Education is a process that involves carving the young minds theoretically and practically in the present as well as developing sustainable futuristic possibilities. Though the concept of multidisciplinary education is not new, as it was engraved in the GURUKUL SYSTEM of the Vedic era of Ancient India. Here the prodigies were not only sent to take subject specific knowledge, but were also supposed to serve the Gurukul in daily chores.
The prodigies learnt not only the topics of their expertise but were also experts in “Life skills” and after passing out of the Gurukuls served their countrymen directly as leaders in all fields.
This article dwells the attention of the readers on the modern day system of Multi-Disciplinary Education, as focused by the Education ministry with its “New Education policy”.
MEANING OF MULTIDISCPLINARY EDUCATION:
Studying the same topic from different perspectives in various disciplines thus developing a more holistic and wider applied outlook in the prodigies is aptly said to be Multidisciplinary education. It is a method of curriculum integration that highlights the diverse methods which different disciplines can bring to illustrate a theme, subject or issue. In a multidisciplinary curriculum, multiple disciplines are used to study the same topic.
One such case that aptly highlights the application of multidisciplinary approach is the great Campaign “Share a Coke” by Coca-Cola. The campaign was successfully able to put together 3 different yet diverse fields for the company together: I.e.
- Product sale and marketing
- Media vehicles usage
- CSR – Corporate social responsibility by donating one rupee on each sold bottle of coke towards child education and welfare.
While the above mentioned details the outcomes of various fields, the creation and propagation of the concept used the integration of many diverse fields.
- Idea propagation using media to enhance Marketing: To personalize Coke bottles with popular names, encouraging consumers to find bottles with their names or the names of friends and family.
- New Media handles: Not only Social Media, the campaign kicked up the DIGITAL NETWORKING via the SEO and SMO.
- Data Analytics: Coca-Cola used data analytics to determine the names to print on the bottles based on regional popularity, ensuring that the campaign resonated with different markets.
- Graphic Designing and Public Relations: The bottles were customized and designed to touch the human emotions, their struggles and joys employing bright colors and engaging typography that attracted consumers’ attention.
Taking another example where Asian Paint collaborated with a couple Muninder and Vishakha (professionally acclaimed architect and interior designer) in a TV programme “Small Budget Big Makeover” that was aired on an international TV Channel Travel and Living now available on Discovery channel as well.
This multidisciplinary approach brought together the Real estate, Interior design, Clothes industry, the graphics industry and the TV Entertainment together booming their sales and creating an altogether different approach in the minds of the consumers. Focused on real time programming the show got fresh viewers for the TV Channel as well. This approach was targeted at the middle and upper middle class economy of the Indian population. Here also the entire concept was made interesting and doable using the application of multidisciplinary principles.
I assure the readers that if they look deeper in each and every successful industrial project, an in-depth applied multidisciplinary approach will be observed, yet its endorsement in the education took us a delayed realization. Quite possibly we were so darted at the direct introspective applications of each of the specific discipline’s that the vastness of the amalgamated outcome of Multidisciplinary education was overlooked.
Now India is expanding its job market at an unimaginable length and breadth. We as a country are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to creating new employment. Optimism and productivity has never seen a NO, and this new Multidisciplinary education approach will give the country better team leaders, managers and smart workers.