Interview by Bhawna Rawat

Prof. Dr. Y G Tharakan, GD Goenka University

Dr. Y G Tharakan is currently working as the Dean of Le Cordon Bleu School of Hospitality, GD Goenka University. Considering teaching as a great career, Dr. Tharakan believes in working as a team where everyone should have the freedom to explore thier talents. 

Dr. Y G Tharakan’s experience in the education industry

Teaching is a great career. It gives an opportunity to work with young people to inspire them to achieve and make a difference in their life and career. The teaching gives an opportunity to be creative and share the passion of the profession. Everyone remembers a great teacher, perhaps the one that inspired them to achieve or showed them the joy of a particular subject, or made the lessons fun.

Significant challenges faced by Dr. Tharakan as the Dean of GD Goenka University

Effective teaching and learning environment with technology. Instructional innovations on technology-based projects in the classroom as a potential barrier in empowering teachers in technology-based assessments.

Goals for GD Goenka University

Creating prepared minds in Graduates. Prepare individuals for productive contribution through character and career development that fits well with the trend in higher education.

Suggestions for the current youth and the aspiring students

Develop skill in entrepreneurial thinking on product development and product commercialization. Challenge yourself,

Treat life like one long university education, where you learn every day

The growth of students through placement opportunities available at GD Goenka University

Advantages in the labour market at least in the early part of their careers, Employers tend to have positive views about graduates who have undertaken periods of work experience during their undergraduate programme. A 22 weeks compulsory Internship placement was intended to provide students with a taste of work experience while linking academic study to real-world employment.

We encourage students to acquire as many skills essentials for success at work, including communication and interpersonal skills in addition to acquiring attributes such as team working and awareness of workplace culture.

Read more about GDGU Placements

Dr. Tharakan on establishing a relationship with the students

We all want to feel cared for and valued by significant people in our world. When students feel that you value and care for them as individuals they will comply with your wishes. It is critical to remember that when we treat students with respect, they tend to appreciate and are likely to behave appropriately. Reflecting your belief in them will inspire their success.

Read more about GDGU Faculty

Dr. Tharakan’s path towards attaining the positions of the elite

By understanding my own personality, attitude towards life and work. Also, by assessing through the inventory of skills, achievements, knowledge, learning styles, values and interest.

Dr. Tharakan on building a positive school culture or climate

Teachers need to have time to talk to their students in and out of the classroom. Be a role model and maintain a high rate of positive interactions with students and show genuine interest in their lives, the activities, their goals, and their struggles.

Dr. Tharakan’s idea of an ideal school environment

An ideal work environment is one that is centred on working as a team and that allows everyone’s talent to flourish.

In a team-driven work environment, the people will be enterprising, productive and perform to the best of their abilities. By creating a work environment that is enterprising and encouraging creativity, we can create an ideal environment.

Dr. Tharakan’s take on Education being digitalized

Student’s attention span has changed because of the use of digital technology. It is expected to reduce the burden of heavy books. It also helps in giving and monitoring the class works and homework assessment easier. By 2020, more than 50% of the workforce will be millennial, who use the technology to work smarter, faster and better.