Priyanka Goyal, director, APG Shimla University, speaks with SHIBAJI ROYCHOUDHURY about the merits of this new institute, the innovative course work and scholarships on offer
What is the USP of APG Shimla UniversityIJ
We focus not just on education but on the development and enhancement of a student’s overall personality. With the change in the technology, teaching at university keeps up the pace by digitalising the classroom ie making use of smart boards and videos as a medium to teach in class.
Moreover, we also train the students in the respective fileds by taking them out for the industrial exposure, calling out experienced and intellectual people from academics, industries to guide them. Apart from this, we also provide use of music as a therapy to deal with depression and stress.
What are the various bodies the university is accredited withIJ
Our university is, at present, recognised by Council of Architecture, University Grants Commission, International Accreditation Organisation and Bar Council of India.
What are the popular programmes on offerIJ
We are running various programmes in our university. It includes courses in the school of engineering ir BTech in the field of electrical, electronics, civil, mechanical and computer science. In the School of Management we have two courses — BBA and MBA. We have also introduced new professional programmes such as bachelors in hotel management, travel and tourism, architecture, fashion design and mass communication.
Are there any scholarships being offeredIJ
We have launched a scholarship programme called Shiksha Sankalp Scholarship which covers students who values and appreciates knowledge. It covers students taking admission in different courses in our university. Under this scholarship scheme, we give 10 per cent scholarship to all the students of Himachal Pradesh, 25 per cent to those students who has a sibling in our university, for SC, ST and OBC it is 20 per cent and for the only girl child it is 30 per cent and for the specially abled students it is 25 per cent.
What problems emerging entrepreneurs faceIJ
They have to face the issue of lack of access to capital; death of their ideas, they are not able to get access to any trained mentors. Apart from these problems, the number of incubation center where an individual can get trained for execution of his ideas is low in India. They also face issues with implementation of policy.
What gaps exist in today’s education systemIJ
As more and more industries are looking for people who have more practical knowledge, thus, there is now a need for more industry academia relation. This will also solve the issue of lack of industry ready candidates and poor employability ratio of graduates.
How do students choose the right instituteIJ
Any good university must have three basic things— good and proper infrastructure, proper faculty and a good relevant syllabus. Students should also give a lot of emphasis on placement opportunities that a university can provide, and foreign collaborations.
Any joint ventures with foreign universities/institutions...
We have tie ups with seven universities in Africa, China, Russia and Europe. This includes the programmes, student exchange, faculty exchange, faculty development and also research exchange. We are the only university in India to have a tie up with Pearson programme called EdExcel. This programme give students to go to any of the 300 university of their choice in any continent.