Envisioning the development of students as a responsible citizen and a professional

Shri Sudhir Nanavati is an eminent lawyer of the Supreme Court of India and a senior advocate of the High Court of Gujarat. He is also the President of the GLS University, Ahmedabad. Being a passionate educationist, he constantly attempts to have an all-inclusive curriculum for the students where practical implementation is given the utmost importance. 

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

“Having the capability of contributing to society’s welfare”

Education is an important part of an individual’s life. Education keeps a person grounded and humble. I believe education is connected to giving back to society. This is the reason which keeps me connected to this sector. I get a sense of satisfaction while being associated with the education field.

What is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

“Democratic leadership is something I always follow”

A leader has to be flexible and adaptable to changes in his leadership style as per situation demand. While managing a big institution, you need to make some tough calls while at the same time you need to trust your people that they will do their jobs and give them the freedom of thought and actions.

What do you think should be the University’s top priority over the next 10 years?

“Ingraining and reinforcing lessons using the practical aspects”

GLS University has already established itself and gained popularity among the students in Gujarat. It has also started gaining recognition Nationally. The University’s few short term goals over the next few years are expanding the International collaboration and international reach for our students, introducing new courses and widening the scope of their interests, and giving it international recognition. Practical lessons and skills always mimic the real world. Hence, introducing students to new skill sets and enhancing them by allotting practical assignments so that they can use them in the real professional world after they graduate from here has always been a priority for the University and is also the need of current times.

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What do you see as GLS University’s greatest strengths?

“The contagious enthusiasm to learn and do better”

My people and their desire to create and be the best are my greatest strength. Every staff and faculty associated with GLS University treats it as its own. And whenever you treat something as your own, you nurture it with utmost care and affection. GLS University’s greatest strengths are its management, its faculties, and the desire to create some new, to give something new to its students, to create a joy of learning environment, and deliver consistently better results has always worked for the University and is its biggest strength. Moreover, our University has International programmes for our students wherein they have the option to study with Universities in US, UK, Canada, Russia, Australia and Dubai. International Collaborations with foreign universities give an opportunity for a global educational experience and ensure that students are not deprived of foreign educational experience and expert knowledge as well.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see, both for higher education in general and for GLS University specifically?

“Adapting to the new teaching methods amidst the ongoing pandemic”

The education system has faced a challenge in current times like never before. The Covid19 pandemic has made the higher education system adapt to online methods of teaching. This pandemic has made the educational institutes switch and extensively depend on technology over a very short period. I still believe higher education should develop better strategies and adapt to technologies to conduct exams online on a greater scale. Students as we know are facing a great problem in giving exams in this pandemic. Due to a lack of proper planning and technology, students are forced to go to exam centres and give exams. We have student engaging techniques such that students can study, do their assignments, even participate in events just from their home.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

“Be kind and be helpful”

The ongoing pandemic has made students stay at home and study. However, I would tell them to keep their positivity high and they will soon be joining their friends and campus and have fun and study. Even while at home doing something productive, this is an opportunity to learn something new, attend online courses, learn a new skill, a language, but keep yourself busy. These trying times require compassion towards humans and animals alike. 

How do you tend to establish a healthy relation and environment at your university?

“Making the members feel appreciated and included at the smallest of the achievements”

We acknowledge and applaud every smallest of successes of our staff or faculty and give them the freedom of thought to put their opinions on the table and initiate a healthy discussion to arrive at any decision. We assist and encourage our staff to attend various training, in-house training sessions, workshops, conferences to facilitate continuous learning for them as well and keep them updated with the requisites of changing the student environment with each new batch which is a continuous process. Apart from individual development, to strengthen the bond amongst the staff we organize puja, fests, seminars, festive celebrations, and staff dinners. 

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