Prof. Dheeraj Sanghi, Vice Chancellor of JK Lakshmipat University, brings extensive experience from various prestigious academic institutions. With over 27 years in academia, including notable tenures at IIT Kanpur, LNMIIT, and Punjab Engineering College, Prof. Sanghi combines insights from both private and government educational sectors.
His hands-on exploration of over 100 colleges across India in 2006 provided him with a deep understanding of the diverse needs of students and the educational system. This rich background equips him to effectively lead JK Lakshmipat University towards achieving excellence in education and research. Prof. Dheeraj Sanghi, spoke to indiatoday.in sharing his vision of excellence in education and research.
Your extensive experience spans across various prestigious institutions and diverse roles within academia. How do you believe this multifaceted background uniquely positions you to lead JK Lakshmipat University towards its vision of excellence in education and research?
With a diverse experience spanning over 27 years at IIT Kanpur, and stints at LNMIIT and Punjab Engineering College, I bring exposure from both private and government institutions. In 2006, I took a semester off from IIT Kanpur to visit more than 100 colleges across the country, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the state of education. This immersive journey allowed me to grasp the needs of society and students, and what they seek in their educational pursuits. Complementing this, my extensive research background at the IIT Kanpur has equipped me with a strong academic foundation. This combination of understanding the educational landscape through nationwide exposure, coupled with my robust research experience, helps me to plan a diverse portfolio to lead JK Lakshmipat University towards excellence in education and research.
Your contributions to academic innovation, such as implementing new program structures and enhancing teaching-learning processes, are evident throughout your career. Could you share a specific example of a challenging initiative you spearheaded and how it transformed the educational landscape within the respective institution?
One transformative initiative I have championed throughout my career is facilitating student mobility and cross-institutional learning experiences. At my previous stint, 25 years ago, I proposed and implemented a program enabling students from other institutions to take courses, stay in hostels and interact with the IIT community.
Despite challenges like credit transfer policies limiting wider adoption initially, I persisted with this vision at subsequent institutions. At JK Lakshmipat University, being the Vice Chancellor has allowed me to push these efforts further. We now have agreements with several IITs, IIITs, BITS Pilani and international universities for student exchanges. A fairly large fraction of our engineering students spend at least a semester, some even 2-3 semesters, at partner institutions.
Could you elaborate on JKLU’s vision of “Mentoring Dreams” and how it translates into tangible benefits for students, parents, and other stakeholders within the university ecosystem?
JKLU’s “Mentoring Dreams” vision nurtures students’ aspirations beyond just courses and jobs. At JKLU, we have created an ecosystem that empowers students to discuss dreams openly with faculty or mentors. These mentors guide students to appropriate resources and experts, internal or external, aligning with desired paths. We believe, mentoring extends beyond academics, with faculty advising on prerequisites, entrance exams, and specialized training for higher studies goals. Our faculty offer after-hours guidance reinforcing conceptual understanding.
Over the years, we have witnessed how through one-on-one mentoring the placement outcomes have increased leading students to explore their passions fearlessly, dream bigger.
The academic collaborations between JKLU and prestigious institutions like IITs, BITS, and international universities are impressive. How do these partnerships enhance the educational experience for students, particularly regarding semester exchange programs?
The semester exchange programs with renowned institutions like IITs, BITS and international universities greatly enrich the educational experience for JKLU students. They gain exposure to diverse academic perspectives, interact with a more diverse peer group, and access courses unavailable at JKLU. Competing alongside students from prestigious institutions boosts their confidence in JKLU’s quality training. Upon returning, they raise the academic standards by actively participating, questioning policies, demanding higher quality and driving positive changes. We believe these collaborations cultivate a culture of continuous improvement at JKLU.
The university boasts resource centers and laboratories such as AIMA Biz-Lab and AIC-JKLU(Atal Incubation Center), which offer experiential learning opportunities. How do these facilities contribute to the practical skill development of students across different disciplines?
AIMA Biz-Lab, a unique simulation facility for undergraduate programs, enables students to experience various business functions like finance, HR, and operations through realistic scenarios. Unlike conventional internships, students can rotate through diverse roles, gaining comprehensive practical exposure.
AIC-JKLU nurtures entrepreneurship by providing mentorship, infrastructure (3D printing, software), and expert guidance for ideating and establishing startups. These resources motivate students towards entrepreneurship while developing essential skills. Annually, around 5-7% of the graduating batch incept their ventures, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset crucial for career success.
Interdisciplinary courses are becoming increasingly important in higher education. Could you share insights into how JKLU designs and implements these interdisciplinary programs to prepare students for the evolving demands of the job market?
JKLU has championed interdisciplinary education from its inception, recognizing its aimportance for holistic development. Students across engineering, design, and management disciplines are required to take courses from the other two streams, facilitating cross-pollination of ideas and understanding diverse perspectives. Additionally, JKLU emphasizes critical thinking through dedicated coursework spanning all semesters, nurturing skills vital for long-term career success amid rapidly evolving industry demands. Self-learning through online courses and project-based learning fosters the critical “learning how to learn” ability, empowering students to adapt and upskill continually throughout their professional journeys.
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