Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Education
Need for diversity and access
Excerpts from article by Abhishek Mohan Gupta, published in The Hindu
A flexible syllabus and a healthy student-teacher relationship will go a long way in creating sustainable change in our schools and colleges
Education, in all its manifestations, is the need of the century. It is the answer to all global problems, whether poverty, unemployment, or economic crises. By developing potent strategies to transform the population into educated citizens, we can bring about a sustainable change in the world.
One crucial way to achieve this is to introduce multicultural education into our academic culture. This can be achieved by bringing together a healthy mix of students and teachers from all walks of life: diverse individuals hailing from different socio-economic and political backgrounds, who represent multiple castes, creeds, races, all on the same platform receiving the same quality of education.
Not only will it lead to an accepting environment and pave the way for equitable citizenship, but will also inculcate the values of democracy, as the system will be based on the core values of equality and equity of growth.
A multicultural education system has the potential to develop a new perspective in life for students who will be capable of adapting to the changing global academic scene. They will learn to accept others and cherish new cultures and traditions, thus opening the doors to a wide range of opportunities. They will also be better at handling challenges.
With that intervention and through international collaborations and the use of advanced technology in research, we can bring about pedagogical changes. A free flow of information will create new research opportunities and add to existing knowledge in the concerned fields.
Reduce disparities
Easy access to global study material will allow Indian academic institutions to reduce regional disparities in education. This will ensure that no matter where one lives, he/she will have access to thousands of academic resources. Speakers from all the parts of the world should also be encouraged to present their views and the resulting exchange of ideas will expose students to global issues.
By updating the educational norms regularly, we can add new advances into our syllabi. We need a flexible syllabus that allows students to choose from a diverse list of subjects, including global and regional languages, arts, cultural studies, and so on.
To create a sustainable environment, it is imperative to promote a healthy teacher-student relationship. Students need teachers who are able to understand them and be on a par with their academic objectives. Teacher training programmes for upskilling and upgradation will be a tremendous help in this context.
Career
How curiosity will help you stand out in your career
Excerpts from article by Joan Mbabazi, published in The New Times
Persons that long for knowledge and are eager to learn everything important everything there is to know in their profession are driven by curiosity. Here are ways curiosity will get you ahead in the game:
1. It shows enthusiasm to learn
Joseline Tona, a business manager in Kigali, says that showing keenness to learn is an indication that someone is serious about their career. This, however, can be possible through research, attending professional seminars, and having the ability to ask in case they need more light on something.
2. Provides opportunity to try out something new
“The world is looking for people that bring something new and unique that can assist the company in evolving. A day spent without anything new learned is as good as a wasted one,” Tona says.
3. Helps you stay informed
Tona also says that one should continue to gain new information and advance in awareness of a diversity of topics.
“For example, be informed on the latest news and trends as this allows you to engage in conversations and widen working connections. No one wants to work with someone who is not informed,” she says.
4. Helps establish new ways to test yourself
Tona adds that challenging oneself can push you further, as it is a means to discover strengths and weaknesses concerning character, work, and so forth.
She notes that this assists in discovering abilities and potential, and also contributes to identifying personal and professional goals, establishing priorities, motivation and expanding the mind.
5. Why is curiosity a key feature for employees?
Curiosity creates problem-solvers. According to Harvard Business Review, people with higher cultural intelligence are more tolerant of ambiguity. ‘The unknown’ does not frighten them. Therefore, they are not alarmed when faced with a problem or unsolved issue.
6. Such have the desire for answers
If a curious person comes across a problem, it brings up multiple questions, such as; “What caused the problem?” and “How can I fix it?” A position that involves intense problem-solving.
7. Curiosity generates happiness among employees
Putting curiosity at the core of an organisation helps boost employees’ well-being. Research shows that 85 per cent in “curious” companies said they were happy at work compared to just 45 per cent in the ‘non-curious’ organisations.
8. Curiosity supports employee learning and development
Research shows that being curious improves one’s ability to learn and retain information. A sense of intrigue primes the brain for learning because it signals that something important is about to happen — something worth remembering.
9. Curiosity improves innovation
“Our minds are taken in a completely different, creative direction by asking a few random questions. We ought to hearten the opportunities for creative thought and expression within the workforce, to keep invention levels high,” Tona says.
10. It assists in the growth of the mind-set
Curiosity has been linked to growth-oriented behaviours, such as, overcoming obstacles, achieving goals, and choosing activities that offer and develop skills.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
Like this post? For more such helpful articles, click on the button below and subscribe FREE to our blog.
Download our mobile app, ICS Career GPS, a one-stop career guidance platform.
