Dr. Shalya Raj is the President of Subharti K.K.B Trust, she did her graduation from SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad and completed her masters in Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics from Subharti Dental College. Innovation has always been her forte and foray into the unknown has been her strongpoint. She combined the benefits of engineering and dentistry for the benefit of patients and did her doctoral thesis on the novel concept of computational fluid dynamics. She is a lady who has her mind set and plans made. She is independently looking after the directorate of distance education in the capacity of the director. She is a popular teacher, academician, good clinician and above all a dedicated human being. These qualities make her an integral part of all cultural and social events of the University.

She is the driving force behind the Swami Vivekanand Subharti University which has been established under the aegis of Subharti K.K.B. Charitable Trust, Meerut, which has acquired a commendable record of service in the field of Education, Health care and Social Welfare.

In conversation with Anuj Kumar (Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Legal Desire), she had a healthy academic conversation as follows:

Anuj: Briefly describe about Swami Vivekanand Subharti University and the main features which adds to the repute of the university?

Dr. Shalya: Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (SVSU) is a University under section 2(f) of the University Grant Commission (U.G.C.) Act, 1956 set up under the Swami Vivekanand Subharti Vishwavidhaylaya, Uttar Pradesh Adhiniyam, 2008 (U.P. Act No.29 of 2008) as passed by Uttar Pradesh Legislature and assented by the honorable Governer of Uttar Pradesh in September 2008.

The main campus of the University is in the National Capital Region, strategically situated on National Highway 58, Delhi bypass road, Meerut, The campus aptly called ‘Subhartipuram’, is spread over a sprawling area of about 250 acres of land comprising magnificent buildings, lush green lawns and vibrant surroundings with over 5000 people, determined to make this a ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of the nation.The University has several constituent colleges which provide higher education in almost all the disciplines like Medical, Dental, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Paramedical, Pharmacy, Naturopathy, Yogic Sciences, Engineering, Management, Law, Journalism, Education, Library, Arts and Science, Hotel Management, Faculty of Science etc. thus engaged in creating academically and technically proficient professionals.Salient Features which add to the repute are as follows:

• 250 Acre Campus
• World Class Infrastructure
• Finest Faculties
• Air Conditioned & Air-Cooled Hostels
• Wi-Fi Campus
• State-of-the art Auditoriums
• In-House Medicare & Denticare Facilities
• In-House Residential Facilities
• Gymnasiums with World Class Fitness Programs
• Personality Development Cell
• Training and Placement Cell
• Legal Advisory Committee
• Ragging Free Campus

Swami Vivekanand Subharti University has become a preferred choice of students from round the world for its Quality Education @affordable cost. The University has been awarded with ‘Outstanding University Award 2014-15’ at School of Educators Global Education Awards.

Anuj: What was the main aim behind establishing Subharti Law College and how is it different from other law schools?

Dr. Shalya: The vision behind opening a law college is to provide the country with responsible lawyers, awakened to their duty and willing to fight for the right. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Subharti Institute of Law was started in the year 2002. The College was started in the sacred memory of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, after whom the college has been named, an Iron Man and the country first Home Minister and eminent lawyer. Our law school pattern offers theoretical knowledge along with practical training, industrial visits. The most important aspect is that we inculcate values by taking seminars, moot competitions and extra-curricular activities.  The salient features of Sardar Patel Subharti Insitute of Law are as under:

• Approved by Bar Council of India
• World Class Expertise Faculty
• Extensive library and Computer Lab with online legal database.
• Guest lectures by Leading Luminaries
• Regular International, National & Regional Seminars.
• Moot Court Association
• Legal Aid Clinic and Legal Counselling Cell.
• Digital Class Rooms & Moot Court Hall.
• Wifi Campus
• Internship & Placement Support Cell

Anuj: How is your University imparting practical skills to students apart from academic knowledge?

Dr. Shalya: We attract the best talent from all parts of India. These bright students bring strength and value. The Uniqueness of Subharti University lies in providing an environment fully conducive to the overall development of students, thus maintaining a balance between academic excellence and moral perfection by adoption of practical method of learning.

