I recently had the chance to visit my alma mater, Byramjee Jeejeeboy Medical College, better known as BJ Medical College—one of the top medical colleges in the country. I spent nearly a decade studying there to earn my MBBS degree, followed by an MD in obstetrics and gynaecology, all within the same institution and at Sassoon Hospital.
When I visited BJ Medical College again, this time with my nephew Aamod for his MS Orthopaedics admission, I couldn’t help but wonder what it is about a college or a university that makes it an institution of choice? Aamod had the option to pursue his Masters at several prestigious institutions, but he chose to wait for an offer from BJ Medical College. What is it about this college that draws students in, something other colleges might not offer? And more broadly, what is it about certain universities, both in India and abroad, that students’ value and keep returning to? The curriculum of any programme whether it’s a MBBS, MBA, or B Com programme , is fairly similar across institutions—so why do some colleges/ Universities become more desirable than others?
As an educationist, I often think about the education system in India which is one of the world’s largest system with over a thousand universities and fifty thousand colleges in India. Why aren’t they all of the same standard and quality? Beyond infrastructure, campus and curriculum, I feel the main and the key differentiator for a university is its teachers. Teachers play the most important role in shaping the image of a school or a college or a University and they significantly influence students’ choices when selecting an institution. Even with identical curriculums, the way teachers deliver lessons, the content they cover, the pedagogy that they use and the experience and knowledge they bring to the classroom are crucial.
Take medical education, for instance—whether it’s undergraduate or postgraduate. The quality of education depends largely on the teachers, and of course, the patients. The more patients a student encounters, and the more diverse the cases, the better prepared they’ll be as doctors. But the way teachers approach clinical cases is just as vital. I’ll never forget the time during my MD in obstetrics and gynaecology, when Dr. Sarita Mehendere, one of BJ Medical College’s most popular and respected teachers, made a lasting impression on me. During my third year, when I was deciding which postgraduate specialty to pursue, Dr. Mehendale madam’s bedside clinics were an eye-opening experience. She would use simple examples, like a baby doll, to illustrate complex concepts such as normal labour. Her teaching style was so engaging and hands-on that it left a lasting imprint on my mind. Later, during my MD at Sassoon Hospital, I saw first-hand how crucial it was to have excellent teaching—whether dealing with routine or complicated cases in the labour room.
Likewise, my father Dr Mujumdar who was a teacher of Botany was one of the most popular teachers in Fergusson college. Apparently, students from other colleges in Pune would come and attend his classes. Even today his students come to meet him to pay their respects.
Similarly, at Symbiosis, I’ve observed that some programs are particularly popular, and the driving force behind this popularity is often the quality of the teachers. The teaching methods stand out—using tools like gamification, field trips, and interactive assessments. These approaches help students learn in ways that go beyond what’s covered in the classroom. These programs offer more than just academic knowledge; they push students to think creatively and critically. Unfortunately, in India, teaching as a profession doesn’t always receive the respect it deserves. I hope that more young people who are passionate about education consider teaching as a career, enriching the educational landscape of the country.