In our crusade to improve faculty outcomes, we rarely run into any dialogue or plan a serious endeavour to develop some very important officers of the University like, VCs, Pro VCs, Registrars, CFOs, IT Heads, COEs, Heads of Innovation, Directors of Career Division, Dean (A), Dean (R&D), Sports Officer, Librarian, Dean Student- Affairs and Dean Alumni. Why presume that they know all. They also think that they know all. Where is an Officers Development Programs (ODP) in our universities’ plans? One hears an odd seminar for their development. Is that enough? In academic fraternity, we have built so much of aura of our appointments in and around us that we feel ourselves beyond further learning and skilling. Most of us are good at imposing our views, don’t believe in the philosophy of ‘best idea wins’ and that leads to not so profound decision-making. While we are aware that a study done a couple of years ago by the leading academics of India, had found more than 70% of VCs unfit to hold their position of VCs, unmindful of that, we continue to feel that those 70% were not us. They are ‘others’. Only a few days ago, I sat in a class of leading engineering college in Bangalore on request for a couple of days to learn some nuances of generative AI, linked to genomics since I was to visit biotechnology department of some other university to offer my views. I didn’t want to make a fool of my self. At an age of over 60, I was sitting in a regular class of LLM (Corporate law) with 23 to 25 years age students and the head of my program-Prof Lakshmi is in this WhatsApp group itself. Why hesitate from developing and new learning? The other day, I had urged during my talk to the Vice Chancellors and Pro Chancellors in Bhopal, not to hesitate to learn even from their students (so savvy) – some basic AI, ML, digital nuances of the LMS, teaching tools, and digitised examination system practiced in their universities. Some of those VCs are in this group too. In fact, it speaks of humility of a person which is so commendable. After all, who knows all ? None. Not me, not you. At least, know the basics what your environment is doing day-in and day-out. Is it asking for too much ?
In one of my visits to a top league university in Hyderabad, I was specifically asked to visit each senior functionary, audit the level of their operations, and offer my guidance. It was a big brand university but the officers knew barely 25% of what was desired of them. The story is no different than many other universities with a very few sparkling super good examples.
So, while you develop faculty, let’s not forget to develop staff and more importantly our senior functionaries of the university ; not important whether they develop by themselves or in an organised workshop. They are extremely important to run the university. They are the pillars and they need to be strong. Why do you think that leading MNCs of the world send their top CEOs, CIOs, CMOs aged over 60 years to the famous Kellogg, Harvard Budiness School, Stanford Graduate School of business and Wharton School for a short executive course? So, why should heads of the HEIs think otherwise ?
-Prof JR Sharma- Views expressed are personal
