Interview Transcript 2
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hamzavkngInterview Transcript 2
Uploaded by
hamzavkngInterview Transcript 2
Teacher: Professor Rajesh Nair, Senior Lecturer in Marketing
Question 1: What factors contribute to your overall wellbeing as a teacher in higher
education?
"Student engagement and interactive learning environments are key. When students are
actively involved, it significantly enhances my job satisfaction and personal wellbeing. I feel
more energized when classroom discussions become meaningful rather than one-way
lectures. Positive feedback from students, seeing their academic growth, and watching them
apply concepts in real-life situations gives me a sense of purpose. Academic freedom to
experiment with innovative teaching methods also contributes to my wellbeing. Supportive
relationships with colleagues and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration further
improve my motivation and emotional satisfaction at work. A healthy classroom atmosphere
where students respect faculty members also plays a major role in reducing emotional
exhaustion."
Question 2: What challenges do you face that may affect your wellbeing as a teacher in
higher education?
"A major challenge is dealing with administrative overload and bureaucratic procedures,
which take away from my time to engage with students and personal research. Faculty
members are often expected to manage extensive documentation, reporting requirements,
accreditation activities, and institutional meetings in addition to teaching responsibilities.
Sometimes it feels like paperwork is valued more than meaningful academic contribution.
Constant interruptions and multitasking create mental fatigue. Another issue is the pressure to
remain continuously available to students and administrators through digital communication
platforms, which makes it difficult to disconnect from work. Managing large class sizes and
diverse student expectations also contributes to stress and emotional drain."
Question 3: How do you cope with stress and maintain your mental and emotional
wellbeing in your role as a teacher in higher education?
"To cope with stress, I often turn to playing badminton and reading non-academic literature.
These activities help me maintain a clear mind and a healthy body. Physical activity helps me
release tension accumulated during busy academic schedules. Reading fiction and
biographies allows me to mentally detach from work-related concerns and refresh my
perspective. I also try to maintain social connections with close friends and colleagues
because informal conversations often reduce stress. Time management has become important
for me, especially prioritizing tasks realistically instead of trying to meet every expectation
perfectly. I have also learned that taking short breaks during the day improves my
concentration and emotional stability."
Question 4: What institutional changes or support mechanisms do you believe would
enhance the overall wellbeing of teachers in higher education?
"More streamlined administrative processes and increased support staff would allow us to
focus more on teaching and less on paperwork. Additionally, creating stronger community
ties among faculty could help. Institutions should encourage collaborative rather than overly
competitive academic environments. Faculty wellbeing initiatives should go beyond one-time
workshops and become part of institutional culture. Regular dialogue between management
and faculty members can improve trust and reduce frustration. Providing mentoring support
for younger faculty, flexible scheduling during peak workload periods, and recognition for
teaching excellence could also contribute positively to wellbeing. Institutions should also
consider reducing unnecessary meetings and improving digital systems to make
administrative tasks less time-consuming."