The Sharda School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Sharda University in Knowledge Park III, Greater Norda, India along with its Professors, Chairpersons and faculty members on Thursday, 26 December 2024 at 2:00pm organized a farewell program in honor of a visiting professor from the University of Liberia and Dean of the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities.
During the ceremony held at Sharda University Block 7 on the 8th floor of Sharda School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. (Dr.) Anviti Gupta, Professor of Psychology and Dean, Sharda School of Humanities and Social Sciences praised Dr. Gray for his remarkable contributions of new knowledge, research, faculty development and admitted the UL professor as a Faculty of the University. On behalf of the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Professors, chairpersons, Faculty and students of Sharda University, Dr. Gupta presented Certificate of Appreciation, Official letter of Professorship and further presented to Dr. Gray a Special gift on behalf of the Chancellor of the institution.
In his remarks, Dr. Gray said: I’ve been moved to express my gratitude to a distinguished Sharda University for the honor to connect with fellow professionals and students to share my knowledge, thoughts, insights and experiences with students at the school. I am incredibly fortunate to be accorded such a memorable opportunity to join the illustrious professors, and administrators. I am truly touched by the incredible support provided me and it is like being home.
Dr. Gray, on behalf of the Acting President of the University of Liberia, Prof. Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, UL Administration, academic team, faculty, staff and students of the ASC College and the University of Liberia presented special Certificate of Appreciation to Prof. (Dr.) Anviti Gupta. He also presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Coordinators of the Department of Political Science, Sharda School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Dr. Gray who joined the faculty of the Department of Political Sciences, Sharda School of Humanities and Social Sciences and served as a visiting professor for one academic semester from October 23-December 22, 2024 was lauded for his distinguished professorship.
” It was a privilege to teach a Master’s Degree course, Political Science MOP 177: Energy and Environment Relations and Geopolitics of Energy.”
Besides teaching, Dr. Gray was involved in research, delivering guest lectures, and interactions with brilliant students and esteemed professional colleagues, the busy course work and lectures ended on Monday, 22 December 2024. I’ m truly appreciative and thanks Dr. Conteh for believing in me to fulfill the mission entrusted to me to add value to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October between Sharda University and University of Liberia on October 6, 2022.
I am highly touched to hear from the students from Liberia attending Sharda University about the notable professional standards, strong commitment to academic quality and excellence in teaching, research, and service. The Liberian students described teaching and learning at Sharda University as “quality and professional”, and expressed appreciation for the method of teaching, students evaluation, and the positive atmosphere in the various classrooms. Truthfully, the tones of feedbacks from our students have been very positive, and explain how the faculty members really seem engaged with the material they’re teaching, and that makes it more exciting for them at Sharda University.
Furthermore, Dr. Gray said: I’m truly thrilled and deeply humbled to Dr. Ashok Daryani, President of International Relations of Sharda University for the opportunity accorded me to join the esteemed professors and faculty at Sharda University for one academic semester from October to December 2024. The trip is truly an amazing experience and has certainly opened my eyes even more to the benefits of having concrete ties with Sharda University.
My assigned master’s course: “Political Science MOP 177: Energy and Environment Relations and Geopolitics of Energy,” ran for ten weeks, three days a week and four hours a week, respectively. The students were given four research assignments on various global issues related to the course and defended the various assignments in class.
Besides the research assignments, they participated in three class exercises (quizzes), theory, practical and viva, excluding Midterm exams of ten essays based questions and seventieth essays based questions for the final exams. Predicated upon the Sharda University system, the midterm tests and final exams questions were independently prepared, administered and corrected by the University’s Exams Office, without my involvement. It also impossible for grades to be manipulated while students failing to obtain 70% of class attendance are not allowed to write their final exams.
My first day on the campus as a visiting professor was full of friendly faces offering help, advice, and greeting me with open arms at the Department of Political Science, School of Humanities and Sciences, Sharda University. So excited that I have already outlined my lectures for the two months, ordered my textbooks online and was given ideas for midterm exam questions, This is a unique experience and hope that UL in the future would be well considered in offering other professional colleagues from other colleges similar opportunity to undertake such experience in India.
I figured out that the quality of teaching and learning at Sharda University is based on high standard, style, basic behavior, communication skills and interaction with the students. I have also realized that besides the regular teaching, professor’s role goes beyond the classroom, but highly considered research. Without peer-reviewed publication, no faculty gets promoted. Therefore, being at the Sharda School of Humanities and Social Sciences is an amazing experience.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gupta has reiterated the Chancellor and the Administration of the Sharda University commitment to send three professors from the Sharda University to University of Liberia in March 2025 for one- month to contribute to quality teaching, research, academic seminars, trainings and to help establish a Department of Psychology and a joint publication of a per reviewed journal.
Therefore, Dr. Gupta is appealing to the Acting President of UL Dr. Conteh to please welcome the gesture from Sharza University and extend invitation to the institution to send three-five profeasors to Liberia to join the faculty at UL.
The fruitful academic ties between UL and SU provide unique and life touching opportunity. This opportunity guarantee attractive and concrete academic benefits including exchange of faculty and sabbaticals, exchange of Ph.D. scholars, provision of scholarships for postgraduate and undergraduate students, dual degree programs, credit transfer programs, short- and long-term customized courses, joint collaborative research projects and publication of a joint peer-reviewed research journal.
