Guidelines for Teaching Enhancement and Curriculum Development

Guidelines for Teaching Enhancement and Curriculum Development

Guidelines for Teaching Enhancement and Curriculum Development
Approved Board of Management on 12th January 2019
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2019-04 (i) dated 15th January 2019
Reviewed / Revised Board of Management on 29th March 2022
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2022-58 (i) dated 5th April 2022
Next Review 2025–26
  1. Short Title and Commencement
    1. Short Title: This document shall be known as the “Guidelines for Teaching Enhancement and Curriculum Development” of Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU).
    2. Commencement: The guidelines shall come into effect from the date of approval by the Board of Management (BOM) and shall be applicable henceforth.
  2. Definition
    1. Board of Studies (BoS): The statutory academic body responsible for academic governance, curriculum development, and quality assurance within each academic unit/department of SRHU.
    2. Teaching Enhancement: Activities and strategies aimed at improving the effectiveness of teaching practices including faculty development, innovative pedagogy, and assessment methods.
    3. Curriculum Development: The systematic design, review, and revision of academic curricula to ensure relevance, quality, and compliance with academic and professional standards.
    4. Curriculum Committee: A committee constituted under the BoS, responsible for curriculum-related decision-making including design, review, and quality assurance.
    5. Outcome-Based Education (OBE): An educational approach that focuses on achieving specific learning outcomes aligned with program goals and graduate attributes.
    6. NEP 2020: National Education Policy 2020 guiding contemporary education reforms in India.
  3. PreambleSwami Rama Himalayan University is committed to fostering academic excellence by continuously enhancing teaching quality and developing dynamic curricula. Recognizing the evolving needs of students, industries, and society, these guidelines ensure alignment with national education frameworks and the University’s vision.
  4. ApplicabilityThese guidelines apply to all academic units, departments and curriculum committees at Swami Rama Himalayan University. It encompasses all aspects related to teaching enhancement and curriculum design, review, and revision activities.
  5. Curriculum Committee Composition:
    Designation Role Responsibilities
    Dean / Principal / HOD Chairperson
    • Provide academic leadership and direction to the committee.
    • Preside over meetings and finalize agendas.
    • Ensure alignment of committee decisions with university policies, NEP 2020, and national frameworks.
    • Facilitate implementation of approved curriculum reforms.
    Heads of Departments / Professor / Associate Professor (2, on rotation, nominated by the Dean/Principal) Members
    • Represent departmental perspectives and requirements.
    • Present proposals for new/revised programs.
    • Ensure departmental compliance with approved curriculum changes.
    Senior Faculty (2) Members
    • Offer academic and disciplinary expertise in curriculum structuring.
    • Contribute to curriculum mapping with Bloom’s taxonomy and Program Outcomes.
    • Suggest pedagogy innovations and assessment reforms.
    • Support integration of skill-based and interdisciplinary components.
    One Student Representative (UG or PG) and One Alumni Member
    • Provide learner-centric feedback and insights from a student perspective.
    • Suggest improvements in academic load, flexibility, and electives.
    • Participate in discussions related to curriculum structure, not assessments or faculty evaluations.
    • Communicate fellow students’ concerns and feedback.
    Member Secretary (Nominated by Chairperson) Convener
    • Prepare and circulate agendas with approval from the Chairperson.
    • Record and maintain minutes of meetings.
  6. Teaching Enhancement Strategies
    1. Faculty Development:
      1. Organize regular workshops, seminars, and training on innovative teaching methodologies, educational technology, and assessment strategies.
      2. Encourage participation in external professional development like conferences and certification courses.
      3. Establish Teaching Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding faculty performance annually.
    2. Innovative Teaching Methods:
      1. Encourage active learning techniques such as group discussions, case studies, and problem-solving exercises.
      2. Promote blended and online learning, integrating video lectures, discussion forums, and interactive assessments to enhance engagement.
      3. Use diverse assessment methods (formative and summative) with timely constructive feedback.
    3. Use of Technology:
      1. Provide access to educational tools like simulation software, virtual labs, and e-libraries.
      2. Conduct regular training to help faculty integrate technology effectively.
  7. Curriculum Development Procedure
    1. Curriculum Design and Review:
      1. Establish Curriculum Committees in each academic department with multi-stakeholder representation.
      2. Conduct needs assessments to identify emerging trends and industry demands.
      3. Design curricula balancing theoretical knowledge and practical skills with an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, research, and critical thinking.
      4. Ensure curricula align with Outcome-Based Education (OBE) principles.
      5. Mapping Course Outcomes (COs) with Program Outcomes (POs) and Program Specific Outcomes (PSOs).
      6. Defining measurable CO attainment levels through direct (exams, assignments, projects) and indirect (feedback, surveys) assessment methods.
      7. Using attainment data to implement continuous improvement in teaching–learning processes.
      8. Review curriculum at least every three years with feedback from faculty, students, alumni, and industry partners.
      9. Align curriculum with NEP 2020 and regulatory requirements.
    2. Industry and Community Engagement:
      1. Collaborate with industry through guest lectures, internships, joint research, and curriculum co-design.
      2. Incorporate community needs to foster social responsibility and engagement.
    3. Student-Centered Curriculum:
      1. Define clear and measurable learning outcomes aligned with academic goals.
      2. Offer flexible learning pathways including electives, minors, and interdisciplinary programs.
      3. Integrate experiential learning opportunities such as internships, fieldwork, and research projects.
  8. DocumentationAll the activities related to teaching enhancement and curriculum review should be documented.
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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.