Dr. Sonia P Rajput is working as a Professor in the Department of Social Work, CSIBER Kolhapur. She has experience of more than 25 years in teaching and 3 years in industries and NGOs. Her research interest areas are domestic violence related to women, children, and the aged. She is also interested in CSR activities and has received grants from CSIBER. Dr. Sonia is twice a recipient of the Best Teacher Award twice. She has published more than 15 research papers in different national and international journals and presented more than 20 papers in different international and national conferences. She is a co-author of "Child Rights, issues and concerns".

CSIBER Kolhapur

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

“Persistent learning and the urge to update my skills for the current classes”

Teaching and Learning are my passions since childhood. Since my teens I’ve been associated with the educational sector. As an educator, I don’t just teach students but I also learn. And aligned to this I keep upskilling myself and try and keep abreast of the current changes in the educational domains.

Being the Chairman/ President/ VC/Professor of XYZ College/University, what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style In a College?

“A sense of concern, care, and respect for each other is a must and this I do with empathy in leading"

As a professor, I believe leadership is having democratic Management skills to lead, direct and collaborate with our team members, irrespective of their level/position at work. 

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How does the curriculum of XYZ College/University ensure the best practice of industry?

The curriculum of CSIBER enables our association with various Industries and our students are benefited through Guest lectures, webinars, workshops, concurrent fieldwork, placement, Bloc Placement, and internship training. The curriculum also is updated to encapsulate such practices.

Our alumni in the Industries are our strengths. They directly address the students and train them in the best practices followed in respective industries and also update their knowledge in recent Trends and emerging areas of HR Practices. 

Any insights into how your university could be more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

Our college vision Statement “To be the First Choice of Students” is aptly designed.

The college is based in Kolhapur which is primarily a green belt. The location is strategically positioned to draw students from various sections of rural society and we are open to all races and creeds of society. We also conduct various camps in the surrounding rural areas thereby reaching out to the lower economic background class. Further, our alumni also help spread out our legacy beyond the state boundaries.

What do you think your roles and responsibilities to the University and the students are?

As a Teacher, I feel I should be an ultimate role model in my student’s life. I am dedicated and committed to my college as well as my students. I not only teach but also listen to their problems and try to mentor them to the best of their ability. I do not only focus on the intellectuals but I guide many students who don’t have any clear vision or aim in life and who are careless about life and least bothered about academics. I am equally compassionate to them and help them change for the better.

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

I think we should update our curriculum, increase and introduce a number of new programs with multi specialization and also improve our placement strategy 

When you first came to XYZ UNIVERSITY, what was your vision for the university? Has it evolved over time, and how far along in implementing that vision are you? 

"When I joined, my vision was to see my institute be one among the top-ranked"

In my 25 years of CSIBER, I have seen it expand in infrastructure, new programs we have grown in NAAC accreditation, RUSA, and being one of the few colleges of Maharashtra to be recognized under CPE college for potential Excellence. With the passage of time, my vision has also changed to encompass seeing our College become a Deemed University (DU) and also to add additional curriculum. On the DU part, we have progressed significantly and I can see this happening soon.

What do you see as XYZ College’s greatest strengths?

The strength of CSIBER is our Stakeholders. College is the Centre for Postgraduate Programs in Social work, Computer Application, Commerce and Management, Environment, and Safety, and Economics, with beautiful infrastructure, well equipped Smart Classrooms, Good teaching and learning environment supported by a prolific library. ICT-based knowledge-sharing Platform College has excellent extra-curricular activities, sports culture, well-organized extension, community service programs, and outreach activities by students and faculty. Excellent Student-Teacher rapport with emphasis on mentoring and counseling. Rooted cultural values, and moral responsibility are reflected in our successful alumni. Very good interface with industries, research and educational institutes, Social Organizations, and Functional IQAC, PTA and Alumni association

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

"I normally suggest to my students to do what they love or like to do with sincerity and commitment and not do it to please someone"

I suggest that they have a clear goal/ Vision in life and strive hard to achieve it. Parallely, I advise them to be humane first and believe in themselves. And lastly, there is no shortcut to success.

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How do you tend to establish a healthy relation and environment in your institute/ university?

Develop positive connections between students, and teachers and peer groups which will foster positive social interaction and establish a nurturing environment. As our students deserve the best, an improved indoor environment can help everyone. Every aspect of the physical assets like from the design of a building to the cleanliness, lighting, and ventilation impacts the mental state of both students and staff in educational facilities with Proper facility maintenance.