Dr. Ramakant Agrawal holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Ranchi University. He is a gold medallist in MA (Economics). He joined XISS in 1988 and except one year in 1996-97, he has continuously worked here as a Faculty Member first in the Department of Rural Development and then in the Department of Personnel Management/ Human Resource Management. His research interest is in Public Finance and has written State memorandum for the Government of Jharkhand twice, one for submission to the 13th Finance Commission and another for submission to the 14th Finance Commission. He has also conducted a research study on Evaluation of State Finances for the state of Jharkhand for the Fourteenth Finance Commission. He has represented the state of Jharkhand as an Economist in Thirteenth and Fourteenth Finance Commission’s meetings. He has been a consultant to the Finance Department of Jharkhand Government and conducted a few studies for it including one on Value Added Tax (VAT). He also conducted a study on the system of sales of alcoholic beverages in Chhattisgarh for Jharkhand Government subsequent to which the state implemented a new system for sale of alcoholic beverages in the state that was based on Chhattisgarh model Achievements. He has imparted training to state-level administrative and judicial officers at Sri Krishna Institute of public Administration (SKIPA), Ranchi and Audit Officers of Indian Audit & Accounts Department (IA&AD) at the Regional Training Institute (RTI) Ranchi which falls under the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). He was nominated as a Member of the State Planning Board. He was a part-time faculty to teach a course on Social Research Methods in XLRI to the full-time management students of PMIR and Business Management Day (BMD).

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XISS Ranchi

In your role as Senior Faculty, could you outline the strategic initiatives you plan to implement for the program's advancement?

As a Senior Faculty at XISS, I plan to implement strategic initiatives for the advancement of the HRM Program by fostering industry collaborations, enhancing experiential learning opportunities, and integrating cutting-edge research into the curriculum.

How do you incorporate a pragmatic approach into the curriculum, ensuring its alignment with industry requirements?

Incorporating a pragmatic approach into the curriculum involves regularly updating course content, inviting industry experts for guest lectures, facilitating industry internships, and conducting industry-relevant projects to ensure alignment with current industry requirements.

Could you elaborate on the department's recommended best practices provided to students for acquiring essential skills?

The department recommends best practices to students for acquiring essential skills through workshops, seminars, mentorship programs, and exposure to real-world case studies. We emphasize soft skills development, critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.

What is your strategy for curriculum development, and how frequently is it updated to stay current with industry demands?

Our curriculum development strategy involves periodic reviews and updates based on feedback from industry partners, alumni, and faculty expertise. We aim to update the curriculum at least once a year to stay current with industry demands.

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What are your perspectives on prevailing placement trends and associated expectations within your department?

We closely monitor prevailing placement trends and collaborate with industry partners to understand their expectations. We strive to prepare our students to meet these expectations through comprehensive skill development and industry exposure.

In preparing students for the competitive job market, what measures do you employ to assist them in navigating and excelling in the professional landscape?

To prepare students for the competitive job market, we offer career counseling, resume workshops, mock interviews, networking opportunities, and mentorship programs. We also encourage participation in internships and industry projects.

Are there extra curricular or co curricular activities and programs in place to augment students; skills and expose them to real-world challenges?

Yes, we offer a range of extracurricular and co-curricular activities such as industry visits, leadership development programs, HR conclaves, case competitions, and student-run clubs to augment students' skills and expose them to real-world challenges.

What challenges have you encountered or currently face in elevating the educational quality within your program?

Challenges in elevating educational quality include keeping pace with rapidly evolving industry trends, balancing theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring faculty readiness for new teaching methodologies, and securing adequate resources for program enhancement.

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How does the curriculum of your program ensure the integration of industry best practices?

The curriculum ensures the integration of industry best practices through industry-academic partnerships, guest lectures, case studies, and hands-on projects that reflect real-world scenarios.

How does your program contribute to enhancing faculty skills and aligning their preparation with industry standards?

The program contributes to enhancing faculty skills by facilitating continuous professional development through conferences, workshops, research collaborations, and industry immersion programs aimed at aligning faculty preparation with industry standards.

Beyond the formal curriculum, what interventions and approaches do you employ to train and educate students effectively?

Beyond the formal curriculum, we employ experiential learning methods, such as internships, field projects, simulations, and role-playing exercises, to provide practical exposure and develop students' problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills.

What do you identify as the department’s primary strengths, and how do you envision enhancing them further?

The department's primary strengths lie in its strong industry connections, experienced faculty, experiential learning opportunities, and rigorous curriculum. We aim to enhance these strengths further by expanding industry collaborations, fostering research excellence, and nurturing a culture of innovation.

What valuable advice would you offer students to ensure a prosperous career trajectory in your field?

Valuable advice for students includes staying updated with industry trends, developing a strong professional network, continuously upgrading skills, seeking mentorship, being adaptable to change, and maintaining a passion for learning and growth.