 |
| The very least that competent educators can do is set up rooms for "Discourse" and "Tolerance." |
I was born and brought up in Kolkata, West Bengal. I was raised with the "Bong" intelligence and devotion to Art and Culture, since childhood. After enrolling at Aligarh Muslim University- “The Oxford of the East,” I had the good fortune to get academic uplift and refinement. I then spent a decade studying under this renowned institution, earning my PhD, and master's degree in public administration, and graduating in political science from the Women’s College.
Being the first female Academician in the family, strong and independent, was possible due to unconditional family support, early mentorship, the lively atmosphere of the hostel, never-ending adjustments, solo travel, longing for home, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, I managed to now work as an Assistant Professor in IILM University, Greater Noida.
2. What is your philosophy when it comes to teaching, especially in the field of Public Administration?
Ans: People tend to think that "Civil Services" is what public administration entails. However, let me inform you that the subject matter much outweighs this limited sense of discipline. Without line and staff organization, no nation can function. People with knowledge in public policy design, implementation, assessment, and feedback-gathering can make them effective.
Whatever you call it—elections, parliament, judiciary, democratic ideals, constitution, public governance, etc.—the word "public" always comes before ‘administration’, and that is still how I educate my students to understand how the concept of ‘Governance’ originates with, belongs to, and is used by the nation's citizens for their development.
3. Given your interest in freedom of speech, how do you ensure that your students feel comfortable expressing diverse opinions in the classroom?
The very least that competent educators can do is set up rooms for "Discourse" and "Tolerance." Considering that today's Z generation is becoming increasingly intolerant, depressed, and frustrated at a young age. Every week, we have planned parts in which we discuss, debate, and openly criticize issues pertaining to the legislature, democracy, the court system, new laws and legislation, religion, recent horrific crimes, and other relevant topics.
By serving as the session's moderator and providing a variety of viewpoints on the matter, the instructor fosters tolerance. It resembles student parliamentarian sessions in miniature. Then, they would be aware of the limitations and importance of the right to free speech and expression.
4. How do you connect theoretical concepts to real-world applications in your teaching to ensure practical relevance for students?
In the liberal arts institution where I work, theory plays a crucial role in bolstering any idea or circumstance. There are so many first-time phenomena that we are witnessing; COVID-19 is one such example. Just take a look at the societal issues that even one region faces; pupils must cope with them every day. This provides me with the foundation to connect it to the material that has to be taught.
Instead of waiting for the ideal solution to apply for, let's consider Herbert Simon's "satisficing" model as a solution to every issue. Looking at Mary Parker Follet's idea of appreciating conflict rather than running from it and emphasising integration over domination, we may learn how to put theory into reality. The secret to this is developing a curriculum and establishing a pedagogy.
5. Can you elaborate on some of your notable research publications, particularly those related to the challenges and potentialities of the education system?
In one of my papers on SDG-Goal 4, I discuss the issues facing the educational systems of emerging nations like India. The late arrival of NEP has left the implementation of an active cross-curricular or inter-disciplinary system unresolved until people come out of post-COVID losses. In this work, I contend that the national strategy for providing lifelong learning is primarily dependent on the integration of "action-oriented" knowledge, which is based on the three-tier knowledge system proposed by renowned philosopher Aristotle.
The "episteme" consists of theoretical knowledge, which is followed by "techne," or a rationale for technology, and "phronesis," or the practicality or goal-oriented phase of achieving the objective. The post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals document has emphasized the need of easily available lifelong learning in conjunction with the elimination of poverty, people's potential wages, health awareness, and the development of technical-humanitarian sensibilities.
The link of the paper given: https://amu-in.academia.edu/DrSadafKhalid
6. Do you think teaching as a profession is viewed at par with corporate jobs?
Yes, I do not intend to denigrate or minimize any other employment, but college and university students continue to represent the future of our country. As educators, we have a great deal of duty to mold minds that, in the age of Google and chatGPT, are impenetrable and believe they know everything. We will thus receive amazing results from their trials if we give them the freedom to at least think, communicate, and explore without confining them to small spaces.
7. Can you share a challenging situation you faced either in your teaching or research role and how you addressed it? What did you learn from that experience?
Indians seem to always be afraid of practically anything in their environment. We all dread transparency because corruption exists at every level. People deny us access to real data when we conduct research, which has the negative effect of zeroing out the condition of research and the research mentality in young brains.
I want the next generation to understand that not everything we do is done for financial gain. At a very young age, self-actualization should be the goal so that, in your 30s and 40s, you feel proud of your accomplishments. Being a researcher and a teacher is a highly moral vocation. I never enter a classroom or write a paper before doing a thorough revision which gives me confidence.
8. Looking ahead, what are your professional or personal aspirations and goals in this industry, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Long-term goals should always be the foundation of a career objective. It must include personal development as a component, and not merely in terms of monetary gain. I'm constantly on the lookout for places that will help me develop my abilities and align them with my mental development—anything that gives you more self-assurance to defy stereotypes and taboos in society.
My goals are always to disseminate positivity and persuade others that "this current 21st-century world needs simplicity, kindness, and communication." I never set out to do anything particularly large, but taking baby steps.
9. What advice would you give to students aspiring to pursue a career in academia, based on your own experiences and journey?
Please stick to academics if you truly want to teach and have a positive impact on young brains; otherwise, pursue whatever gives you serenity and energy. I would never advise someone to get a degree or find jobs and then pursue passion; instead, I would always suggest doing the opposite. I promise not to come across as conventional—only when it comes to looking out for and making sacrifices for your family. Avoid becoming a part of toxic work environments and cultures; instead, avoid them, Spend time with yourself, be empty-handed and take criticism for your lack of wealth and simplicity, and surround yourself with environments that encourage the development of your inner potential.
Bio
Dr. Sadaf Khalid is a B.A in Political Science, M.A., and PhD in Public Administration from Aligarh Muslim University. She is a Silver Medalist in her bachelor's and a University Gold Medalist for her master’s program along with being UGC-NET qualified. Her core interest areas are the Indian Constitution, Policy and Governance, International Relations, and Political Philosophy. She has more than 2 years of University teaching and research experience. She has nine research papers. Three of them are under Scopus, one Web of Science, and five others in reputed national and international journals. Also, two chapters were published in edited books. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor in IILM, Greater Noida.
She is an ardent writer and columnist in the online newspaper platform ‘The Eastern Herald’ and regularly write articles on national and international importance and have more than 10 published articles.
Interviewed and Edited by - Arunangshu Chatterjee
){kind=link}
0 Comments