Case Studies
Design Thinking: Empowering Students to Leave a Footprint Beyond the Classroom
A Summary of the Presentation by Dr. Saikat Maitra during the First National Conclave on Design Thinking (March 27, 2024)
Education is almost unanimously accepted the world over as an enabler of life – and not mere livelihood. However, the transformation that a student undergoes during his/her education life from Primary to University is often a stressful and complex one, but often ends in a deep transformation that affects not only the student but also a larger community beyond. It would not be an understatement to say that the transformative process of education molds the destiny of the nation.
To truly achieve this, a sense of freedom and empowerment is essential. Dr. Saikat Maitra, a Faculty member at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta, delivered a thought-provoking presentation at the ‘First National Conclave on Design Thinking for Academic Leaders’. He emphasized the importance of empowering students to leave a footprint beyond the classroom and highlighted the role of Design Thinking in achieving this goal.
Breaking Down Silos and Embracing Impact
Dr. Saikat Maitra pointed out that students, even at elite institutions, often get caught up in disciplinary silos and focus primarily on securing predictable job opportunities. He argued that management education, combined with powerful tools such as Design Thinking, can help students break out of these silos and make a real-world impact.
Skills and Education: A Nuanced Integration
Dr. Maitra, who teaches a full-fledged course on skill training at IIM Calcutta, acknowledged the ongoing debate about the relationship between skills and education. He believes that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provides a timely and nuanced pathway for integrating vocational education with formal education, breaking down the traditional hierarchy that placed vocational training below formal degrees.
Design Thinking for Social Outreach
Dr. Maitra emphasized the need for institutions to think beyond policy and actively implement the integration of skills and education. He sees Design Thinking as a powerful tool for achieving this, particularly in facilitating social outreach and connecting classroom learning with real-world problems.
Collaboration for Impactful Change
Sharing his experience of collaborating with the School of Design Thinking on a course about skill training and public policy, Dr. Maitra highlighted the importance of alignment and teamwork in creating impactful change. He expressed his delight at seeing students engage with real-world challenges faced by communities, realizing the broader applications of management techniques and approaches like Design Thinking.
Redesigning Curriculums for Sustainability and Gender Development
Dr. Maitra also discussed his ongoing collaboration with Dr. Anbu Rathinavel on developing a unique course at IIM Calcutta that focuses on sustainability and gender development. This course aims to integrate key aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a focus on gender issues in India. He believes this will be a game-changer in terms of extending the impact of management education beyond the classroom.
The Gift of a Curious and Problem-Solving Mindset
Dr. Maitra concluded by emphasizing the importance of not just imparting knowledge and skills but also cultivating the right mindset in students. He believes that equipping students with a curious and problem-solving mindset is one of the most valuable gifts that academic leaders can offer, preparing them to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
Conclusion
Dr. Saikat Maitra’s presentation provided a compelling argument for the transformative potential of Design Thinking in empowering students to create a positive impact on society. He highlighted the need for collaboration, curriculum redesign, and a focus on building a problem-solving mindset in future generations.
About the First National Conclave on Design Thinking
The School of Design Thinking and Intellect Design Arena hosted the First National Conclave on Design Thinking on March 27, 2024. The conclave provided a platform for participants (Vice Chancellors, Directors and Deans) from across Universities to come together and understand the different perspectives of the academic world on Design Thinking and its application. The event was graced by Prof. (Dr.)T G Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, as the Chief Guest.
The key highlight of the event was the launch of the ‘Academia Nxt’ partnership program – a dedicated program for universities and colleges to help shift the mental model of students and faculties – leading to learning excellence and talent development. The partnership provides the higher education institutions an avenue to create a culture of Design Thinking in the campus through various contextual and composable initiatives.
For more details write to info@d-thinking.com or call +91 96000 05429.