Know Your Faculty: ‘Observe your surroundings & learn new things’

She has been teaching at Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA) for the last 26 years; she joined this prestigious institute on July 7, 1997. Her areas of specialisation include Micro and Development Economics, Statistical Methods, and Research Methodology. Today, she is an Associate Professor and Head, Department of Economics at ACFA in Jalandhar. Meet Dr Supreet Talwar.

“I belong to a family where business is not taught, rather one grows with it. I always found solace in the company of books. I used to read textbooks and general books. When choosing my subjects for under graduation, Economics was an obvious choice. I pursued my master’s in Economics just out of my love for this subject. My alma mater offered me a job as I was a university topper, even when the result of my final exams was not out yet. I joined out of curiosity and realised here lies a career for me that is self-made,” Talwar said.

Excerpts from the interview.

How important do you think is institute building for an educator, particularly in a value-based brand like Apeejay?

An educator nurtures the lives of his/her pupils and is the soul of an institute. The role is much more than that of a teacher. He/she counsels, motivates, encourages, and uplifts the confidence of his students and thus plays a pivotal role in institute building.

The vision and mission of ACFA is to impart quality education to all its students so that they not only become global leaders but also better human beings, with personalities imbibed with human and moral values. Dr Stya Paulji always emphasised moral values among the young generation because inculcating human values is more important than generating physical assets. Apeejay Education Svran Group is a name synonym for excellence in education and career building. ACFA has always lived up to the vision and mission of Dr Stya Paulji. ACFA has always felt the pulse of its stakeholders and has been a pioneer in its field.

Why did you choose a specialisation in Micro and Development Economics, Statistical Methods, and Research Methodology?

Economics teaches us how to use our scarce resources in the best possible manner to fulfill our unlimited requirements. Specialisation in Micro and Development Economics, Statistical Methods, and Research Methodology widens the horizon and enables one to apply one’s knowledge to seek solutions to practical problems. The present era is the age of the digital world. Skilled professionals are required to the knowledge of big data and machine learning. These are trained to apply statistical methods using various research methodologies which are further used in the process of decision making whether it is regarding production, marketing, cost minimisation, and profit maximisation. These specialisations led me to do my research in the field of industrial economics and I was conferred with a Ph.D. Degree in Economics from Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Can you share any memorable or inspiring experiences?

With 26 years of teaching, there are bound to be numerous memorable moments and learning experiences. I remember an incident when I went to Delhi in 2003 to attend an international conference. At the end of the first session, the chairperson asked the participants to give an overview. I volunteered and spoke for around five minutes. During the lunch session, the chairperson approached me and offered me a seat in PhD programme under his supervision. Though I couldn’t take the opportunity, it was a learning experience.

There is one more. In 2015-16, a girl came to our college for admission along with her mother. The mother introduced herself as one of my old students and shared that she named her daughter after my name. I was spellbound and in tears. To date, this incident has been a driving factor for me to have a positive and constructive impact on my students.

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The subject of Economics is highly dynamic. The basic requirement is not theoretical but practical knowledge of the subject. This subject is very much in demand in various fields like banks, production houses, government and private sectors

–Dr Supreet Talwar, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Economics at
Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar

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Any scholarly work that has been published?

I have published 12 research papers in national and international journals, one book, articles in a few edited books, and made presentations at various national/international seminars/conferences. I am on the peer review committee of Research Journal Horizons, published by MCMDAV College for Women, Chandigarh. I completed one UGC-sponsored Minor Research Project with a grant of Rs 1.10 lakh in 2014. One of the research papers titled, Technical Efficiency in Indian Leather Industry was published in the prestigious journal Panjab University Research Journal Arts of Panjab University, Chandigarh in 2020.

I have recently presented a research article titled, Cost Efficiency in Indian Leather Industry during a national seminar organised by the Department of Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh. I am in the process of writing more research articles which will be published and presented in various forthcoming seminars/conferences.

Also read: Know Your Faculty: ‘Being a teacher is my destiny’

What have been your achievements at ACFA?

ACFA has provided me with several opportunities to explore and enhance my knowledge as well as potential. Besides, teaching, I have been involved in various academic and administrative committees from a very early stage. I have been Dean-Student Welfare Association for three years, Dean-Functions for six years, and Dean-Examinations for three years through all these years at different periods.

I have been Dean of Admissions for the last four years, besides Dean-Social Media College Website, Member Advisory Council, Member of IQAC, Member PTM Committee, and Member Staff Grievance Redressal Committee, to name a few. I have been representing ACFA in Local Administration Jalandhar in the capacity of Assistant Registrar for the last many years. I am the Nodal Officer of the college to the Punjab Government in the recently introduced system of online admission registration on the Punjab Government portal.

I was the first from the college to organise the first and only one to organise two UGC-sponsored National Seminars at ACFA. I am the only faculty member to attend a seven-day workshop at Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Intellectual Property Management in Nagpur in February 2020.

What are some career prospects in Economics?

The subject of Economics is highly dynamic. The basic requirement is not theoretical but practical knowledge of the subject. This subject is very much in demand in various fields like banks, production houses, government and private sectors. A student must have the proper skill sets to pursue a career as an Economic Analyst and Data Analyst. A student with graduation in Economics has high prospects of clearing various competitive exams like CAT, IAS, IES, etc. They can pursue a career in the field of education as Economics is a Social Science subject and has high demand in schools, colleges, and universities.

What advice would you give to the students?

I am a student of Economics so I always advise my students to observe their surroundings and environment and always keep themselves open to learn new things. I appreciate my students when they commit mistakes. It proves that they tried. One of my repetitive statements is that the more you practice in the classrooms the fewer mistakes will be made in the exam hall. Though internships are not part of the syllabus of Economics, I always encourage my students to do part-time jobs or internships besides studying to experience economic independence and understand the value of money.