An assistant professor at Manipal University, Dr. Asha Sharma transformed her challenges into opportunities, pursuing higher education and embracing teaching as her passion. Along with classroom teaching, she also contributes to the Directorate of Online Education at the university.

Dr. Asha Mamraj Sharma is an Assistant Professor at Manipal University, Jaipur, with over 15 years of teaching experience. She is deeply passionate about teaching and helping her students learn through innovative teaching methods that promote their overall growth and development.

While she initially focused on classroom teaching, she is now also associated with the Directorate of Online Education of the university , contributing to academic development of online students through digital learning. Her enthusiasm for learning and growth has led her to participate in various workshops, conferences, faculty development programs, and seminars. Additionally, she has published several research papers and articles in reputed national and international journals.

Teaching a class of 60 students, Dr. Asha Sharma finds joy in her interactions with them. She fondly shares how many of her former students still visit her, remember her efforts, and acknowledge her impact on their lives. For her, these moments are priceless achievements.

Now, as part of the Online Education Team, she interacts with students from diverse age groups and backgrounds. She highlights that teaching is a field where one learns every day, thanks to the two-way communication with students. The feedback, appreciation, and respect she receives from students makes her role as a teacher deeply fulfilling. Dr. Sharma firmly believes that every student has a unique ability to learn, and it is the teacher's responsibility to understand and nurture their potential.

Dr. Asha Sharma holds a PhD in Commerce. She has earned an MBA with a specialization in Finance and a Master’s Degree in Commerce (Financial Management). She has also cleared the NET exam in Management, which adds to her academic credentials.

Dr. Sharma shares that her family hails from a rural background in Jaipur, and her journey to becoming an assistant professor was filled with struggles. She often tells her students that challenges in life help shape a stronger and more resilient person. She believes that earning success through hard work teaches us its true value. Dr. Sharma recalls how her father, an audit officer, inspired her with his dedication to his job, which was transferable and required the family to relocate frequently.

Later, her family settled in Vadodara for some time, where she was born and raised and completed her schooling up to the 10th grade. Her family later moved to Jaipur after her father retired. She completed her higher education in Jaipur, including her PhD.

Reflecting on her childhood, she feels grateful for the opportunity to live in different cities, which exposed her to various cultures and enriched her learning experience. She believes that not all knowledge comes from books—real-life experiences, like understanding diverse cultures, add significant value to personal growth.

As the youngest sibling to three elder brothers, Dr. Asha recalls being pampered as a child and, to this day, she is treated in the same manner by her family. However, she feels that today's parents often provide too much for their children, making them less concerned about their future. She advises parents to encourage their children to explore their interests and strengths once they complete primary education. This approach, she believes, allows children to take ownership of their choices and achievements, giving them confidence to say, “I am what I am because of my own actions.” She also stresses the importance of students giving their best effort in every phase of life.

Dr. Sharma emphasizes that even the most successful individuals have faced failures in their lives, whether during school or at other stages of their lives. According to her, failures are a stepping stone to greater learning. She advises students not to dwell on their setbacks but instead to focus on what they can learn and move forward with determination.

Dr. Asha Mamraj Sharma shares that she comes from a traditional Brahmin family. Her parents were strong believers in the value of education, especially for girls, and they ensured that she had the opportunity to pursue her studies without the pressure of early marriage.

Unlike her brothers, who attended government schools, she was fortunate to study in both government and private schools, which broadened her exposure. After completing her schooling, she graduated from one of Jaipur’s top private colleges. However, as is common in some traditional families, distant relatives started suggesting her to be married soon after. To avoid being pushed into marriage, she decided to prepare for competitive exams while continuing her education.

She believes that competitive exams are a combination of knowledge and luck. But when the societal pressure to get married kept increasing, she realized that many boys were more focused on finding a bride who excelled at household chores than on her career aspirations. Determined to follow her own path, she pursued a professional degree, earning an MBA in Finance.

Post-marriage, she faced restrictions on working in corporate companies, but she convinced her family to allow her to work in educational institutions. This led her to discover her passion for teaching, a career she had not initially planned for but which turned out to be her true calling. Dr. Asha emphasizes that life doesn’t always go as planned, but things often align for the best.

Talking about her role models, Dr. Sharma says her parents are her greatest inspiration. They supported her independence and ensured that she was well-prepared for life. They raised her to be confident in making her own decisions and equipped her with the skills and education needed to succeed.

However, she opines that today’s generation often views parental guidance as useless lectures. She finds it disheartening that children sometimes fail to respect their parents or to truly listen to them. As a mother,  she believes that parents don’t lecture to criticize but to correct and guide. She advises children to maintain open communication with their parents, share their feelings, and understand that parents always want the best for them. Dr. Asha’s own parents stood by her goals and dreams, which she believes played a significant role in her success.

Dr. Asha Mamraj Sharma’s success mantra for today’s youth is to put their heart and soul into whatever they do. She acknowledges that young professionals often start their careers with enthusiasm but lose motivation over time due to repetitive work. Her advice is to combat monotony with creativity and innovation. Drawing from her own experience, she shares how she regularly updates her subject knowledge and adopts new teaching methods to keep her work exciting and impactful. By infusing creativity into their roles, she believes anyone can rediscover their passion for their job.

Another key piece of advice from Dr. Sharma is to stay stress-free. She recommends spending quality time with children or engaging in sports or hobbies to calm the mind. Stress, she says, not only affects the individual but also negatively impacts those around them. Activities like playing with kids or pursuing hobbies can help release tension and foster happiness.

Dr. Asha also stresses the importance of lifelong learning. She encourages people to keep gaining knowledge through books, videos, news, or any available resources. Being adaptable to change is crucial, as change is the only constant in life. She believes that staying stagnant limits personal growth and advises everyone to embrace opportunities for learning and self-improvement.

For those interested in higher education, she recommends exploring opportunities through the Directorate of Online Education at Manipal University, Jaipur. It offers a platform for pursuing advanced degrees and expanding professional horizons.

In conclusion, Dr. Asha Sharma emphasizes the importance of enriching one’s personal and professional portfolio. By constantly learning, innovating, and staying adaptable, she believes anyone can achieve success and fulfillment in life.