Dr Sonali Sarkar is the Principal of Swami Vivekananda Institute of Science and Technology, Gobindapur, West Bengal. Her education qualifications include B.Sc, B.Tech, M.Tech and Ph.D. Having a rich experience of 20 years in engineering teaching, she also has 8 years of research experience and has published various research papers in national journals. 

SVIST

What are your roles and responsibilities towards the students? 

“Teaching and motivating students to focus on academic and personal growth”

  • The institute provides several mechanisms for student support and progression. 
  • We have a unique mentorship system where one faculty facilitates a group of 20 to 25 students in all aspects. Mentors look after their studies along with the overall well being of the students such as attendance, result, need for remedial classes, discipline, training, counselling etc. 
  • We support all scholarship programs for the students, such as Kanyashree, MCM Scholarship (for both Minority and General), Swami Vivekananda Scholarship, NSP Scholarship (for SC, ST, OBC), etc. 
  • Principal, Heads of departments, mentors regularly interact with students to help identify student issues and problems and give solutions. 
  • The institute conducts soft-skill development, aptitude, GD and personality enhancement sessions for the students by inviting external experts. 

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

“We do this by providing Structure and teaching with Enthusiasm”

  • Ensure that we have a positive outlook. 
  • Humour should be incorporated into lessons. 
  • Learning is fun. 
  • Take advantage of the interests of your students. 
  • Capacity to function as an individual as well as a team member by demonstrating positive attitudes and skills. 
  • Seminars and workshops are conducted for technical skill development and communication skill. 

How do you try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects?

“Practical sessions, group discussions and live demos”

Practical work is an important aspect of science education. It includes a range of activities and is also used for a range of purposes, such as: illustrating a concept or idea to help students generate arguments from evidence in the process of knowledge construction. We involve several strategies for practical education such as practical sessions, group discussions and live demos for the benefit of learning.

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How do you help your student to perform well in a competitive world?

“We motivate healthy competitions and resilience”

  • Encourage your learners to compete with themselves
  • Competition performance should be transparent
  • Create a culture of cheerleading and good sportsmanship
  • Collaboration is a value and a skill set that should be taught
  • Using students' strengths to help them learn

Do you have any extracurricular activities to enhance the skills of the students?

“Academic Teams and Clubs, Creative contests and Technological skill competitions”

 Extracurricular activities provide a channel for reinforcing the lessons learned in the classroom. It offers students the opportunity to apply academic skills in a real-world context, and are thus considered part of a well-rounded education. We offer activities such as:

  •  Leadership activities. 
  •  Internships. 
  •  Athletic participation. 
  •  Academic Teams and clubs. 
  •  Creative Pursuits. 
  •  Technological Skills. 
  •  Political Activism. 

What has been your vision for this institute?

“Providing students a unique learning experience in Science, Technology in the light of Swamiji’s vision”

Our aim is to emerge as a Centre of Academic Excellence in creating and disseminating knowledge. Also, providing students with an environment for all-around development, nurturing them for a successful career as well as contributing to the betterment of society. We have a vision of building morally responsible professionals.

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

“High-quality teaching, laboratory-based practical skills and knowledge development”

  • Equal emphasis on co-curricular and value-added programs on Emerging Technologies 
  • Beyond the syllabus, curriculum to make the students ready for the present global scenario 
  • Constant encouragement of faculty for pursuing Ph.D., research, advancement of qualification etc. 
  • Constant mentoring, monitoring, and a strong feedback system of students 7. Training and Grooming of students to make them industry ready and enhancing their Employability skills by imparting technical training, Soft skill, GD and Aptitude classes etc. 
  • Focus on building entrepreneurship development Cell 
  • NPTEL Local Chapter to offer students MOOCs program 
  • Strong Alumni base that helps for the job generation and referral drive of junior students.