Faculties of PU awarded for setting benchmarks and furthering quality innovation in education amidst pandemic times

Even amidst the numerous challenges which this pandemic has presented across India’s healthcare sector and the field of education. City based Parul University have been setting benchmarks in education even during these tough times and the faculties have been marching against the odds in this pandemic period, by continuously maintaining a high standard of quality academics, either through physical or virtual platforms.

The University’s Director of International Relations, Dr. Preeti Nair was recently granted an award for the Best Director in International Relations, in recognition of her work and contribution towards Parul University’s internationalisation initiatives. Another of such marks of excellence was bestowed upon Dr. Shantanu Chakravarty, the University’s Principal of Business Administration for the most enterprising academician of the year in the education category of entrepreneurship.

As a way of providing global learning opportunities to its students, Parul University has been creating numerous avenues of international cooperation with partner Universities across the world. At the frontline of this agenda is the University’s International Relations Cell which has been working towards creating platforms for student and faculty mobility, pathway programs, research-based programs and study abroad programs. 

Under the headship of the recently awarded Dr. Preeti Nair, Parul University’s International Relations Cell has managed to make milestone achievements in global education. During her tenure as the International relations director, the University has made notable records in its global reach which include 75 collaborations, 800 students taking part in over 200 exchange programs, along with global research collaborations funded by leading organizations such as the European Union. 

Amidst the wavering challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the global aviation and international travel industry has been crippled, with numerous destinations closed for international travel. However, even in the wake of such challenges, the International relations cell has managed to innovate and develop numerous ways of enhancing international corporations through virtual exchange programs, blended classrooms and global student virtual internships. The University has further managed to send several students for abroad studies through its study abroad centre. For the purpose of receiving this award, the awarding organisation looked into a number of indicators which include, strategic innovation, integrity and ethics, track record, service quality amongst others.

In addition, Dr. Shantanu Chakrabarty is another of Parul University’s faculties who has been driving the business sector amidst the challenges presented by this pandemic. Working in the capacity of Principal under the University’s Faculty of Management, Dr. Shantanu has been a major proponent and an advocate for entrepreneurship and innovation. Through his mentorship, the students of Business Administration have been able to make exceptional strides in their start-ups. This award for the most enterprising academician was granted in recognition of his pivotal role in the establishment of Parul University’s uniquely structured Entrepreneurship Development Centre and Tinkering Hub. He has also been guiding numerous students in the ideation, pitching, investments and incubation processes of their start-ups. 

He has also been instrumental in the setting and formulation of various flagship start-up events such as Vadodara Hackathon, Vadodara Start-up Festival, Women Entrepreneurship Meet amongst others, which even in this pandemic have witnessed increasing success. It is in recognition of such notable marks in entrepreneurship and innovation that the Global Business Forum facilitated him with such an award. With such challenges across the higher educational sector, the faculties of Parul University have been making continuous efforts to ensure maximum quality in education for the students either through physical or virtual.