Archana Thakran

About Archana Thakran

I am a Strategic Relationships Consultant to Saylor Academy which is a US-based Not-for-Profit organization offering over 100+ FREE courses globally. My role is to provide partnership development services in India, to support the educational activities of the Saylor Academy. Supporting the Saylor Academy\'s mission in making basic education affordable for all at zero cost through its free courses. I am also a Ph.D. Scholar from Shri Vishwakarma Skill University. The area of my research is to study the impact of Automation on the Indian Automotive sector. The Skill Ph.D. of SVSU is one of its kind in India where the research scholar has to work in close association with an Industry partner to work on the problem faced by the industry and have a solution as part of the study. Prior to starting my Ph.D, I have worked as Assistant Deputy Director with Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, which is India\'s first Govt. Skill University. The prime objective of SVSU is to bridge the skill gap and create Industry-Ready human Resources through its Dual Education Model. I worked in Industry Integration Department which tie-up with various Industries to offer skill-based, long-term, and short-term programs. I had started my entrepreneurial journey with Skills Mitra Academy where we train faculty on the use of ICT in education especially the effective use of Open Educational Resources (OER), AI & ML. I have conducted Hands-on Training/Workshops for faculty/ trainers, subject matter experts, content developers, entrepreneurs, and on the \'Use of OER for creating Online courses\' in India, Mauritius and Africa. I have trained over faculty in the use of OER so far. Worked with Amity University for Skill-based Diploma and B.VoC programs based on the German Model of Dual Education. A Bio-technologist by qualification but a multi-skilled professional working with Higher Education Sector for the last 8+ years. Handling Multiple roles like project conceptualization to its implementation, Robust Industry-Academia Integration, Capacity Building, Skill Development, liaising with various stakeholders, networking with Industries for long-term/short term programs. My key interests areas are in Skill Development, Faculty Capacity Building programs, Higher Education Management, CSR dealing with Education and Skills, Vocational Education, Networking.

Experience

1. Strategic Relationship Consultant

   Saylor University

   Jun 2020 — Present · IN

   As an Independent Strategic Consultant with Saylor Academy, my role revolves around the facilitation of Saylor Academy partnerships with various Higher Education Institutions in India.\\\\n\\\\n-Represent Saylor Academy in India to various Government/private/ Not-For-Profit organizations and advocate the Saylor Academy\'s work.\\\\n\\\\nSaylor Academy offers Free online courses along with free certification. There are no fees involved at any stage neither to the learners nor to the partnering institute. We are on the mission to make basic education free to everyone through our free courses.\\\\n\\\\n

Education

• Mann Public School

  12th, 10th

  2002 — 2004

• Amity University

  M.Tech, Biotechnology

  2011 — 2013

• Amity University

  B.Sc (H), Medical Biotechnology

  2007 — 2011

• Shri Vishwakarma Skill University

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Skill Policy