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Mr Gajendra Kumar is the Chief Academic Officer at the Pathfinder Institute, Kolkata. He has graduated from one of Asia’s best Marine Engineering colleges and has worked with Mitsui and British Petroleum as a marine engineer, visiting more than 45 countries. But due to his immense interest in education/knowledge sharing, he gave up his glamorous job as a marine engineer and started working as faculty. Due to his intense knowledge and research in the education field, he has written 12 books for IIT JEE and CAT to help aspiring students. He has proved himself to be an effective team leader, who consistently identifies new business opportunities and is well accustomed to working under pressure and in various environments.
What factors made you choose to be a part of the education sector?
“An innate desire to help the young students become established professionals”
I got my first job from college placement in a Japanese company and sailed across 45 countries but the job satisfaction was missing. Although it was a high-paying job, something felt missing as my passion lies somewhere else. I thought no career in this world is better than the career associated with your hobby, because then you will get paid for your hobby, just like my father, I was always inclined towards the education sector as a teacher. Being able to teach and mentor young minds really motivates me immensely.
What is the toughest part in teaching or being in the education sector?
“The day any result is declared top 5-10% are happy, while the dream of remaining get crashed”
As a true teacher/mentor the most difficult day is the day result of any competitive exam is declared. Even a single student could not qualify or get the desired rank/score after putting in the hard work, I feel the pain of that student, I feel myself connected with that student. Even nowadays I stopped sharing results of my students on social media as it makes me feel to celebrate while one of my students is crying in his/her room.
As a teacher we should not only make our students strong in their subject but also make them mentally strong, we should not only prepare for the exam but also prepare for any unwanted thing on result day, in a nutshell we should prepare our students for the battle of life than a battle of just one exam.
How would you define your style of leadership?
“A democratic leadership style that helps everyone grow equally”
Providing constant motivation and support to my peers and learners is the best way to handle leadership in an academic setting. I don’t want to push anybody, be it my students or faculty. Instead of giving them any deadline, I ask them their opinions on the specific task. This allows them to be comfortable enough to share their thoughts with me.
What will be your strategy for administration and marketing?
“Train and inculcate the best practices of the blended mode of learning”
At Pathfinder Institute we are running 42 centres and 5 schools. There are several veteran faculty working, who are being trained in the hybrid model of education. We have trained everyone and now they’re fully equipped with every learning tool. We believe that Problem-solving can be done in online mode also. Now in the hybrid model, we can give 30-40% more time to students in each subject.
Check Pathfinder Institute Courses & Fees
How does your institute ensure the best practice in the industry?
“By implementing industry best practices in projects, seminars and workshops”
There are various ways which are offered by the institute to the students which help them gain necessary skills-
- By conducting regular doubt sessions.
- Multiple level tests to identify the strong and weak areas of students.
- Special online doubt session in Hybrid format.
- We give 360 degrees support, unlike other institutes we support our students till they get the college that they deserve.
- Proper counseling is done from time to time to motivate students.
- Special mentorship program where a mentor takes complete care of students.
What is the role of the institute towards student growth?
“Analyze, understand and implement students-centric policies”
I believe that teaching the students in an institute is just one part. Motivating them to keep trying and going above and beyond is more important. We always aim to analyze and discuss strategies that will benefit our students in their comprehensive growth. Also, our responsibility is not just towards the toppers but also the backbenchers, we look after each and every student with equal potential.
What piece of advice would you like to share with aspiring students?
“Understand your desires and goals and be self-reliant”
In my career, I have seen students getting All India rank 100 and crying and All India rank 1000 and happy, so success is defined by your own parameters the same rank/score can be bad for one student but dream for others, hence, do not be demotivated by others opinions., You should be genuine and humble in your target. Most importantly enjoy your journey of preparation and be focused on your end goal, without any distractions and most importantly follow your mentor’s advice you will surely achieve your dream one day.
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