Dr. Renu Susan Samuel is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Economics at St. Peter's College, Kolenchery. She has been part of this institution for the past 9 years and 6 months and has a total teaching experience of 17 years. She acquired her PhD on the topic related to Bank Mergers and Acquisitions, from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam in July 2019. She has published articles in National and International Journals and Conferences and contributed chapters in books as well. Her areas of specialization include International Economics, Econometrics, Business Economics, and Financial Economics.

St Peter's College

What are the best practices offered by the department to the students which help them gain necessary skills?

The Department of Economics offers opportunities to their students by engaging them in various activities apart from those mentioned in the curriculum. Financial literacy training, capacity building, skill development training, and certificate courses are some of them, conducted periodically every year. The department has an MOU with another institution through which we conduct sessions and workshops for the development of the students. They are given career advancement training and are offered placement through campus selection. The students make use of various clubs and cells that function in the institution that helps them to enhance their potential. Social extension programs are conducted by the department, under which a school is adopted and the students of the department get the opportunity to engage themselves with these school students, conduct competitions, and offer sessions that inculcate values in them. An agricultural fair is also conducted by the students thrice annually which helps them develop entrepreneurial skills. Onam, Christmas and other important days are celebrated together. Various charity programs are also conducted.

What are your views upon the placements and higher education about the students from your department or how does your department prepare students for Higher education?

Only hard-working students can survive in today's highly competitive environment. Most of the students in this college are from educationally and financially backward families. Hence, it is an effort to foster among such students the value of learning and to render the idea that it is essential for their survival. In spite of all these challenges, the students have achieved high positions in the UG and PG University examinations and have been excellently well-placed through campus selections. Exceptional achievements have been attained by the sports students as well and are well placed in excellent positions. We also have various alumni in administrative positions at the State/Centre. The students receive frequent orientation on career advancement and get opportunities to face campus interviews as well.

When you came to college, what was your vision and how are you trying to achieve the same? 

The virtue of a good teacher is to make the best use of the opportunities and situations available to him/her. As a teacher, my intention was also the same. I have tried to utilize the opportunities I have received in this college to prove myself as a good teacher, facilitator, and guide. Apart from being just a teacher, I have received various opportunities to prove myself as a multi-talented person. Through activities in addition to teaching, I have been able to interact with the students and faculty members from other points as a coordinator of various activities assigned to me. Hence, this institution has offered me various opportunities.

How does the curriculum of your department/college ensure the best practice of the industry? 

The syllabus offered by the University in Economics is an exhaustive one with a wide grasp of the entire economy. The various branches of economics bring about an idea in the minds of students about the various aspects of the country he/she lives in. Application of theory is also an integral part of our syllabus thereby enabling the students to understand the actual process of policy-making by the government. Students get an overall idea about the economy in terms of financial management, business, internal and international trade, gender equity, various economic issues, and so on. Hence the subject offers students to get placed in various higher posts in society.

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What are the interventions and approaches you bring in apart from the curriculum to train/teach the students? 

The students are offered tutorial sessions, remedial teaching, and peer teaching apart from their curriculum in order to enhance their learning skills. The SSP and WWS programs initiated by the state government are imparted to the students to help both the weak and gifted students. Various incentives are offered to them in the form of endowment awards, etc to encourage them in their studies. Overall development of the students is the focus of our institution.

How do you strategize the curriculum and how often it get updated to make it befitting for the students? 

The curriculum that we follow in the college and the department is according to that prescribed by the University under which we are recognized. This particular syllabus is updated periodically from time to time to cater to the needs of the prevailing situation and competition across the world. Hence, it satisfies the needs of the students and prepares them for global competition. The syllabus addresses various aspects and issues related to gender, development, environment, research, trade among many others.

How does the department/ college/University enhance the skills of the faculty and prepares them according to the industry standards? 

The faculties of this institution are well planned and efficient to meet the needs of the present generation. Whether it be the face-to-face teaching-learning process or learning with technology, our teachers are always ready to face any challenge. Even when the pandemic changed the face of education at the global level, the teachers of St. Peter’s College were quick enough to adopt the digital mode of teaching with the help of the Learning Management System of MOODLE, Google Classroom, Teaching along with various other techniques in imparting knowledge. Hence, our faculty are adept technology-wise.

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What valuable advice would you like to the students for them to have a prosperous career ahead?

We human beings are social beings and learn from interaction with each other. What is more challenging and good for one’s learning is to be with a heterogeneous group rather than being with identical ones. This is what is offered by an educational institution and what the students should make use of maximum. Students should interact with people, and diverse friends, and understand the different scenarios from different points of view. This will help them adjust to various situations that they will face in life, develop values like sympathy, empathy and thus be mentally strong. Another value a student should possess is discipline if he/she needs to succeed in career and personal life. I always advise female students to try to pursue a career and to be independent. Economic freedom is very important to every individual. Further, we should never stop learning. While it is important to be career-oriented, it is also important to find time to discover oneself. Most of all, one should have faith in him/herself.