Professor Dr. Alka Agarwal, Postgraduate in Business Administration, M.Com, M.Phil & Ph.D from Rajasthan University. Research papers published in various publications of Rajasthan University. Presently, Director of Mewar Group of Institutions, Sector-4C, Vasundhra, Ghaziabad. With her valuable experiences, she has imparted a new dimension to the growth of Mewar Institutions and Mewar University. Chairperson of Arihant Charitable Educational Trust, dedicated to the promotion of Jain dharma, Education and health. Multiple para-educational abilities. Natural aptitude for social service. Deems it her dirty to help the poor, the destitute and the aged. Awarded over two dozen testimonials and prizes for meritorious education, administration and social service.

1. What is your birthplace and what has been your family background?

Ans. I was born in Jaipur. My father was Chief Engineer, Rajasthan Electricity Board. I am the only woman from our family to have come into the field of education. After marriage, I shifted over to Ghaziabad. After stints of teaching at IPM, IMS and IBMC, I joined the Mewar Group of Institutions as a teacher in 2003. By dint of hard work, I was promoted as Head of Business Administration. Later, the Management elevated me to the position of Dy. Director and finally Director.

1. How has been your work-experience at Mewar Institute?

Ans. Very good. At every level, the work ambience is good. The Management, the academic staff and the students are all very cooperative, talented and positive minded. Whatever I have learned in my life is at this place only. And whatever innovations I have been able to do have also been at this Institute only. I have received abundant appreciation for my work. Now, Mewar is my home and it is my bounden duty to nurture and nourish it.

1. What innovations in education have you attempted?

Ans. I have always been innovative in teaching methodology. An all-round development, apart from instruction, of students is an integral part of my duty. This is the basic work-culture and policy of the Institute. Ensuring regular class-work, participation of students in every Institute activity, in addition to professional education, is my top priority. Obtaining a good percentage of marks in examinations is not enough. Students must grow to be good citizens of the society and the country and relate to the social and national mainstream. This is our prime consideration.

1. As Director of the Institute, how do you operate and exercise your administration capabilities? How do you guide and motivate your staff?

Ans. I always exercise my authority in the interest of the Institute. In compliance with the Management’s directives, I hold daily meetings of the academic and non-academic staff to apprise them with the Management’s expectations. I consider it my first priority with the support and cooperation of the staff to elevate the Institute to the top position. To achieve this objective, I regard it as my duty to enlist the cooperation of the staff. It ensures a congenial atmosphere. Regular training and counselling of the staff marks an integral feature of my work. It ensures a conducive work culture, free from any taint of grouprism. A family like bond constitutes the USP of our Institute.

1. What should be the qualities of an ideal teacher?

Ans. The first essential requirement of good teaching is a thorough knowledge of the subject. A good teacher must actively participate in every programme of the Institute and regard the Institute as his own, evincing a team-spirit. He should act as a role model to his students, performing as a friend, philosopher and guide. With a positive attitude, he should be able to build a psychic relationship with them.

1. Tell us your experiences of social responsibility as a teacher.

Ans. I have a deep sense of social commitment. In this direction, I have set up Arihant Charitable Educational Trust which is the only resourceful trust engaged in extending economic support to the poor, destitute and deprived sections of the society and bringing them into the mainstream of the nation. There may be other social organizations doing similar work but what distinguishes our Trust is its project with government agencies to eradicate social evils and provide educational and health facilities to the poor and the deprive. Besides, in order to give a right direction to religious activities, the Trust has launched a programme to organize seminars on various subjects and publish related literature. The Trust held a big seminar on ‘Environment Protection’ on 24 August 2014. It marked the launch of the Trust at which a number of Jain Dharma celebrities were honoured. They instilled into us a new wave of spirited enthusiasm. The Trust arranged to feed fodder and gur (xqM+) to 500 cows at Shri Krishna Gaushala at Karheda last year. Stationery articles were distributed among orphans at Shri Ram Colony, Sahibabad, and sweets and fruits were gifted to the inmates of the Lepers’ Ashram on the bank of Hindon river.

1. How can change be brought about in the society?

Ans. The most effective and potent instrument of this change is education. Education alone can make the society thoughtful and anxiety free, and can bring people together. It can inspire them with the spirit of nationalism and social welfare. It can encourage them to rise above the level of self-aggrandisement. Education alone can build bonds of understanding and togetherness among people.

1. What do students mean to you? What steps are you taking to integrate and link them with the nation and the society?

Ans. We are teachers and students are our first priority. The teacher is the mentor and builder of the society and the nation. He has the necessary potential and capacity. His prime duty is to mould the character and mind of his students. I strive to do it. I try to enliven his sensibilities by linking him to every cultural event of the institute. By organizing blood-donation camps and such co-curricular programmes as Abhivyakti and Jayantis of Great Indians, we try to inculcate in them the virtues of sympathy, kindness, service, cooperation, sacrifice and dedication.

1. Would you like to give a message to the society?

Ans. Yes, certainly. Whatever your work, do it with full dedication and sincerity. Be faithful and devoted to your Institution. Your job is not merely a paid assignment, it is a moral responsibility. Give your hundred percent to it. Students must work hard and be decent and respectful to their elders.