Disclaimer: The following interview has been edited for the ease of readers. The responses are not verbatim accounts from the interviewee. 

Dr. Manoj Kannan has been an integral part of BITS for many years, both as a student and a teacher. Being a prominent figure in the Department of Biological Sciences, he impacted the lives of many. Numerous students in his General Biology class agree that he made the course engaging and memorable. As we heard the news of his departure from the Institute, the English Press Club reached out to him to interview him on August 28 about his experience at BITS.

Q. You have been a part of BITS as a student as well as a professor. Can you tell us about the transition during each phase of your academic career as an undergraduate, masters student, and PhD scholar?

A. The transition into these different phases was seamless and gradual. My college career was very smooth, with no sudden changes or gaps. I came to BITS in 1996 for a program called MA (Hons.) English, got a transfer to MSc (Tech.) Information Systems, and another one (vertical transfer) to ME Biotechnology. There was no marked change in the environment. While pursuing my PhD in genetics, I spent 5 years (2003-2008) at the National Cancer Institute, where the university culture was entirely different.

Q. How was your experience working at the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, and Ohio State University?

A. I went to the National Cancer Institute on a Fogarty Fellowship offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Due to the fellowship, I did not have to work odd jobs or as a Teaching Assistant (TA). Being surrounded by postdoctoral fellows and research scientists, it was a very professional environment to do science. Unlike a university environment, there were just three of us who were doctoral students, but were treated pretty much like postdoctoral researchers. As a result, I did not have a traditional university experience in the United States. My stint at OSU in Columbus was brief.

As a part of my research, I worked on L1 transposons (commonly known as “jumping genes”), and specifically studied epigenetics of those elements. 

Q. Can you tell us about your transition from a student to a professor at BITS?

A. The concept of teaching always intrigued me; therefore, I jumped at the opportunity to work in this field. Teaching courses like Language Lab as a third-year student allowed me to gain first-hand experience in the classroom environment. I became a TA in my fourth year at the university, after which I started teaching individual topics like meiosis and mitosis in General Biology. As the attendance for these lectures gradually increased, I was further invigorated to start full-fledged teaching. After this, my position was altered from Assistant Lecturer to Lecturer and finally to Assistant Professor. In addition to this, I taught Computer Programming. I distinctly recall one period, where at the age of 21, I taught C and Unix to Masters students who were approaching 30. Although intimidating, this was a valuable teaching experience.

I took a sabbatical from teaching between 2003 and 2008, which made me realise how much I missed it. After I returned to India, the first course I taught was General Biology. Although I was a little nervous, having been out of touch, I got back into the original tempo once I started. 

Q. What are some changes in the student culture at BITS perceived by you?

A. When G.D. Birla founded BITS, he established the ethos of the institution as a paathshala. The very fabric of the institution was based on camaraderie and interactions among professors and students. BITS had a very homely and welcoming feel to it. Since the institute is fully residential, informal dinners at faculty homes were a widespread phenomenon. As students, we visited our professors’ residences not just to resolve academic doubts but also to engage in other discussions. The fees were modest—a semester here would cost approximately half of what private institutions in Chennai demanded at that time. There was no need to advertise BITS in newspapers, because its name was known far and wide in the country as a place of excellence and affordable education. Oasis is a perfect example of this paradigm in action. Originally, it was meant to be an intra-BITS soiree where faculty and students showcased their artistic skills in a range of mediums. Over the years, however, the engagement between students and teachers has decreased significantly. 

Q. What are your comments on the current student culture at BITS?

A. The strong sense of community and cooperation amongst the students, and vibrancy of the student activities has continued to stay and flourish. However, I feel there is pressure on students to join various clubs and departments. These extra-curricular aspects in the university should be enjoyable and provide one with congenial company. No one should feel inferior because they didn’t participate in these clubs or be coerced to enrol themselves, or no club/department should be considered inferior to another. When I was planning to audition for Ragamalika, one of the members suggested that I was better suited for Music Club and encouraged me to audition there. This atmosphere was very healthy, and the seniors treated me in an affectionate way. Even when I decided to drop out of the club since I wanted to spend more time on academics, they were very understanding.

Another trend which I find a bit troubling, but perhaps understandable, is the emphasis that even first-year students give to placements and pay packages.

Q. Leaving a long career is a big change for anyone. Why did you take this decision and what are your plans after this transition? 

A. Change is inevitable in life. My research career began at BITS, where I have progressed after overcoming various obstacles and gaining invaluable experience. However, the university that I will be entering will provide the opportunity to pursue other fields of expertise. I will be assuming the position of Associate Dean, which will enable me to work closely with the students. Since it is a new university, it has increased scope for formal documentation of the teaching process. I will put the things I learnt at BITS into practice to overcome upcoming hurdles. 

