, and goals. These discussions help in tailoring the support mechanisms. The entire plan of support develops through four phases. First, it is important to work with faculty members to create individual development plans that align with their academic and research aspirations. These plans can include short-term and long-term goals, training opportunities, and potential research collaborations. Second, providing opportunities for faculty members to attend conferences, workshops, and seminars relevant to their disciplines. Research seed funding and support for these activities demonstrate the institution’s commitment to its growth and expertise. Third, ensure that the university library and other information resources are well-equipped to meet the research needs of faculty members. Access to a wide range of academic journals, databases, and literature is vital for their research, and fourth, acknowledge faculty members’ contributions to research and academic excellence through awards and recognition programs. Highlighting their achievements motivates others and fosters a culture of excellence.

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How do you encourage the integration of technology and digital tools to enhance teaching and learning in humanities and applied science programs?

Through a systematic approach that emphasizes the benefits of technology in the academic environment. We organize workshops that introduce faculty members to various tools and teaching methods that align with their specific disciplines. Faculty members are given access to technology support teams and resources to assist them in incorporating digital tools into their teaching. Smart classrooms have been set up. By next year, it is proposed that every classroom at EIT will be a smart classroom, equipped with tools like video conferencing, virtual whiteboards, and shared document platforms. Regularly collected feedback from students and faculty about the effectiveness of technology integration is used to make continuous improvements and enhancements. By fostering a culture that embraces technology and providing the necessary support and resources, we can create engaging and innovative learning in a technology-driven world.