Foreword

Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.

Kofi Annan

Knowledge is an entity learned from education, experience and also interaction. It is something that everyone has and use constantly. Some personalities have more knowledge in specific areas than others that is what defines them as an expert. Further learning is the process of adding new information, facts, and skills to human mind and improving upon our current set of skills.

The acquisition of new information forms a path for students and all humansto follow in order for them to be as happy and content as they possibly can. Without the right information that one can use moving forward one might end up with hardships, bad decisions etc., and several other circumstances that arenot very favourable. By having the right information available one can make better choices that will produce an outcome which is much more favourable.

THE OXFORD CONNECTION is a new knowledge perspective of Devgad College and it is aimed to interact with the various academic and co-academic excellence actively contributing in the various genres of knowledge and information. The motive behind the lecture series was also to introduce the students, faculty and other stakeholders of the institute how academic knowledge can be transferred into practice for the social and national welfare as well as for career development. Moreover, it was also intended to create quest for intellectual growth and self-improvement among students and faculty together. Dignitaries from Oxford Business Alumni Network delivered lectures followed by live interactions with the participants inclusive of students, faculty and selected invitees from the stakeholders of the college. Students, faculty and invitees of the college gave quite enthusiastic and overwhelming response to the experts and shared their view without any hesitations. The conversations were quite multidimensional and resourceful for the students and faculty as well.

Eight sessions of the lectures were organized for the students and faculty from various streams and some sessions were also inclusive of various experiments of practical (Yoga), question-answer and instant feedback. The themes of the lecture series comprise various aspects of human knowledge: from mental health to macroeconomics and environment to public administration.

College provided the rostrum of knowledge, skills and information with the lectures of the experts and interaction to the stakeholders through Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the college. Simultaneously the learning process was also focused during the lecture series.

Every constituent of the college contributed actively in this academic cavalcade. We are thankful to the Governing Council of ShikshanVikasMandal, faculty members of the college both senior and junior wing, administrative staff, students and invitees for their inestimable contribution in the accomplishment of the event. The college is also appreciative to the Expert Committee Chairperson Advocate AmitJamsandekar who actually generated the concept of The Oxford Connection. We are also thankful to Ms. MaithileeJamsandekar, Member, Expert Committee who supported us by arranging the experts and themes of the lectures. The college is also obliged to Oxford Business Alumni Network for their support. We pray to continue this scholarly connection forever with a promise to recapitulate such events in future.

Dr. Mahendra Kamat

Coordinator, IQAC

Dr. GurudevParulekar

Principal

Devgad

October 07, 2016

The Oxford Connection: Lecture Series

Day, Date, Time	Theme	Expert
Saturday, October 01,2016 09.00-10.15 a.m.	Mathematics in International Business and Finance	Mr. Amardeep Sharma
	Environmental Sustainability and Agriculture	Ms. Ruchi Jain
	Entrepreneurship and Starting a New Business	Ms. PriyankaKhanna
Saturday, October 01,2016 10.30-11.45 a.m.	Mental Health	Ms. AksharaMotani
	Yoga Therapy	Ms. Amarjeet Sharma
	Financial Macroeconomics	Mr. GautamMandhian
	Confluence of Character Traits We Shall Be Governed No Better than We Deserve: A Dialogue On Democracy	Mr. VikasBalia
	Business Communication	Ms. MaithileeJamsandekar

Lecture I

Theme: Mathematics in International Business and Finance

Expert: Mr. Amardeep Sharma

Synopsis of the Lecture:

Lecture was focus on the significance of Mathematics in human life from various dimensions.

The benefits of Mathematics in human life were illustrated. Mathematics is not a subject but it is an essential part of the life.
Mathematics is supplementary to the psychological development of human being as it develops logical human mind.

Vedic Mathematics is one of traditional branch of mathematics and gift of India to the world.

Mathematics is the base of finance and Economics.
Significance of Mathematics in Accounting, Valuation and debit.
Mathematics is also a significant part of daily routine life of common man.

