Parents to help shape college syllabus at Mumbai’s HR College

A parent addresses HR College students during a seminar. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

While most colleges already use the inputs of alumni and industry experts, HR College of Commerce & Economics at Churchgate has now looped in 60 parents from fields related to courses taught for inputs on the college's curriculum. The advisory group includes approximately five parents for each course.

These parents share their inputs with the course coordinator, who takes them further to the Board of Studies - the body responsible for designing the syllabus, programmes, and the broader curricula of these courses. The parents concluded their first online meeting with the coordinators last month.

"These parents have long been in the industry. Through this initiative, our students get their expertise alongside an emotional connection. Now, the parents whose children are getting the degrees have a say in what their wards are learning at college. Since it's their own wards involved, the parents view this as an important responsibility," said Dr Pooja Ramchandani, principal, HR College.

HR College students attend a presentation made by the parents' group. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Upskilling, industry demands, changes brought about by Artificial Intelligence (AI), industrial placements, certificate courses, and personal learning become a part of the parent-course coordinator interaction. Since the parents also have day-to-day experiences with the children, the inputs also loop in what today's children want.

For the past 3 years, the college has also been running a ‘1 parent 1 intern' programme for those parents involved in fiscal fields. The involvement of parents in the curriculum has also helped further the programme, say officials.

"Youngsters in their second year take up internships. When they are with the parents, we are reassured that they are in safe hands and are not directly thrust into a ruthless industry," added Dr Ramchandani. These parents have also been roped in for creation of new honours programmes that are now to be offered under the new education policy.

A better approach

Adil Behram Driver Direct insurance, investments, and compliance
My daughter is in the final year of BMS (Bachelor of Management Studies). Initially, I have only taken sessions on my field of expertise, but now I have been looped into an advisory board. Since we are already in the market, we know where the gaps lie. Students these days are very enthusiastic, but usually need to be hand-held on the job, so our advice can guide them. As parents, we are reassured about what awaits our children after their degrees. Since we are known faces, children are more receptive towards our guidance too.

A parent adviser (anonymous) RBI
Through the panels, I have shared my inputs on research projects, methodologies, evaluation processes, and question papers, given the market expertise. Since we make observations about our children at home, we can also address the soft skills they need to have as children of tomorrow.

Sunil Chachlani Investment, equity products, and taxation
My daughter is in the second-year of BFM (Bachelor of Financial Markets), and I am glad about this approach by the college. I am already being approached by the students on LinkedIn. Generally, all college curricula are learning-based, and I am happy to steer the children's way towards a more hands-on approach.