Shivalik College of Pharmacy, Professor and Principal: Dr Ganesh Kumar Interview

With a total experience of over 17.5 years in research and academics, Dr Ganesh Kumar is currently working as Professor and Principal at Shivalik College of Pharmacy, Dehradun. Along with publishing several research papers, google citations and two books in academic pharmacy, he has conducted and organized a number of workshops, symposiums, conferences and seminars as well. Also, Dr. Ganesh is a Life Member of APTI, IPA, InPharma Association and President of Association of Pharmacy Professional's, Uttarakhand State Branch. 

What are your roles and responsibilities towards students?

“Preparing academic plans for necessary development of students”

I handle the primary role in the overall systematic workforce of the college. I make sure our students get proper training required to develop the necessary skill set in the field. I handle all curricular duties strategized for students including assignment of academic projects, grading tests, and documenting progress, etc. I primarily analyze and review student performance based on experiential education program competencies.

What do you think should be the College's top priority over the next 10 years?

“Observing challenges and creating solutions in education”

Our foremost priority is to transfer the knowledge in pharmaceutical care education to health care providers and medical professionals for large scale human welfare. Also, we want to upgrade and uplift the quality of some less competent students through advanced education practices and enhanced skill development programs. We, in the upcoming years, wish to bridge the gap between the industrial world and academia through professional communication and skill in scientific writing so that it comes up as a good option for medical writers as well. We strategize to adhere to the defined academic calendar in class room lecturing, conducting labs, and tutorial according to the approved scheme of instruction to continue a smooth workflow. 

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How do you help your students to cope up with the highly competitive world?

“Best learning practices and overall personality grooming”

We are regularly conducting soft skill classes, reasoning classes, communication classes and Personality development classes for sparkling and refining the overall personality of our students. Several subject specific doubt clearing classes are conducted from time to time that helps students gain a clear understanding of concepts and practices. We have also started preparing students for the GPAT examination from the beginning of first semester itself which will prove helpful for their further education. We try to let them apply the concepts learned in the class into their daily lives. Also we tend to improve their thought process by giving them short theory and practical assignments which involves critical thinking. 

What are the best practices offered to the students that help them gain necessary skills?

“Thorough Industrial exposure and quality infrastructure”

We constantly update our students about the current practices going on in the pharmaceutical field and adopt practical teaching methodologies which resemble more with current industrial practices and market place. We offer to our students the exposure of high quality machineries for better simulation with real time pharmaceutical processes and hands on experience. We encourage them for better research and organize industrial visits, workshops, seminars on a regular basis. We also motivate them to attend various development programs, symposium, science conference, workshop and Expo by Pharmaceutical industry experts. 

What do you see as your college’s greatest strengths?

“Well designed curriculum with best learning pedagogies”

Our curriculum is designed and prescribed by highly motivated academicians, industry experts and healthcare professionals and is applied by the concerned statutory body that is Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi. We possess highly influential and skilled faculty with educated and visionary management for providing ample motivation and comfort to students. We bestow quality education with modular laboratories, well versed with sophisticated instrumentation and a strategized mentoring system. We also offer several awards, achievement recognitions and incentives to our students.

How do you tend to establish healthy relations with the students and fellow faculty?

“Better communication and coordination among all”

For establishing healthy relations with students invest time in learning with students, communicate well, find out their interests, be forthcoming with mistakes and teach with passion and a lot of enthusiasm. At the same time, cooperate and coordinate with faculties in order to help them achieve their professional goals and success at individual levels. Also, support them so that they become capable to deal with any obstacle whether with students or fellow faculty.

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What valuable advice would you like to give to the aspiring students?

“Self analysis and self control”

Develop necessary skills and always improve your quality whatever field or career you choose. Identify the various opportunities in the field and develop one single area of expertise which you want to keep moving with. Do not hustle for each and everything immediately. Review and revise yourself for betterment in life and professional career.