Rishihood University: Interview with Anju Jayraj (Director - Admissions & Marketing)

Rishihood University is a State Private University in Sonipat, founded in the year 2020, under the Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Act. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate level courses in streams like Design, Arts, Management and Science. Few of the courses provided at Rishihood university are as follows: B.Des, Master of Design (M.Des), Bachelor of Visual Arts, B.Com (Hons), MA, BBA, MBA, MBA (Entrepreneurship), Bachelor of Science and other Executive-level programmes. Rishihood University offers scholarships to eligible and deserving students based on merit.

Careers360 brings you an interview with Anju Jayraj, Director - Admissions & Marketing Rishihood University. Anju Jayraj has over fourteen years of experience in the education sector where she did communication, branding, career counselling, international education consulting and startup consulting. In her interview, Anju shared various details about Rishihood University’s vision, mission, courses, admission process, internships, placements, facilities, etc. To know more about Rishihood University go through the complete interview of Anju Jayraj with Careers360.

Careers360: Tell us something about Rishihood University – its inception and journey so far.

Anju Jayraj: Rishihood University is India's first impact university. Our founders started an initiative called Vision India Foundation which went ahead and trained 2500-3000 students from diverse backgrounds who wanted to do something in the public leadership domain and started engaging with us through various short-term programmes. It started with the Vision India Foundation which culminated in Rishihood University being founded in 2020. Creating impact is at the core of everything we do at Rishihood. The vision of Rishihood University is to focus on the areas like Entrepreneurship, Creativity, Healthcare, Education and Public Leadership. Rishihood university courses have been created under these five areas; that's how we started and we are looking for creative individuals who believe in our vision. The university has a 100-year vision and that is how we wish to move ahead.

Careers360: What are the different programmes offered at UG and PG levels?

Anju Jayraj: The university offers UG and PG-level programmes. At the School of Creativity B.Des and M.Des programmes are offered, while School of Education offers Bachelor in Psychology. The School of Healthcare offers programmes within the healthcare domain but these are focused on public health and hospital administration. School of Public Leadership offers Bachelor of Economics (Hons) and 1 year PG Diploma in Public Leadership. At the School of Entrepreneurship the idea is to focus on setting out entrepreneurial thinking. This school delivers courses like BBA, B.Com (Hons) and MBA.

As a part of Rishihood University vision at the UG level, three areas are focused upon more. They are:

• Vichar Nirman - Construction of thought

• Vyakti Nirman - Character formation

• Vyavastha Nirman - Bringing in systemic change in the society

So all the courses delivered at Rishihood are keeping in mind these three components.

At the UG level students have a common foundation semester irrespective of the programme they have enrolled for. This common semester which covers various aspects so that students understand the larger problems is known as Rishihood University Essentials program. At Rishihood we want students to focus on three areas:

• Crurosity

• Courage

• Happiness

Hence, every aspect of Rishihood University Essentials program is developed to ensure that students have exposure in all the above mentioned areas. After the conclusion of the 1st semester students also get a peek into other Rishihood University Courses as well.

Careers360: Can you describe the admission process at Rishihood University?

Anju Jayraj: Across all of the nine programmes, Rishihood university is only looking for 200 students to join. These students have to be curious and open to explore new things. Rishihood university admission process requires students to go through an online application form, covering their academic and extracurricular achievements. It also has a Statement of Purpose (SOP) section which carries a good percentage of weightage during the selection process. The university conducts its own aptitude exam RSAT. The RSAT entrance is conducted for admission for both UG and PG programmes. Once done with the RSAT exam there is an interview round with the management and faculty panel. Students are evaluated on multiple parameters and then given the offer letter. At the university we have the Rishihood University Catalyst program which is available to all applicants. As a part of this program applicants has to go through mandatory 6 to 10 counselling sessions which touch base with various aspects i.e. it helps applicants with the Rishihood admission process, from the entrance exam to helping them with SOPs.

Careers360: What is the eligibility criteria for admission to Rishihood University UG and PG programmes?

Anju Jayraj: For admission to UG programmes applicants require minimum 50% marks in 12th. Students awaiting their class 12th are also eligible to apply based on their past academic record (class 10th and 12th), extracurricular activities, SOP, performance in RSAT and the interview. On the basis of these parameters students will be shortlisted for admission which is provisional till the time they submit their class 12th marksheet securing a minimum aggregate of 50% marks.

