The endeavour has been to create a knowledge-based society in the country by imparting quality education and research, says M N Raju, Chairman, The MNR Group of Institutions, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN)
How would you like to build on the success of your group legacy?
With the successful running of academic and professional institutions for decades, we are now going for NAAC accreditation as per norms. We have already submitted proposals to UGC for Deemed University status to our Medical College at Sangareddy, Greater Hyderabad.
We are also spreading our educational activities to Dubai and Sharjah. We have already started MNR Talent and Skill Development Institute in Dubai.
In our schools we have been implementing about 28 types of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities which are properly recorded and evaluated from time to time.
What innovations have been brought about by your institutions in education space?
Various innovative practices brought about in our educational institutions to make learning more meaningful such as using technological devices to add a more meaningful audio-visual component to ensure effective learning in the classroom, Active Learning Projects (ALPs) devised to make the students thinking, talking and sharing information in the classroom.
Instead of Computer-supported Learning, new forums of Socio-Digital Participation are resorted to, including media literacy such as using social media and search engine.
For measuring the student learning outcomes, common formats are developed class-wise and course-wise. They are used so that the similarities and differences are transparent to students, parents and the teachers.
Opportunities are provided in every institution and students are encouraged to develop their creative abilities.
Social Service camps are organised institution-wise so as to develop in students the right attitude of working for social welfare.
What is your view about the new Education Policy being formulated?
The 1969 National Policy on Education had stipulated a review of progress in every five years. But such periodical reviews did not take place as stipulated. Afterwards the Review of National Policy on Education (NPE), National Curriculum Frame Work for School Education 2000 and National Curriculum Framework 2005 have been formulated.
Now, once again discussions are on for revising the National Policy on Education suitable to the present day scenario.
While the various aspects relating to School Education in National Policy are a little bit better, the aspects relating to collegiate and University Education are very disheartening. Some of the suggestions that may help may include considerations like:
Doing away with the affiliated college system, need for consolidation by merging and clustering of Universities and colleges to achieve effective intellectual exchange, concept of cluster of colleges envisaged by the National Knowledge Commission be given a shape, a new way of regulating Higher Education that promotes both autonomy and accountability and fosters private investment is required.
What was the vision behind opening MNR Group?
The vision was to create a knowledge-driven Indian society through quality education and research.
What opportunities are there for your institutions to operate on the global stage?
MNR Talent and Skill Development Institute (MNR TSDI) has been functioning in Dubai catering to the Talent and Skill Development of clients (Students) from several countries. It is run in collaboration with various agencies like IIM-Ahmedabad, IIM-Bangalore, ISB-Hyderabad, AAOIFL- Bahrain, CIBAFI-Bahrain, TAFE- UK guild and so on.
What are the main strengths of the collegiate system? Strengths of the collegiate system of education include transitioning from teenage to adulthood, offering an opportunity for every student who joins the college course to take charge of the direction in which the individual shapes his / her life and it makes the individual students learn the ways of effective Time Management.