Agriculture, trade, banking, computer and even biology cannot be meaningful if mathematics is removed from them.
Human Thinking Process is mathematical and language learning can be helped with mathematics.

To learn any language it is necessary to begin thinking process in that language. You can become master of the language you think.

Lecture II

Theme: Environmental Sustainability and Agriculture

Expert: Ms. Ruchi Jain

Synopsis of the Lecture:

The session was inclusive of lecture and activities.

Clap Game: The beginning of the lecture was with the game that made students and participants to act entire and alert.
Climate Change: Various influences on climate were discussed.

Traditional water management scheme in India and its environmental friendly nature was focused. Appeal for the college students to work for the water management and water conservation.

Methods of water management and water conservation were discussed.
Measures to improve the economic and mental health of Indian farmers should be taken and it is possible with environmental sustainability.
Message: Be local, eat local and live local will help to improve the situation.

Activities for Students: Payment of ecosystem services that will add to their knowledge and experience.
Motivation for the students to begin a local business based on local material available.

Group discussions were invited in the conclusion of the lecture and suggestions taken from the participants on the conservation and agriculture.

Lecture III

Theme: Entrepreneurship and Starting a New Business

Expert: Ms.PriyankaKhanna

Synopsis of the Lecture:

Session was quite interactive and expert emphasized on the problems and discussed possible remedies on the problems with the participants.

Process of finding problems of society which may end up with solution within it:
Problem Identification
Possible solution
Will to pay the price of solution by concerned person.

Evaluation of problem:
Is this a big problem? : Size of the problem
Is there any feasible solution?
Is it possible to earn revenue through the proposed project?
How the project can be made successful? The ways of success.

Presentation of solution by the students: Students were give problems and they were asked to find possible solutions. Students studied the problems and tried to find solutions.

Basic qualities required for Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneur were discussed.

Lecture IV

Theme: Mental Health

Expert: Ms.AksharaMotani

Synopsis of the Lecture:

Expert focused on the habits and mental health.

Habit is either an outcome or symptom of mental health of women and men.
Habits are formed after repetitions. 3Rs: Reminder, Routine and Reward

Routine becomes habit after the repetition of the same act for minimum 66 days.

To create good and proper habit creation of self-image is necessary.
Conversion of small (good) things into big is necessary for good mental health.
Necessary elements: Small count and great achievement, consistency and patience.

Keystone habits: The habits that affect entire human life.
Breaking habits: Choice substitutes.

Procrastination: Causes and indicators of procrastination:External and internal manage, conduct, and control the self is the requirement.
Overcoming procrastination is possible by self-assurance and perfectionism.
Introspect self-mistakes and solve remove them by making smaller tasks.

Lecture V

Theme: Yoga Therapy

Expert: Ms.Amarjeet Sharma

Synopsis of the Lecture:

Expert illustrated mainly the connection between yoga and meditation and thereby yoga as therapy. The lecture can be summarized with the following points:

Yoga connects body, breathe and mind simultaneously.
Semantics of meditation: To focus that is complete. Awareness means thinking only about the present of the self.

Yoga is contributing to the physical and mental health as well.

Accurate and proper knowledge of yoga is necessary. Incomplete and incorrect knowledge can cause ill effects on body and mind together.
Yoga is a door to job opportunities on national and global level: Such as fitness trainer, yoga instructor and mediator.
Students and participants were given information about various courses in Yoga. Courses include Diploma, Degree and specialization.

Courses are available on national and international level.

Lecture VI

Theme: Financial Macroeconomics

Expert: Mr. GautamMandhian

Synopsis of the Lecture:

The lecture was interactive and expert focused on the difference between wealth and money. He emphasized on:

Significance of money in the modern human life.
Fractional reserve banking refers to an amount of money from deposit kept in RBI in the form of CRR.

Money is a production. It is produced from the given remaining amount of deposit given by the banks as a loan.

Productivity of people and money are correlated with each other
The basis of productivity is continuous technological up-gradation.
Higher quantity of loan can generate waste money.

