BRIEF23 brings you insights and inspiration from Prof. Ravikiran Naik, Assistant Professor – Economics at FLAME University – the private, coeducational and fully residential liberal education university located in Pune, India.

Ravikiran writes on invitation and exclusively for our special series BRIEF23, which features industry stalwarts, thought leaders, industry captains, business heads, brand custodians and other C-suite heads from diverse companies across sectors,  size and scale, sharing their learnings from 2022, and guidance and inspiration to help empower professionals for the upcoming FY 2023-24.

Prof. Ravikiran Naik is an Assistant Professor – of Economics. He received his Doctorate Degree in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and has completed his master’s in Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics-Pune. He was also a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), Bangalore.

Prof. Ravikiran has over nine years of work experience and was associated with the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), and Christ University- Lavasa.

He is an applied economist by training and has a keen interest in the research areas involving Labor Economics, Informal employment and Entrepreneurship, Intergenerational economic mobility, and economics of education.

He has published peer review articles in national & international journals. He has also co-authored a book titled ‘Women Entrepreneurs in The New Indian Middle Class: Macro & Micro Perspectives.

Prof. Ravikiran’s teaching interests include Labour economics, Microeconomics, Public Economics, Law, and Economics. His teaching approach is based on a pluralist/ heterodox approach to foster constructive debate around emerging issues in economics.

BRIEF23 by Ravikiran Naik – FLAME University

2022 defined: The landscape of higher education in India, as well as around the world, is currently experiencing a complex and often conflicting transformation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students have endured significant disruptions and learning setbacks, making it challenging for them to adapt to the transition from secondary to tertiary education.

In addition, the Indian education sector is undergoing a profound structural shift through the National Education Policy 2020. This policy aims to bring sweeping changes to higher education, with major reforms set to be implemented from the 2023-24 academic year for undergraduate courses.

As a pioneering institution in liberal education in India, FLAME University has been at the forefront of implementing a comprehensive framework that aligns with the NEP 2020 since its incept.

On track, ahead of, or trailing the pack?: It is important to note that the overall implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) at FLAME University was not particularly challenging. This is because the university’s philosophy of interdisciplinary education with both breadth and depth in diverse areas of knowledge broadly echoes the NEP’s goals and vision for higher education in India.

The university has been smoothly integrating the NEP’s framework into its academic curriculum and pedagogy, providing students with a holistic and well-rounded education that prepares them for the challenges of the future.

It is important to highlight that the Maharashtra Government has chosen the FLAME University to train the Officials and faculty members from schools and colleges across the state. Two rounds of training have already been conducted.

Lessons learnt: Education is currently undergoing significant transformations when it comes to teaching and learning. With the advancement of technology, traditional modes of education are no longer the only means of gaining knowledge.

Students now have access to a wide range of learning resources such as online platforms like YouTube, Coursera, and Udemy. This has put pressure on educators to adapt to new teaching methodologies and to shift towards a more student-centered approach to education.

It is now clear that traditional methods of teaching are becoming increasingly outdated and the extinction of average teaching is becoming more evident. Educators must adapt to the changing environment by focusing on a student-centric pedagogy that emphasizes the development of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Moreover, given the fact that the number of students facing mental health issues and anxiety is increasing, it is imperative that universities prioritize the integration of mental health support for their students not only through counseling services but also within the classroom, going beyond the existing guidelines.

Who/What inspired me: Steven Pinker, a biologist and psychologist from Harvard, is someone I deeply respect. In his best-selling book, The Language Instinct, Pinker contended that the ability to comprehend and use sophisticated language is an inherent trait.

What makes him stand out is not just his sharp reasoning skills, but also his multidisciplinary approach. His ideas about how liberal education would cultivate a broader knowledge base by learning the big ideas from major disciplines and curious mindset are important in these turbulent times.

Looking ahead: The educational ideology we uphold is based on the principles of Liberal Education. We hold the belief that knowledge cannot exist in isolation, just like how the real world functions. FLAME University aspires to become one of the most highly regarded and esteemed universities in India, held in high esteem by all. Our goal is to be the top preference for those seeking higher education in India.

And here’s how we’ll do it!: The future of liberal education in India is promising, as more and more students are beginning to recognize the value of a broad-based education. With the rapidly changing nature of work and the economy, there is a growing need for individuals who possess interdisciplinary skills and knowledge, as well as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication abilities.

Furthermore, as more employers seek individuals with diverse skill sets, there is likely to be an increased demand for graduates with a liberal education background.

The education sector and talent management are undergoing significant changes due to several emerging trends. One of the most notable trends is the increasing importance of interdisciplinary studies and integration of different fields, driven by the need for interdisciplinary solutions to global challenges.

Another trend is the growing emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning, preparing students for practical skills required in a rapidly changing job market. Additionally, the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning is driving the development of new educational tools to personalize learning, improve student outcomes, and increase institutional efficiency.

Ultimately, the driving force behind these trends is the need for individuals and organizations to remain competitive and adaptable in a fast-changing world.

Some exciting trends and developments in education that are expected in the coming year of 2023 and beyond include the continued growth of online and hybrid learning models, the use of AI and machine learning to personalize learning experiences and improve educational outcomes, the increasing importance of digital literacy and remote collaboration skills, and the focus on interdisciplinary and project-based learning.

Additionally, there is a growing recognition of the need for lifelong learning and upskilling to adapt to a rapidly changing job market. Overall, these trends have the potential to make education more accessible, personalized, and effective for learners of all ages and backgrounds.

Advice: The advice for myself and new educators is to prioritize continuous learning, stay updated on the latest trends and developments in the field, be open to new ideas and perspectives, build strong relationships with students, colleagues and the community, and remain passionate and committed to the value of education.

Additionally, it’s important to embrace technology and innovative teaching methods to adapt to the changing needs of students and the workforce.

One big learning/realization: It is a personal realization but applicable to every educator: The role of a teacher has evolved to become more of a facilitator or mentor rather than just an expert who imparts knowledge through lectures. Teachers are expected to create an environment that encourages active learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving. They provide support, guidance, feedback, and encouragement to help students become independent learners and lifelong learners.

The quote or thought that’ll inspire me in 2023: “Teaching involves a search for meaning in the world . Teaching is a life project, a calling, a vocation that is an organizing center of all other activities. Teaching is past and future as well as present, it is background as well as foreground, it is depth as well as surface. Teaching is pain and humor, joy and anger, dreariness and epiphany. Teaching is world building, it is architecture and design, it is purpose and moral enterprise. Teaching is a way of being in the world that breaks through the boundaries of the traditional job and in the process redefines all life and teaching itself.” — William Ayers

-Prof. Ravikiran Naik is the faculty of economics at FLAME University.