Prof. Sheetal Bhasin is a Professor and the Head of the Department of Biosciences and IQAC Coordinator at Maharaja Ranjit Singh College of Professional Sciences, Indore. She has 26 years of experience teaching and training students from school to research level in the field of microbial biotechnology. She did her Masters in Microbiology from DAVV, Ph. D. from Gujarat University and has 18 national and international publications in the field of fermentative production of bioactive biomolecules by actinomycetes, analytical and applied microbiology and a book chapter.

Dr. Bhasin has 15 NCBI submissions of promising bioactive compound-producing Streptomycete isolates and eight NCIM culture submissions to her credit. She is guiding PhD students registered in DAVV, Indore and is a member of the examination panel in various universities for PhD, postgraduate and undergraduate examinations. She is actively involved in research and industrial consultation and has active collaborations with industries and educational institutes. Her research students have won awards for their research work at various conferences. Not only has she delivered talks at various conferences, seminars and webinars, but she has given more than 55 conference presentations. She has guided around 80 students for their postgraduate-level research projects and 8 Undergraduate level projects. She has been a member of the Board of Studies, Microbiology, DAVV, Indore, and VC appointed member of the Examination Committee, Microbiology, DAVV, Indore. Moreover, she has developed 15 e-content modules for Swayam online courses developed by the UGC Consortium for Educational Communication India under the National Mission on Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, India (2015-2016) and has been a coordinator for MOOCs programmes on Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2019-2020 and Microbiology and Immunology (2019-2019 and 2017-2018) courses offered on Swayam Portal by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development.

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What keeps you connected with the education sector and how has your experience been so far with this institute?

The experience has been fascinating as this is a multifaceted job. I relate to education because of the wonderful teachers I've had throughout my academic journey, starting from school to Ph. D. level. They imparted valuable life lessons and provided a strong academic foundation. I joined this institute in 1997 as a postgraduate in Microbiology from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore. While teaching here I could not only deliver what I learnt from my teachers but also upgrade my qualification by accomplishing Ph. D. Over the past 26 years of teaching, I've encountered students with diverse talents and learning abilities. I believe that a nation can only progress through good education and values. My goal is to transfer the knowledge and experiences I've gained from my teachers and educational institutions to my students. Our professional staff and skilled teachers ensure that students grasp theoretical concepts and practical skills effectively. Students who have studied here often express their gratitude for the quality education, practical exposure, industrial visits, and workshops they receive. Their positive feedback encourages me to continue nurturing future generations of learners.

What is your philosophy of leadership?

My philosophy of leadership is that I must exemplify what I expect from others. If I only preach without practising, then I am not truly leading. To be a leader, one must excel in what they are teaching and demonstrating to others. Additionally, a leader must be observant of the current trends, demands of the time, and industry requirements. They must identify the qualities needed in mentors within our society and industry and instil those qualities in students. This way, even if only a few out of many students exhibit specific talents, we nurture and groom them to lead their peers and the community around them.

Check Maharaja Ranjit Singh College of Professional Sciences Faculty

What are your roles and responsibilities? 

I am primarily a teacher, responsible for teaching subjects related to microbiology, biotechnology, and life sciences. Additionally, I am the Head of the Department of Biosciences, overseeing these three subjects at both the BSc and MSc levels. Alongside teaching, I have other responsibilities, such as being the IQAC coordinator for internal quality assurance activities and handling NAAC activities. We have completed the first cycle of NAAC and received a B double plus grade. In terms of research, I focus on areas related to antibiotics, enzymes, and pigments, particularly metabolite production by actinobacteria. I also supervise postgraduate and PhD-level students in their research efforts. We believe in all round development of students by providing them wide exposure on different platforms. The students are encouraged to participate in workshops, conferences, industrial visits, and guest lectures. Initiatives such as grooming students for interviews and preparing for competitive exams are also taken up to make students ready for their future ventures.

How does the curriculum of your institute ensure best practices?

We adopt the curriculum prescribed by the university, ensuring that we deliver the best content possible to our students. Our goal is to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge for their future endeavors. All the teachers here, including myself, focus on making students proficient in their respective subjects. We have adopted different methods for experiential and participative learning for students where their involvement is assured and the skills are instilled in them with long-lasting effects. This preparation enables them to enter the workforce confidently after graduation or post-graduation. For instance, we ensure that students develop strong experimental skills relevant to their curriculum and industry requirements. We organize visits to companies so that students can observe firsthand how these industries operate and understand their processes. This exposure ensures that when students enter the workforce, they are familiar with industry practices and can perform well in their roles.

What do you think is the greatest strength of your institute? 

The greatest strength of our institute lies in our commitment to delivering high-quality teaching, both in theory and practical with support of our college management. They believe in the growth of all the members associated with the institute. There is a strong support for regular upgradation of teachers so that they can deliver best to the students. Teachers are very closely associated with students which is evident with the always available attitude of our alumni. Strong mentorship provided to the students creates an enduring effect on them which they reciprocate as alumni in the form of regular training, guidance and placement to current students. We take proactive measures to ensure student attendance, such as reaching out to students and parents when absences occur. We maintain strict standards in conducting experiments, practicals, and following schedules. To engage students further, we organize various competitions, like poster competitions and quizzes related to their curriculum. These activities provide alternative avenues for learning beyond traditional classroom teaching, making the learning experience more engaging and less monotonous for students. We constantly explore different strategies to keep students actively involved and immersed in their studies.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the students and aspiring youth?

My advice to students is that there is no substitute for sincerity, truthfulness, and hard work. These three virtues are essential for achieving success in life. Starting early and embodying these qualities will bring you closer to your goals. On the contrary, if you deceive yourself, lack sincerity, or are not attentive, your journey to success will be prolonged. If you aim to achieve your goals swiftly and reach significant milestones, you must be sincere and dedicated to your pursuits, regardless of the subject. It's not necessary to confine yourself to textbooks; instead, focus on what you excel at or what interests you—whether it's performing science, arts, sports, or the fashion industry. Stay true to your passion, put in the hard work, seek guidance, and delve deep into your chosen area to achieve success.