– Prof. (Dr.) Raman Kumar Jha, Vice Chancellor, ICFAI University, Jharkhand

Every life is unique, and individuation is the key to present-day education, which must enable four-dimensional growth for each learner. 

1. Complex-Problem solving acumen with in-depth domain knowledge. 
2. Self-management skills with complete commitment to existence and its realisation. 
3. Learning to work with people with multi-cultural know-how. 
4. Highly demanding and fast-changing technical expertise & learnability. 

Every journey one takes in life should be joyous and impactful in totality, along with all four of the above competencies. Higher value systems engrained with a positive frame of mind and belongingness make the workspace smooth, effortless and joyous. ICFAI brand represents a wholesome system of freedom of exchange of views, expertise, and best practices, adapting to new requirements, catering to all sections of society with a big aim to disseminate, create and enhance learning and harness existing knowledge with praxis. Education space demands a sphericity of thought and action in different areas with time, and the human competencies required also keep changing with the emerging future. It provides opportunities for freedom to impact self, family, society, region, nation and the globe at large. This summarises our USP with an all-round focus and deep inner-conscious awareness. 

The curriculum design, pedagogy, contemporary needs of skill enhancements, communication, entrepreneurial and research acumen are monitored through an expert team of faculty, BoS and Academic Council with encouragement to continuous involvement in academic activities like hackathons, competitions, seminars, webinars, workshops, publication of books and articles, conferences and all due incentives for their creativity and innovation. We have a sound feedback system to adhere to all quality standards. The whole environment is based on the Gurukul pattern, which naturally makes administrative work a cakewalk once it is organised and implemented with a systemic free mind, heart and will together with students and faculty. The accelerated learning and assured individuated development with confidence make the University a place to serve mankind and all stakeholders. The balance is automated in the design and love of what one does in any profession.

I am happy to share that at ICFAI, we have attempted to create an “Outreach & Knowledge sharing Centre” in partnership with the industry. The Centre will engage industry experts in updating and generating equipped manpower suited to their industries and will also offer joint professional certification programmes. 

This is further aided by theoretical and hands-on sessions on: 

• Gaan – Cultural activities
• Gyaan – Knowledge seeking and sharing
• Vigyaan – Scientific thinking with reasoning and 
• Dhyan – Meditation and yogic exercises

This role of teacher-cum-learners is replete with opportunities to impact all dimensions of social development. If only one is at a higher level of leading consciously, one can see through an individual’s limitations and suitability for the University. Every student and faculty has the potential to create and innovate if they are accepted as they are and groomed in a very subtle manner without any force or domination. Everyone wants to seek the highest, and their accomplishments must be brought home through university engagements. Since our education system lacks the aspects of this interdependence on existence and is more tilted towards the creation of name, fame, wealth, physical accumulations, etc., we lay low importance on openness at the level of mind, heart and will for all fellow beings. If only we begin our planning activities considering our emerging future, the challenge becomes fun and offers a sense of satisfaction in life.

Developments through our innovation and incubation lab, Skill Enhancement Lab and World Innovation Network make an excellent impact. Use of ICFAI University Jharkhand, Swadhyaya, as a portal of all lessons uploaded for reference digital library access is made for all students and faculty. Faculty form the fulcrum of the total kinematics, so their selection has several required ingredients to be tested before hiring. The originality of their research, curiosity to learn and contribute and being with people matter supreme in our faculty selection process. The efforts are directed to fill all possible gaps, from the enlightened stage of self to the present realities with real-time gaps, keeping abreast with best practices and financial health. We are working on creating social leaders with resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility hand-in-hand with industries, collaborating with universities and using modern technological advancements. 

Also read: ICFAI Group of Institutions: Setting benchmarks in India’s higher education landscape