OP Jindal University

Dr Ashok is currently serving as Director, Career Development Center and HoD, Computer Science and Engineering at OP Jindal University. He has got 24 years of amalgamated experience of industry and academia during which he has worked with top MNCs and Universities. His educational qualifications include B.E, M.Tech., Ph.D (Comp) and he is an alumnus NIT Jamshedpur and NIT Raipur. 

Dr. Ashok is a senior IEEE member and has delivered many keynote sessions and lectures at FICCI, CII and national/international conferences and workshops. He has published more than 40 papers in different journals/conferences on various subjects. He has worked intensively to develop virtual labs and paperless examinations. He has served as the chairman Board of Studies of IT and Academic Council member of Chhattisgarh state technical university, ICFAI University and Symbiosis University, Indore.

Education is a barometer of the growth and development of any country

I believe education is a very noble service to the individuals, to the society, and the nation and that exactly is what makes us feel proud to work in this domain. 

My journey, in education, so far has been phenomenal, and I enjoy delivering education and being educated at the same time. Students are a great source of energy and inspiration for all of us. They bring in new information, new ideas, new perspectives, and new points of view. If a professor thinks he knows it all, teaching proves him wrong. Theoretically, you are a professor but practically, you are a student throughout your career, and that’s what makes the education sector the best place to work for me.

Education is a barometer of the growth and development of any country. It’s even more important at this point as the country is undergoing a transformation phase. Quality higher education really could play a very crucial and pivotal role in converting the demographic dividend of the nation into the economic dividend. Opportunity to nurture, mentor, and empower the youth to shape the future of the nation is the main driving force for me to be in the education domain.

Changing the mindset of the people in this industry is indeed a bit challenging but an enriching experience

Challenges are everywhere and I accept them with full vigor and positivity. Apart from faculty and staff, I need to manage, mentor and nurture the students who are the future leaders of the nation. It’s challenging but at the same time has been a very fulfilling and rewarding experience. Changing the mindset of the people in academia is comparatively difficult. 

OPJU is a new University with an exciting curriculum, innovative pedagogy, and strong industry connect inclination. Implementing all this in intent and action, changing the mindset of the faculty and students, and applying the pedagogical changes effectively and efficiently is a bit taxing but full of enrichment. I feel very proud and happy to be a change agent.

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I believe in empowerment of each individual to bring in transformation in them

Leadership and respect are earned and cannot just be imposed, especially in education. I believe in the leadership of action and crystal clear vision. As a leader, I like to set the goals right, mark deadlines and devise the right kind of strategies; and mentor and support the team in all possible ways to accomplish the targets. I want to lead the people by example with team spirit – Together Everyone Achieves More. I believe in transparency and empowerment of each individual to bring in a transformation in the University and Education Scenario across the country.

The curriculum of OPJU has been designed to bridge the gap between academic offerings and industry requirements 

The curriculum of OPJU has been designed to bridge the gap between academic offerings and industry requirements. It emphasizes on skill development, experiential learning, learning by doing, case studies, problem-project based learning, and promotes innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. If you look at the curriculum, you can see an obvious shift from classroom theory to laboratory practical, case studies, Internships, Industry visits, etc. 

I believe, by taking this step, OPJU has moved to bring-in the much-desired transformation in higher education in India. 

We believe in a very open, transparent, and student-friendly environment at OPJU campus. We are a very young university with positive, energetic, and enthusiastic faculty and students. Together we all ensure the positive vibes round the clock across the campus. We have various societies, clubs, student chapters, etc. to facilitate positive engagements and all-round personality development of the students.

Students are our biggest stakeholders and ambassadors and I make sure to be available for them 

Students are our biggest stakeholders and ambassadors. I am always available to them – anytime. They can come to seek my help and guidance over the issues they face. I have given them the liberty to communicate with me over the call or Whatsapp me whenever necessary. We have a very free and open culture here at OPJU and availability and connecting with the students is not at all an issue.

In the coming years we will develop our university to make advancements in the various domains of the technology

In the coming few years, we will develop OP Jindal University, Raigarh as a model university of steel technologies in the country. We are developing a CoE for Industry 4.0, which includes Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, Machine Learning, Robotics, 3-D printing, IoT. We are in the process of creating a unique teaching/learning system and pedagogy, which is industry-based, driven by innovation, enhances employability, and create next-generation technology/management leaders. We aim at contributing the nation-building by producing highly skilled technocrats, managers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and future leaders.

Tier 3 and Tier 4 institution will face humongous challenges in the admissions 

In my view COVID-19 pandemic forced Education sector to get into a localization mode. Approx 8-10 Lakhs of students who used to go abroad for studies are likely to stay back in the country. In the current scenario, if a parent gets a good opportunity in the nearby region, then he would prefer admitting the child there. However, the tier 3 and tier 4 institutions in bigger cities across the nation will face a lot of challenges in terms of admissions. The reputed institution located in smaller cities will get benefited a lot in terms of admissions. OPJU is one of the best university of the central India, located in a smaller town and belongs to a JSPL group. I believe we will be getting more quality admissions this year.

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Develop capabilities to implement, channelize, and execute your dreams

I would urge them to think big, dream high and be the author of their own destiny. Be imaginative, innovative and develop capabilities to implement and execute your dreams. 

A highly uncertain and unprecedented job scenario is emerging out of COVID-19 pandemic, and I urge students not to worry or panic, instead see this as an opportunity to improve yourself and make progress in your career goals. Update your resume, build new skills, cultivate your social network and create powerful professional presence, Practice virtual interviewing, explore free lancing & entrepreneurship and wait for the right moment.