Dr. Shweta Rana is the Head of the Department of Physical and Natural Sciences and Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Flame University. She has done PhD from Punjab Agricultural University. She has been associated with Flame University for the past 13 years. 

FLAME University

What is your leadership philosophy? 

"I firmly believe in providing equal opportunities and respect to everyone"

In my opinion, every person has leadership qualities in them. Coming to my responsibility being a Head, I try to generate appropriate opportunities and involve my faculty members and students in various proceedings and tasks of the department, be it organizing a conference, symposium, guest talk or workshops, etc. Because I believe in participative learning and in providing freedom to everyone to put forward their ideas as satisfied colleagues make the department more productive. I design tasks and deliverables as per my team's strengths. Along with regular department meetings I keep on interacting with them on both professional and personal levels. 

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

"Happiness of spreading knowledge by educating youths"

I believe that the fuel to one’s existence is education and lifelong learning. Because education is the pivot for the development of any country. Along with being a source of bread and butter, education is the only tool that can bring the changes we seek in society. Research, teaching and mentoring young minds keep me up to date with not only my subject area but also in other areas concerning the youth, their likes and dislikes, etc. Interacting with students gives me new perspectives. Lastly, sharing knowledge and shaping the future of society is a big motivation for me to stay connected with the education sector.

What inbound a student can gain from studying here at FLAME University?

"Our curriculum is designed as per latest industry happenings and students' needs"

At FLAME, we provide students with the best of both worlds in terms of theory and practicals. Our curricula are futuristic and are regularly reviewed as per the latest global learnings and practices. The flagship experiential learning programs (Developmental Activities Program, Discover India Program and Summer Internship Program) at FLAME provide a great platform for our students to learn more about the society we live in and remain anchored to the roots while expanding their branches in the global arenas. 

What makes your college unique in comparison to others?

"Our mission and vision make us different from other colleges"

Our institute FLAME (FOUNDATION FOR LIBERAL AND MANAGEMENT EDUCATION) is the first Liberal Education University in India. The revolution that National Education Policy in India will bring in our country’s education system, was envisioned by the Founders almost twenty years ago when they thought of FLAME. After exploring the diverse courses in the first year, many students end up majoring and minoring in programs totally different from their original plan. In the words of a student – ‘‘I found my calling after coming to FLAME”. FLAME is such an experience.

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What do you see as the greatest strengths of FLAME University?

"Our motto is to provide the best quality education to students"

The rich curricular and extracurricular learning experiences and support that we offer to students right from their first day, help them in their holistic growth. Guru-Shishya Parampara is one of our ethos. The incoming students are allotted faculty and peer mentors, who help them navigate academic and non-academic issues initially or for as long as the student feels the need. The International collaborations with some of the best Universities in the world provide an enriching global educational ecosystem.

Which factors make this program the best for students to opt for? 

"It is an amalgamation of training, field visits and laboratory experiments"

The Department of Physical and Natural Sciences at FLAME offers courses in Basic and Applied Sciences. The Environmental Studies Major at FLAME is the best for students to opt for as it focuses on the study of various environmental issues including climate change and global warming, contamination and pollution of the environment, food and energy needs, conservation science and the sociocultural, economic and political relationships between man and the environment. The program equips the students to develop a critical understanding of environmental issues through a scientific, sociocultural, economic and political lens. Also, the courses include laboratory, field and project-based experiences. Lastly, students are trained in research methodology to understand, apply and analyze their learnings and new findings. 

How does this program ensure the future preparedness of students?

"We conduct numerous activities under it as our goal is the complete development of students"

The inter and multidisciplinary approach of the curriculum exposes students to the diversity of environmental issues and prepares them to link these issues and find solutions locally and globally. The teaching pedagogy includes discussions, activities, field and lab work, Symposia, field trips, conferences, EVS Day environmental events, documentary screenings and Internships to further enhance and apply their classroom learnings. The performance of a student is evaluated on multiple bases including assignments, tests to essays, term papers, presentations, individual and group projects, podcasts, posters, Creative representation - poems, graphics, comics, etc. 

Which benefits and career opportunities are available to students after pursuing this course?

"Scopes offered by Environmental Studies Program are unlimited"

Through the Environmental Studies Program at FLAME, we focus on students' qualitative, quantitative, analytical and critical thinking abilities and skills. The program prepares students for graduate-level courses and research in fields such as Environmental Studies, Environmental Sciences and diverse disciplines intersecting with environmental fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Sociology, Law, Media, Journalism and Design, etc. and graduates can also start their environmental business and entrepreneurial ventures.

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

"Work hard and develop solutions for some real-world issues"

As rightly said by Greek Philosopher Heraclitus that change is the only constant thing in life. The pandemic has changed many things around us, some for good and some for bad. Hence I would like to suggest to my students that they be solution-oriented and problem solvers. Be aware of the environment and one’s ecological footprints. Adopt the 7 R principle in your lives- Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Repurpose, Reuse, Recycle and Rot. Lastly, work diligently and focus on practical learnings instead of Grades and accolades.