I have always taken short breaks over the years, both from teaching and from the Pilani campus. My time in the States and a brief stint at the Dubai campus are some prominent examples. However, this is the first time I am leaving without the certainty of returning.  

Q. Many students were dejected when they came to know about your departure from BITS. Do any anecdotes or stories come to mind when you look back at the time spent with the students?

A. Everyone came to know about my departure when the Timetable did not mention my name under the Gita Course. Consequently, I received innumerable emails from students, which overwhelmed me with emotions. 

Whenever I walk into a class, I consider everyone present to be a potential friend and want to know them personally. To me, every interaction with a student is like a conversation between friends, except that I happen to know more about a particular subject than they do. I want to put my students at ease and maintain a casual student-professor relationship with all of them. In turn, this allows me to make mistakes without feeling embarrassed. I’ve had countless one-on-one interactions with students, some of which have been forgotten by me over the years. However, I feel very touched whenever students tell me about these, and how they impacted their future.

In 2017, I had a couple of students who were well-versed with UNIX in my C.P. classroom. Despite being familiar with the content, they attended all the lectures because they enjoyed my teaching. During classes, they would correct any errors on my part and suggest more efficient solutions. The General Biology course for the 2020 batch was one of my best and most fulfilling teaching experiences so far. Those 40 lectures were reminiscent of my early teaching days; the students waited for an hour after the last lecture to give feedback as well. 

Q. What pedagogical methods have changed since you started teaching at BITS?

A. The students at the Pilani campus utilise relatively traditional methods in the classroom. Pen-and-paper notes prevail over digital ones, and students often prefer the blackboard to slides and videos. With numerous resources available, class attendance has been declining over the years. Even though the average attendance used to be higher, an exceptionally well-taught course witnesses most enrolled students showing up in the classroom. 

Q. What is your favourite memory at BITS?

A. I cannot pinpoint any particular memory to be my favourite. One cherishable feeling while teaching in a classroom is when you explain a concept and observe that most students in the class have grasped it. The sense of satisfaction after noticing the threshold being met, with students smiling and nodding, kept me going.

Q. What is your favourite place on campus?

A. In the 2000s, BITS was considerably greener than it is today. There was a magnificent tree in the Sky Lawns, where a cold bottle of shikanji from the eatery and a riveting book could make one forget about the scorching summer heat. Another iconic place was the C-Lawns, which stretched between the Rotunda and Saraswati Road, a well-maintained and quiet place to relax, study with friends, or simply introspect.

The Shiv Ganga periphery, which was accessible to students back then, is also one of the most memorable places on campus. Morning walks along this path while enjoying the scenic surroundings and the fish swimming in crystal clear water, were unforgettable.

Q. What was your favourite course to teach here?

A. I’ve always enjoyed teaching first-year courses and meeting new students. It was refreshing to get to know their hopes and expectations from BITS, and striving to fulfill them, as much as I could. As a result of the misconception that biology is not required for an engineering career, teaching General Biology was both rewarding and challenging.

Another course that I enjoyed teaching is Bhagavad Gita. I consider myself to be fortunate because I was offered the role of being the IC for this course. Students often relate to this course and utilise its teachings in their daily life. I brought flexibility to this course to ensure students remain honest and not pressurised by grades.  

Q. Do you have comments on malpractice in the online semesters?

A. As a teacher, I have to reinforce certain expectations and ensure that justice is done to the courses I teach. Sloppy and lackadaisical work by the students often discourage the teacher. Everyone had difficulties adapting to the online format—students and teachers felt isolated, and conversations lacked a personal touch. I tried my best to curb malpractices in every course I taught, especially in courses like General Biology. 

When I confronted the students who engaged in unethical practices, I did my best to maintain legitimacy. You have to be careful not to hurt anyone but remain just at the same time.

Q. Do you plan to visit or teach at BITS again? 

A. As I am leaving by Providential arrangement, I can return to this institute by the same! I am definitely not opposed to returning to the institute which has made me the person I am today. However, I think it is a good idea to take a break once in a while to avoid stagnation. If I plan to return, it is comforting to know that there will be no tags attached to my persona. After returning to Pilani from Dubai, I faced a similar experience. Since only the fourth-year students knew me, I was not perceived as a strict instructor, and students came to my courses without any preconceived notions.

Q. What message would you like to convey to the students?

A. I have interacted with myriads of students throughout the years. As I stated earlier, I aim to befriend every student I teach. Along the course of these interactions, some people may have been upset, angry or hurt, which was never my intention. I would like to earnestly convey that I am open to resolving any conflicts that might have arisen during my interactions with anyone. I usually reply to every email I receive (if it is in the best interest of the student), and I am confident that we can work out any disagreement between us. 

One of the primary reasons I consented to this interview was to communicate with the students, as I was yet to confirm my resignation. Every teacher comes with their own characteristic behaviour, which is often inculcated in their teaching methods. I would like to thank all my students for putting up with my practices and tolerating me for all these years.