For admission to PG programmes applicants require minimum 50% marks in Graduation. If the candidate is a final year undergrad student applying for the MBA programme at Rishihood University should ensure that their overall average marks are more than 50% when they come in for the admission process and submit their documents.

Careers360: How does the university help students overcome regional language barriers?

Anju Jayraj: Currently at Rishihood has students from various states and countries, pursuing either UG or PG programmes at the university. We do understand the disparity they might have in terms of language barriers. So to overcome the language barrier issue, the 1st semester which is the Rishihood University Essential program has a dedicated programme on academic writing where students can overcome such issues. Apart from this there are a lot of mentors on campus who can help students overcome any issues that they might be facing or face throughout their course duration.

Careers360: Can you give details on the scholarships and financial aid provided to students?

Anju Jayraj: Rishihood university scholarships are offered in multiple areas. During the admission process every applicant is automatically evaluated for a merit scholarship, which ranges from 10% to 100% of the tuition fee which is irrespective of your background. Apart from this evaluation is also done based on profiles like someone with national-level sports achievement and There are diversity scholarships which are permanently for women applicants. If a student hasn't received a merit scholarship but if they want financial aid they can write to the university for a diversity scholarship or for financial aid, most scholarships under financial aid are in the area of 70-100% on the tuition fee. If the students need any help with hostel accommodation or likewise then we try and see what avenues in which they could work through.

There are plenty of opportunities in terms of scholarship support systems. Applicants are automatically going to be evaluated for a merit scholarship and the counsellor are always in touch with every candidate to guide them through the application process. The more it is merit-based the better. Either way the students are required to maintain a certain CGPA for the continuation of their scholarship. However, beyond the merit scholarship, or scholarship based on profiles if you think you require financial aid and you’re shortlisted but you’re not given the scholarship, in such cases we encourage students to write to us.

Careers360: With rapidly evolving technological advancements and a changing digital world, how does Rishihood University ensure that the curriculum is at par with industry needs and standards?

Anju Jayraj: Programmes at Rishihood are Indian, global, and at the same time futuristic too. The education at Rishihood is very multidisciplinary, there is a lot of integration of technology that we have within various programmes. We have a cognitive learning lab on campus, where we use technology like VR, Augmented Reality, AI, IoT etc which are parked across various disciplines. Students from various other faculties use this technology to develop products. Technology is something very natural to the students here, that part is very integral to the entire university and that is how we go ahead and map it in our curriculum.

Careers360: At the end of the semester if a student comes to know that his/ her interest lies in some other field. What is the process to switch programmes?

Anju Jayraj: At the end of the semester students are asked the majors they would like to pursue. By the end of the semester they do have the choice, should you shift to another programme then you can let the office of the academic affairs know. They can talk to their mentors and then take that decision. The only restriction is for someone from a non-health care programme who wishes to shift to the healthcare courses. For public health specialization we can take in students from science backgrounds, not necessarily Biology students but Physics, Chemistry as compulsory subjects. Even for hospital administration, Humanity, or other discipline students can shift into healthcare courses. This guidance is given to them throughout the semester in terms of passion and area of interest. The flexibility to go ahead and craft your own curriculum is there with the students and they’re amply helped by the mentors we have.

Careers360: For most students, placements are always a matter of concern as well as importance. What can they expect from the university on this front?

Anju Jayraj: Career Advancement Cell at the campus works with the students across programmes for placement opportunities. At the undergrad level there is a mandatory internship students need to do at the end of every year, at the end of first-year they might have community internship and by the second year they might have an industry internship so on and so forth.

There are multiple guest lectures and multiple exposure with the corporate world arranged for the students through the Career Advancement Cell. Interaction with business leaders are also arranged for the students. The university is backed by some well-known leaders from various industries. Students get dedicated sessions in terms of interview preparation, business etiquettes, etc. We impart lifelong learning to them so that later whenever there is a need to upskill they would have that quality and education foundation. Such a support system is provided by the Rishihood University placement cell.

Disclaimer: This content was distributed by Rishihood University Sonipat and has been published as part of Careers360’s marketing initiative.

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