Learning Management In An Innovative Way

It was raining heavily in NITIE campus and we were inside our classroom for our first lecture of Principles Of Organisation and Management by Prof. T. Prasad (well known as “Prof. Mandi”). I knew about Prof. Mandi before coming to NITIE through web and friends studying in senior batch. So I was very happy when I came to know that he will be teaching to my section. I also can’t say that I was unaware about his innovative way of teaching. Still it surprised me…

Dr. Mandi with smile on face and dressed in most simplest way walked in the class. Instead of sitting on a chair he sat on the edge of podium stage and called us to sit on the floor near stage. Then he introduced himself and asked students to ask any questions related NITIE, POM or management in general.  Students started asking questions regarding Mandi event.

Mandi is one of the important events in NITIE which is a brainchild of Prof T. Prasad. Because of huge success of this event Prof T. Prasad is popularly called as Prof Mandi. When students asked questions about the Mandi event, sir showed us 3 educational toys.

First was Newton’s cradle.

 

Second was softball in the form of globe.

 

Third was a balancing butterfly which uses principle of centre of gravitation.

 

These are few of the toys which are used to sell during Mandi event and money generated from sell is given away to NGOs. This was not all of it. Prof Mandi explained us plethora of management concepts which one can learn in this whole exercise.

First learning was curiosity. He asked questions to students about the scientific principles involved behind working of these toys. He also emphasized about importance of curiosity in learning. These toys when sold to school students will create curiosity among them and develop their young mind.

Second learning is Innovation. How a small innovation can make a huge difference in the utility of product. When a world map printed on a softball, it transforms a normal playing toy into an informative toy.

He also explained that how one can use basic market research and decide where to sell the products. Also one can get chance to apply concepts of statistics, marketing and economics in selling toys on streets.  Last but not the least important learning was about social responsibility,  profits earned from Mandi event is given to NGOs.

All students were highly motivated with learnings we had in this lecture and what one can learn in actual Mandi event. So the next question was “sir, when will we have Mandi this year?”