About Institutes and Intellectual Orientation

The other day we were discussing about intellectual orientation making a difference at the workplace..Or does it not make any difference ? The geek at the workplace is a well known phenomenon but what about people with a not so great intellectual orientation stuck up in an environment where knowledge is one of the key raw material for the organizational building blocks . I think this person stands out like a sore thumb , a fish out of water . We debate if the academic institute would make a difference in selecting a person for a role that demands great intellectual rigour and analytical depth . May be after a few years it does not matter in specific cases . But why does institute matter ? Has it got to do with the early choices in life ? Is it the person’s innate disposition which is unalterable – only a specific type would get into a particular academic institute and only that finished product would be eligible for a role in certain organizations . Anyone else in that role will be a fish out of water …

Of clones and creativity

A television advertisement proclaims that if you use a particular set top box for your TV your child will become Einstein. And in fact the ad shows an entire class full of little Einsteins with the now famous mop of hair and moustache.. Well is that what today’s system is doing - Converting all kids into clones of each other .Then there is the pressure to take up as your vocation a so called in field . I happened to visit a couple of premier educational institutes as part of work and one trait that I deciphered across all the bright young minds was that they are extremely focused and talented . But the pressure to perform probably is so high that there is very little scope for creativity to thrive. At the same time there is not much space or time for so called liberal thought process to emerge where attention is given to all domains: literature, theater, society, economics, politics etc. There might be still quite a few young people who take the off beat path, but their numbers are fewer. At the same time students cutting across all mind sets and orientations are encouraged to take up the so called commercial fields (eg management) that might make more economic sense in the short term. There is lot of investment done for the same purpose. Probably if the same amount was spent on a vocation suiting the student’s aptitude probably the returns would have been better in the long run for the individual. A lot of this is perpetuated on an ongoing basis and what we get is a set of students who have common aims and aspirations (funnily enough!!!-where is the room for individual goals and journey here …).But what kind of society will we create with only technology, business thought and economic principles playing a mission critical role in our life? Where are those leisurely moments where at least as students one could read, think and chat about critical and interesting matters not really confined only to the syllabus? On second thoughts we might ultimately produce a system full of clones much like the TV ad.

Peer Learning

I was just thinking about the importance of peer learning in my life and career . I realized that the quality of peer learning is definitely superior and the benefits far more greater than any other form of learning . We start studying in groups since the early stages of our life .Later on the focus moves to be more individualistic and then with higher education - depending on the type of education could vary from being individualistic to a more team based approach . However once formal education is over the importance of peer learning cannot be underemphasized . That is so because there is a limit to an individual's span of interest and depth of understanding . Sharing of views and ideas enables us to get different perspectives and comprehend even different sources of knowledge . On the actual work front it will help you arrive at alternative solutions to tackle a situation. It can offer you even plain old information required to execute a task well. Also peers working in a different setting ,a different industry or country can offer multiple view points on a particular situation . They would also help you to broaden your horizons and make you move out of your comfort zone . It goes without saying that one needs a set of like minded peers to make this possible . But we can find coworkers , old friends , even family members who can contribute to the shared learning process.

Then there is peer learning that happens through formal routes like seminars and conferences . These forums are as much a source of networking as much as they are a platform for learning and sharing .In times of change especially peer learning can help us hone our skills and acquire practical knowledge . In fact Generation Y or millenials as many call then are supposed to be a highly networked and collaborative generation . We might find it difficult to measure the tangible benefits of peer learning in our lives and in organizations- but it happens all the while . It is the individual prerogative to imbibe the influences and implement the learnings.

Teachers

There was a program on a business channel on the importance of teachers in our life(on NDTV PROFIT) . The program concluded by saying that senior teachers get paid even less than an administrative assistant in an MNC . I started thinking about the importance of teachers in my life at school, graduation and post graduation level . One of the most significant contributors in my life who would have helped shape my world view was our English Literature professor J C Coelho. He was termed as a ‘walking talking encyclopedia’ by most of the students .His dedication and commitment to the profession was a unthought-of . I do not think he considered teaching as his profession. It was a passion and hence teaching English Literature ceased to be a job for him ,it was a way of life . I remember once when we had a discussion ( many moons back !)related to the last dialogue of Socrates before his death . There Socrates tell one of his disciples , Crito before dying that – I owe a cock to Asclepius . We incidentally had the same reference in one of our lessons in school . JCC at once asked us what it means . I was able to answer it because of the obvious reason that again in school we had a very dedicated teacher who had explained to us the context of the dialogue . I told him promptly that it means that Socrates wanted his disciple to give an offering to the Greek God of healing/medicine as he has healed him of life by giving him death . JCC at once said that your teacher in school might be a very simple and dedicated person and undoubtedly she was(incidentally he had asked the same question to many batches and only one student many years back was able to answer it !!) – I think her name was Ms Jennifer . Like that there are quite few teachers who have shown me the way , moulded my thinking and even lifestyle . But where are the dedicated teachers these days ?

I read an article the other day that every year in India we produce at least half a million MBAs but about 20000 might be employable out of the entire pool. This is an indicator that the quality of education might be far from satisfactory . But how can you expect a sector to flourish when it offers one of the lowest emoluments and extremely uncertain future prospects . The education sector in its current status in India might not attract the best minds (of course this statement is open to debate and discussion ), but ironically this sector is supposed to mould and create the thought leaders for tomorrow . It is a huge question as to how do we create a generation that is employable with the right skills to tackle the competitive forces that will be unleashed on a growing market like India , say 20 years hence…..