Dr. Santosh Kumar Kudtarkar is the dean faculty of Liberal education at Flame University. He is focusing on improving every aspect of liberal education. He has been guiding the students with liberal norms and cultures for a long time. Flame University has acquired a different position in the field of Liberal education under Doctor Santosh Kudtarkar. Intending to create a difference in the World, Flame University has ensured the liberal principles under him.
Being the Dean of FLAME School of Liberal Education, what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?
“Leadership is a step to motivate and inspire many others to handle life”
Leaders should encourage and empower people around them to lead a purposeful life and become a better version of them. My leadership style is personal and engaging. I like to urge students to have multi-dimensional views so that they can have a deeper understanding and discover better solutions to problems. I also highly emphasize the importance of lifelong learning, critical thinking, tolerance, and becoming good citizens. Having a Global Outlook with sensitivity to their environment plays a crucial role in their ethics and growth.
With the growing need of the students to be industry-ready can you please highlight the facilities provided in your institute?
“Provides everything in every arena likely in sports, academics, extra circular”
- An applied focus in a liberal education setting, a strong commitment to the value of diversity, and an entrepreneurial mindset are just some of the hallmarks of FLAME University’s academic programs. The academic structure enables students to lead a significant role in their interest areas.
- High-quality resources, technology coupled with opportunities and help students to be industry-ready and get all-around exposure and development
- We have interaction-friendly lecture theatres, conference rooms, seminar rooms, labs, theatres, and studios for performing arts, fine arts rooms, and a well-stocked library. We also have a gymnasium, a martial arts dojo, an Olympic size swimming pool, courts for tennis, squash, basketball and badminton, cricket and football grounds, access to a golf course, and also spaces for chess, carom and table tennis. For sports and extra activities at the campus.
- The University prepares students for leading purposeful lives. It does this in a participatory, personalized environment which provides a transformational experience for the students.
What do you think should be FLAME School of Liberal Education’s top priority over the next 3 years?
“Holding various streams of liberal education that are gaining relevance and importance”
Over the next three years, FLAME School of Liberal Education should look to incorporate a strong applied component in its coursework. One of the ways this can be done is by incorporating Technology and Quantitative data skills into our curriculum. These have been the drivers of progress since humans invented the wheel, and in our age, no field does not intersect with technology and data. As pioneers in liberal education, it is only natural that we start including these in our education.
What are some plans that you are currently designing for FLAME School of Liberal Education and students?
“Bringing in the new content to the academic as well as liberal structure”
We have recently rolled out a new curriculum incorporating content that includes mandatory life-skill courses such as Financial Literacy, Professional Skills, Mental Models, and Technology and Society to name a few. Given the direction provided by the National Education Policy, we are planning to offer research-based 4-year undergraduate programs when we get further clarity. Besides, we are strongly exploring the possibility of offering Master’s and doctoral programs in select areas very soon.
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How does the curriculum of FLAME School of Liberal Education ensure the best practice of the industry that is relevant in the real world?
“Overall development with practical experience and understanding”
To be relevant in the real world, education inherently needs to be interdisciplinary as are all our specializations. The courses are solution-oriented; we place prime focus on understanding real, on-ground problems and train students to think towards realistic solutions. The skills we impart under these courses are hands-on, and serve two purposes – these skills are sought by the industry, hence students become market-ready when they graduate, and also they (the skills) equip students to tackle the problem and deliver solutions.
Can you please share any insights into how your institute is more welcoming to students of different races and economic backgrounds?
“The college promotes anti-racism and supports students of all backgrounds”
With an understanding of how universities play a major role in transforming society, we welcome every student to our institute. On-campus, we encourage diverse students to live together, study together, conduct joint recreational activities and projects – this way; we try to ensure that each student, regardless of their gender, financial background, race, culture, etc. feels welcome. We have signed several MoUs with institutions across the world and regularly engage in student exchange programs with them. For the students who cannot afford the fee, we place scholarships for them.
What do you see as FLAME School of Liberal Education’s biggest strengths?
“Practical Knowledge covers it all”
I would say that our biggest strength is being interdisciplinary at our core paired with a practical, solution-based approach. The interdisciplinary choices provided to the students are unmatched in the country.
When you first came to FLAME School of Liberal Education, what was your vision? Has it evolved? How far are you from implementing that vision?
“Evolvement carries on”
I came to FLAME at a time when it was the only institution of its kind in the country. As a pioneer of liberal education in India, our defining vision was to provide cutting-edge education that is transformational with strong faculty-student engagement. While we have grown significantly over the years, we have continued to maintain the ethos of a small faculty-student ratio (1:10) which is one of the best in the world. While we add new programs and take in more students, we will not dilute this aspect as a small faculty-student ratio is critical to prepare students to lead happy and successful lives.
Will you please throw some light on extracurricular activities conducted at FLAME School of Liberal Education?
“Inter-college events and a wide range of other activities and clubs”
The FLAME student body is a very closely-knit community. From various student clubs that keep personal interests engaged, to multiple intra and inter-college competitions, students have wide-ranging extracurricular options.
We have an annual cultural fest called the FLAME Fest which includes competitions like gaming, poetry writing, creative writing, public speaking, advertising contests, dumb charades, treasure hunt, art marathons, singing, photography, dance, drama, and fashion show.
We also have various co-curricular activities such as FLAME Finance and Investment Club, FLAME Entrepreneurship Lab, New Options for the World (seminar series on contemporary global issues), and First Cut (film fest). Further, our students also participate in other events such as Google Online Marketing Challenge, Think QGLP Competition, and CFA Research Challenge.
Lastly, we host FLAME Kurukshetra which is an inter-college sport, management, and cultural competition.
What would you like students to know about FLAME School of Liberal Education that they might not know already?
“A Liberal Outlook”
FLAME School of Liberal Education prizes not just liberal education, but also a liberal outlook. The topics which our departments cover – namely, environment, economics, social sciences and humanities, and languages – have multiple cultural and ideological hues to them. Given the diversity of our student population, we always have students who have the exact opposite views and outlooks towards the same thing. At FLAME School of Liberal Education, students become more tolerant of each other, and they learn to balance between opinions and human connections and relationships.
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Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?
“Passion and Curiosity”
Today’s generation will lead very long lives and they must be patient and always be prepared to face the challenges of the future. The current youth is very driven and assertive; they are hungry to make their mark on the world. While this is a good thing, it is also important to realize that not much can be achieved without hard work. So, they should have a curious disposition and a healthy attitude towards learning is critical to lead successful and happy lives.
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