Rai Business School e-Newsletter

By Prof U.S Wahie, RBS Delhi

The Role of Faculty in Professional Education
"The aim of teaching is simple: it is to make student learning possible.To teach is to make an assumption about what and how the student learns; therefore, to teach well implies learning about students' learning" (Ramsden, 1992).

In professional institutes the faculty has a crucial role to play in the process of student learning as he/she has to create a context in which the students’ develop ability to learn more effectively. This process enables the students to provide their own motivation and discipline to bring their own already developed cognitive abilities to bear on the subjects which they shall have to cover as per curriculum.

The task of faculties in professional education has many dimensions. It involves the provision of a broad context of knowledge within which the students may be made aware to locate and understand the contents of their specific studies. The faculty tries to achieve this by creating a learning environment, constantly monitoring and encouraging students to think carefully and critically. This process helps students to achieve their own aims, improvise commitment levels, and thereby work responsibly.

Most of the teachers have traditional teaching methods. The professional institutions recognize that students can learn in a variety of contexts and environments since the strategic program is to develop them to take corporate responsibilities. In such circumstances the role of teachers in Professional Education has to be flexible to meet the requirement of the industry. They have to be committed and passionate about the success of their students. The role of faculty in a professional institution involves research, teaching, and service. These roles enable faculties to generate and disseminate knowledge to their students. The balance among teaching, research, and service differs across various institutions.

The aim of teaching is simple: it is to make student learning possible.To teach is to make an assumption about what and how the student learns; therefore, to teach well implies learning about students' learning.

Faculties follow developments in the field of their expertise so that their knowledge remains updated. Many new approaches to revitalize teaching have come up, which lay emphasis on effective pedagogy, increased attention to the learning needs of students etc. This has converted the teaching role of faculty to the facilitating role. The faculties facilitate students in mastery of content, development of skills, which help students to undertake career positions.
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Faculties usually employ a variety of teaching strategies based on the audience. Faculties at professional teaching level have an ability to make the teaching material stimulating and interesting. They engage with students at their level of understanding. Therefore, they are able to improvise and adapt to new demands. Interesting lectures include case studies, relevant examples, problem solving, questioning, and discussions relevant to the topic for the lecture.

Faculties in professional institutions often serve on internal committees and advisory boards, mentoring and advising students. They even take up part-time administrative appointments as unit leaders in NGO’s. These institutional service roles carry prestige and also help faculties to disseminate the concept of corporate social responsibility in their students

Professional colleges take up projects in economic and community development, child development and nutrition, and environmental conservation along with faculty and students. This role of faculties also helps in an important way to capture public trust in the institution and demonstrate institutional responsiveness to society and its concerns.

Depending on the age of the institution, imparting knowledge and developing students does not remain sole role of faculty.