Prof. Dharminder Kumar is the Dean of Science and Technology at Gurugram University, Gurugram. He holds a Master's and Ph.D. from Kurukshetra University. With over 35 years of experience in the education sector, he has made significant contributions to academic leadership and the advancement of education in Science & Technology.

Prof. Dharminder Kumar

What is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

As a leader, my responsibility is to satisfy all stakeholders, namely, the students, parents, alumni, employees, employers & regulatory bodies. At Gurugram University, we coordinate with multiple regulators such as the AICTE, University Grants Commission, National Board of Accreditation, National Assessment and Accreditation Council, NIRF, PCI, and the Bar Council of India, among others. In my opinion, effective leadership involves managing relationships with these regulators, and effectively connecting with all other stakeholders while fostering the institution's development. As the Dean, my key responsibility is to coordinate with all the departments under science & technology, primarily regarding teaching & research.

How does the curriculum of the college ensure the best practice of industry?

In the current era of student-centric education, our curriculum is designed to be flexible and tailored to student choices. It emphasizes skill-based learning to meet industry demands, ensuring students possess at least one (or more) marketable skill upon graduation. This approach aligns with the Government of India's NEP-2020, which has incorporated value-added, skill-based, vocational, interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary courses in the education system. At Gurugram University, we have finalized schemes and syllabi for UG and/or programs for both affiliated colleges and university departments to implement this framework in the 2024-25 academic session. Our goal is to prepare students to be immediately effective in their professional roles from the moment they join the industry.

What do you think your roles and responsibilities to the Institution and the students are?

As the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, I oversee four major departments: Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Within these departments, the largest is Engineering and Technology. It offers diverse programs including six UG engineering specializations, a five-year integrated MCA program, a two-year MCA program, a two-year MSc in Computer Science with Data Science and AI, and new UG & PG programs in Design. My responsibilities include coordinating curriculum design, teaching and learning, assessment and evaluation, and skill training. Additionally, I focus on the activities related to students, faculty, and institutional development, including ranking and accreditation efforts.

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What do you see as your college’s greatest strengths?

Gurugram University, established six years ago, has grown significantly. Starting with a few faculty members, we now have 75 regular faculty members across all cadres, along with full-time contractual faculty and adjunct faculties. Our greatest strengths include a robust and diverse faculty, infrastructure, and our strategic location in Gurugram, a major corporate hub in Haryana. This location enhances student access and boosts our ability to meet their needs. The university is excelling in fulfilling the expectations of state governance, further solidifying its strengths.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see, both for higher education in general and for your college specifically?

To the best of my knowledge, employability is the biggest challenge. This encompasses not only placements but also the number of students pursuing higher studies and entrepreneurship. With the support of central and state government initiatives, our focus is now on fostering entrepreneurship and startup activities on campus, enabling graduates to create jobs for others. Thus, the challenge is to develop more and more entrepreneurs, not just job seekers, after graduation from our prestigious institution. GUG has recently established a “Startup Incubation Centre” to support the entrepreneurial spirit of our young minds.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth?

Dear students, parents, employers, industries, and academicians, I urge you to motivate students to acquire at least one or two skills during their academic careers. These skills will open numerous opportunities for their livelihood. Students should proactively seek out the skills needed for their desired career based on industry needs, whether through campus resources or other means. Requesting training from the university to gain these essential skills is highly encouraged during your course of study. This is my message to every student: prioritize learning at least one valuable skill.