Lecture VII

Theme: Confluence of Character TraitsWe Shall Be Governed No Better than We Deserve: A Dialogue On Democracy

Expert: Mr.VikasBalia

Synopsis of the Lecture:

Lecture was a focus on the purpose of language and community.

What is democracy? What do we mean by democracy and different types of values.

Characteristics of Democracy:

Reasoning disputes by democracy.
Sportsmanship spirit.

Different approaches: Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.

Character Traits:

Intelligence and wisdom
Advantage and failure

Curiosity and perception

Preparedness and patience
Generosity and solution

Focus on collective wisdom. Principle of demo:

Interaction session was quite resourceful.

Discussion was conducted on the social violence, individual violence, and moral violence.

Necessity and applicability of reservation policy: Opinions expressed.

Discussion on current political and social situation was the part of the session.

Lecture VIII

Theme: Business Communication

Expert: Ms. MaithileeJamsandekar

Synopsis of the Lecture:

Communication and Business Communication and its importance was emphasized in the lecture.

What is meant by communication
Definition of Business Communication

Difference between Communication and Business Communication.

Different ways of communication.
Skill of writing business letters.
E mail: Content of e mail.

Dos and Don’ts of Business Communication
Interaction with the students was quite resourceful.

Response Analysis:

Theme	Expert	Response %
Theme	Expert	E	G	S	F	U
Mathematics in International Business and Finance	Mr. Amardeep Sharma	50	45	05	—	—
Environmental Sustainability and Agriculture	Ms. Ruchi Jain	92	08	==	==	==
Entrepreneurship and Starting a New Business	Ms. PriyankaKhanna	80	15	05	—	—
Mental Health	Ms. AksharaMotani	50	40	10	—	—
Yoga Therapy	Ms. Amarjeet Sharma	74	26	—	—	—
Financial Macroeconomics	Mr. GautamMandhian	78	22	—	—	—
Confluence of Character Traits We Shall Be Governed No Better than We Deserve: A Dialogue On Democracy	Mr. VikasBalia	89	11	—	—	—
Business Communication	Ms. MaithileeJamsandekar	86	14	—	—	—

E: Excellent, G: Good, S: Satisfactory, F: Fair, U: Unsatisfactory

Applause: Best Elements of the Lecture Series

(Participant Feedback Observation)

Participants, especially students gave overwhelming response to the experts. They spoke through the response sheets provided to them.

Best element of the lecture series was interaction conducted during the lectures. Every interaction was quite resourceful and guiding.
Innovative approach of the experts fascinated students. Lectures were not delivered in conventional method but they were interactive and full of various activities.

Students experienced the encouragement to the creativity of individual.

Visions, idea and concepts of the experts were crystal clear.
Simplification and illustrative method of the experts haunted the students to take more interest in the concerned discipline. Students found subject more interesting than earlier.
Practical was a significant part of the lecture.

Discipline in the organization of activity impressed the invitees of the series.

Applause: Appreciation to College by Experts (Feedback Observation)

Experts gathered positive impressions about the college.

Faculty is rich with the ideas and willingness for change and innovation for the benefit of students.
Mental strength of the students is sound. Acquisition level and social awareness of the students is appreciable.

Infrastructure and other facilities in the college are sufficient and qualitative.

Involvement and eagerness of students in learning process is genuine and encouraging.
Untapped potential and enthusiasm is strength of the college.
Cleanliness of the campus is notable.

Curiosity of the students to the new knowledge is notable.

Proposition: Notable Suggestions (Feedback Observation)

Use of technology should be promoted.
Introduction of new teaching methodology will be beneficial for the students and faculty.

Encouragement should be given to the students’ internship and project involvement.

Such sessions should be organized for one day or more like workshop in the college.
College should begin psychology as part of the curriculum.
College may thing to organize counseling sessions for student to build mentor network in order to keep students in touch with experts if they need psychiatric assistance.

Special sessions should be organized especially for the girl students on various topics related to fair sex.
College should connect itself with more academic, corporate and other institution for the betterment of the campus.