Interview with Dr. Shivendra Singh
Dr. Shivendra Singh
Assistant Professor (Chemistry), School of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Mody University of Science & Technology, Laxmangarh (Raj.)
Bentham Ambassador in India
Q1. Please share your educational and professional journey with us?
I have earned my Bachelor of Science degree from University of Lucknow & then completed my Master of Science degree in industrial chemistry specialization from Jiwaji University Gwalior. Through my post-graduation, I realize that clearing UGC-NET-JRF exam may provide additional benefits for my career and I was planning to clear the exam. When I was in the last semester, campus placement began and I was among the students who got the opportunity to work with a pharmaceutical company.
The job location was Baddi (H.P.) and it was an exciting experience for me to start my career. I worked as an assistant analytical chemist in Affy Pharma Pvt Ltd for two months and I have decided to switch my job profile. During my last semester of MSc, I was able to clear UGC-NET-JRF and got an opportunity for PhD with Dr. Sampak Samanta, an assistant professor in the department of chemistry at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore. Later on, I have earned my PhD degree in 2017.
Currently I am working with Mody University of Science & Technology and I am very proud of it. The academic culture and the intent of students are fabulous and I believe it will help this university to make a global impact in the coming days. Prior joining Mody University, I served NIT Hamirpur, NIT Bhopal and Oriental University Indore.
Q2. What did attract you towards teaching instead of any corporate job?
First of all I believe it’s my interest to empower students through education. As a teacher, I believe that I can contribute significantly for the society as well. The second key factor I believe that I also want to learn chemistry and that can be achieved in a better way through teaching. In addition to this, I also like to interact with students and guide them for their career endeavor.
Q3. How do you excel students in their academics and career?
The only way is to teach them properly and provide all the necessary materials to understand the subject. The hands on experience are also crucial that can be achieved by proper demonstration through practical’s. In addition to this, I believe that proper guidance is also must. A lot of students are afraid to ask questions in the classroom that need to be handle by teachers. Apart from teaching, we also try to understand the temperament of students and suggest either joining industry or going for academics.
Q4. How do you see the new online study pattern comparing to traditional offline classes system?
I believe both methods have their positive and negative points. In the current era, online learning is also crucial since we can access a lot of platforms to clear our concepts. In offline mode, direct faculty and student interaction helps student in a better way.
Q5. What was your Thesis topic in Ph.D? Please share some brief about it?
The title of my thesis was “Development of Metal-free based one-pot synthetic protocol for the facile constructions of indole and coumarin based fused heterocycles”. It was centered on the development of new methodology to access indole and coumarin based fused heterocycles via one-pot approach. I was focused to study the development of new synthetic methods for the easy access to a series of biologically as well as synthetically challenging N, O and S-containing heterocyclic molecules, especially 5/6-membered fused indole/coumarin scaffolds. I am now able to handle the small and large-scale reactions, can execute multistep synthesis and can solve the complex structures of organic molecules independently.
Q6. How do you see Chemistry as a career option for students comparing to new streams like Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and many more?
Chemistry is about learning the nature of molecules and atoms that are present in every matter. The knowledge of chemistry is crucial for the survival of life. As a matter of fact the body is made of chemicals, all the drug molecules are composed of chemicals, all the electronic devices are composed of elements. If we know the nature of certain element, we can utilize that one for specific purpose. Therefore chemistry is and will be crucial for everyone.
As far as career is concerned, chemists are required for a lot of industries like agrochemicals, metallurgical, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics and polymers. A lot of possibility is there in terms of job profile like, academic researcher, geochemist, analytical chemist, chemical engineer, forensic scientist, nanotechnologists, pharmacologist, nuclear engineer, professor, scientists and many more.
Q7. How do you handle stress in this fast and competitive life?
Through extra-curricular activities like playing football or badminton or any other outdoors games. By doing so, the body will be healthy and it eliminates stress too.
Q8. Which one skill do you like most about yourself?
Punctuality is something that I like most about myself.
Read more about Dr. Shivendra Singh @
Webpage: https://sites.google.com/view/drshivendrasingh/home
Youtube: http://bit.ly/2NHfpbc
