Teachers and roads themselves stand still, but they facilitate others to reach their destination.
Teachers and roads themselves stand still, but they facilitate others to reach their destination.
Prof. Raghuvir Singh is the esteemed Vice-Chancellor of K.R. Mangalam University, Gurugram.
Prof. Singh joined this institution in March 2024 after previously serving as Vice-Chancellor of the prominent and multi-disciplinary Teerthanker Mahaveer University in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. He has thirty years of experience in the field of education. Since joining the K.R. Mangalam University, he has initiated and successfully executed a program to provide students with a structured learning experience.
Prof. Raghuvir Singh believes that any university worthy of its name should have an educational philosophy since everything emanates from it. The educational concept of K.R. Mangalam University is twofold: first, teach the students how to earn a livelihood, and second, teach them how to live. The university's primary focus is on employability and students' well-rounded development as excellent human beings who contribute to society and the nation. He believes the primary goal of education is to produce individuals who can exercise self-control and discipline.
The university's curriculum is designed to promote students' holistic development. The university focuses on strengthening students' abilities to think critically, deal with people in a variety of situations, and do things. According to Prof. Singh, the university's philosophy is based on one’s capacity to think, do, and relate to one's surroundings and situations.
Prof. Raghuvir Singh explains that the institution has twelve different schools and offers around 63 courses at the graduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels. Except for Medicine and Dentistry, the university offers practically every area of study, including Law, Agriculture, Management, Engineering, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, and many more.
Speaking about his inspiration to enter the field of education, Prof. Singh states that he was inspired to pursue a career in education because he thought he had the power to help others. He feels overjoyed when he realises that he is contributing to society as well as to the growth and development of individuals. Since childhood, he has always valued people. He takes great delight in helping people progress, which is why he pursued a career in teaching.
Prof. Raghuvir Singh states that he began his career as an Electrical Engineer in Mumbai. After earning his Master's Degree in Management from JBIMS (Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies) in Mumbai in 1992, he pursued additional studies. He began working in the teaching field in 1993 and has since committed himself to developing himself and others, as well as assisting and supporting students in achieving their goals.
Prof. Raghuvir comes from a small village near Pilani and completed his schooling there up to the ninth grade. His father left a lasting influence on him, instilling discipline and a commitment to helping others. He remembers how, when he was very young, his father would gather all his siblings and ask them questions about GK, English, and Mathematics. He believes that this provided him with a fantastic source of inspiration for studying.
In terms of role models, Prof. Raghuvir Singh says he does not have a specific one because he has learnt a lot from various people. He has been a learner his entire life, having battled on his own. He is an open-minded individual who enjoys learning from others, whether through conferences, one-on-one conversations, or from his subordinates. He feels that students contribute significantly to instructors' learning. If you have smart students, they can help you become a smart teacher.
Prof. Singh says that when he arrived in Jaipur in 1995, he was completely alone and began his educational career from there. Then he transferred to BITS Pilani and also later went to a number of other colleges around the country.
The sentence "आसमान में उड़ने वाले परिंदे भी जानते हैं कि आसमान में बैठने की जगह नहीं होती।" motivates him a lot. He feels that it is critical to be grounded and never have pride or a false sense of ego. He goes on to say that hardships and conflicts are inevitable in life, but if you overcome them, they become easier to bear.
He is proud of himself because he believes in everyday practice and states, “You are what you practise every day.” He claims that if you face hardships with huge efforts, you will learn to handle them, and it will become a habit. He also thinks that work will never feel like work if you enjoy what you do.
Regarding his accomplishments, Prof. Raghuvir Singh states that becoming a Vice-Chancellor in the education field is not an accomplishment for him but rather a duty to manage a university and assist students and staff in their growth. For him, accomplishment is defined as the ability to learn continuously.
Prof. Raghuvir Singh urges new aspirants to use the 5P approach: Passion, Practice, Persevere, Hope, and Grit. He emphasises that one should have a passion, which is a strong interest in what one is doing, and then practise whatever they do. ‘Persevere’ indicates that when you practise anything and desire to achieve something, you may encounter setbacks and failures in your life, but those who can get back up after falling will undoubtedly succeed.
Furthermore, he suggests being positive and having hope, which implies you will make things happen that way, and finally, grit, which indicates your capacity to continue doing whatever you are doing for an extended period of time. Continuing what you have started over a long period, despite obstacles, will ensure your success.
Prof. Singh advises all students that if they want to develop themselves holistically, they should attend K.R. Mangalam University. He says that the transformation their university offers, from ordinary to extraordinary, is something you students would not find in many other places. The institution believes in and promotes the structured learning experience, both inside and outside the classroom. The university's programs are developed in such a manner that there is a great deal of interaction with the community, the industry, and other institutions and organisations in the area. As a result, it is both learning and doing, since students are guided through the process of doing.
Above all, the university focuses on the students' personalities. That is, the teachers here teach students how to interact with others, cope with situations, deal with failures, and so on. A lot of research is being done on people's emotions, feelings, and thoughts. The institution also ensures that diverse and exceptional students receive comprehensive development.
Lastly, Prof. Raghuvir Singh advises that if you wish to change from the outside, you must first change from within. He argues that only after shedding preconceived notions, ego, prejudices, and fear will you be able to transform your outward personality. However, if you merely want to modify the outside without working on the inside, nothing will change. except your wish. He believes that wishes cannot be realised without the effort to change.
Furthermore, he suggests distinguishing between controllable and uncontrolled factors. He advises not to waste your energy on things you can't control; instead, focus all your efforts on things you can control and then wait for results. Effort, attention, and hard effort are under your power; focus on them, and results will follow.
Prof. Raghuvir Singh explains that we can learn everything from nature. He feels a strong connection between human behaviour and the natural world. He used to remind his students that teacher and a road — both remain in place, but they help others reach their destinations. He further compares a teacher to a flowing river, saying that just like a river offers water, it is up to the student to decide how much to take. Whether it is a glass, a mug, a bucket, or a tank of water, this symbolises the amount of knowledge a student chooses to gain from their education. His message is clear: true learning goes beyond what can simply be taught; it is up to the learner to seek and absorb knowledge.