Practical education is way more interactive than theoretical. It does not involve just teaching and lecturing irrespective of whether the student is able to understand the concepts or not. Theory education usually employs teachers who teach in a plain manner or books which may or may not include interactive exercises. Whereas in practical works, inputs from students are not just invited but are also necessary. Interactive sessions, experiments, interactive exercises, are important features of practical education which ensure the involvement of students, making them learn and understand more. Training and exercise are meant to improve your skills which cannot be obtained by just theoretical knowledge. Theory can provide one with oodles of expertise and proficiency but it can never deliver those kinds of results and improved skills that you can get from practical education. Again, reading a chapter of engineering won’t help, doing experiments will surely do and will improve your engineering skills.

In this context the University organises various national and international events including conferences, competitions, cultural events and more. The University also organises annually ‘Subharti Mahotsav’ a talent hunt fest for students of 10-12th standards too. Apart from that University is actively engaged in social initiatives of Subharti Samaj in collaboration with Unmukt Bharat Movement.

Anuj: How would you describe your leadership style?

Dr. Shalya: I subscribe to the servant leadership paradigm, so I lead by working to create a common vision of the organization, or in this case, the University, and empowering others to implement that in their own way. In general, I support people in the work they do; I wouldn’t ask someone to do what I personally wouldn’t like to do either. I seek to motivate people and create a collaborative vision. I’d say what sets a leader apart is the ability to create a shared vision, the ability to move people along that vision, and recognizing that everyone in this team is of value. You don’t want everyone to be the same, you appreciate that each person brings their set of talents, with the end goal focused on the bigger picture. Leadership is about empowering the people who work with you.

Anuj: Kindly let us know whether there is any provision for scholarship for your programmes and if yes how to apply for it.

Dr. Shalya: The University various scholarship programmes as follows:

• For girls: All girls are given scholarship by the trust if they decide to study in University, based on their percentage in their 12th standard.
• All meritorious students are offered scholarship if they have scored well in their 12th exams.
• We have a Subharti National Eligibility test, if a student qualifies in that, he gets a scholarship in the course he opted for admission.
• If a student is already studying in the university, his brother/sister will be offered a scholarship if they persue their studies through Swami Vivekanand Subharti University.

Anuj: Subharti University also runs a number of Distance Education programme, Brief us about your Distance Education programme in Law and features? 

Dr. Shalya: We have also been offering several courses through Distance Education under the Directorate of Distance Education, approved by Joint Panel Committee of UGC-AICTE-DEC and recognized by the DEB of UGC. There is a post graduate programme in Law namely “Post Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Right” also being run under Distance Education which is a post graduate diploma programme for people embarking on a career in Intellectual property rights. It is a one-year, part-time course designed to give junior practitioners a grounding in the fundamentals of IPR law and practice.  It covers the full range of IP subjects (including Patents, Trade Marks, Unfair Competition and Passing Off, Trade Secrets, Designs, Protection of Industrial Property at the National Level, Copyright and related Rights at National level, Enforcement of IPR, Contemporary Intellectual Property Issues etc). The PG Diploma is assessed by written assignments and eight three-hours written examinations. Apart from Law, following are the courses run by the Swami Vivekanand Subharti University University under the Directorate of Distance Education –

Salient Features of the Courses by Distance:

• The courses are approved by Joint Committee (UGC-AICTE-DEC) and recognized by DEB of UGC.
• Learners are provided Self Learning Material, free of cost
• For continuous assessment of the learners concept of Assignments has been adopted
• Follow the anuual examination mode.
• Provide facility to clear learner’s queries online or through mail
• Delivering the lectures through television mode also.

Anuj: Your Message to our readers? 

Dr. Shalya: Our country’s future is in our hands only. When we remember to demand our rights, we should also remember our duties. If we want the ambulance to reach us in time then it is us who need to follow the traffic rules, if we want safety for women, it is us who need to stand firm and raise our voice, if we want our country to be clean it is us who need to not throw garbage on the roads. Build your national character, save paper, light, water, be a good human and you will definitely succeed in every aspect of life. Public awareness and education are essential to changing social and cultural norms which perpetuate harmful practices.  While enjoying fundamental rights, we should also perform fundamental duties towards the state.

Readers can visit www.subharti.org for more info. about University and Courses offered.