COIR-Behavioural & Neurosciences Organizes Expert Talk on “Inter – Professional Collaboration as a Model for Growth”
The COIR – Behavioural & Neurosciences at KSOM, KIIT Deemed to be University organized an expert guest lecture by Dr. Sukanya Ray, Associate Professor of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, USA, on “Inter- professional Collaboration as a Model for Growth” on 12th July, 2026. The session brought together faculty, research scholars and students to explore how collaborative and mentoring frameworks can drive personal, professional and institutional growth.
Dr. Ray opened by distinguishing mentoring from teaching and coaching, describing it as an authentic, collaborative, mentee-centred relationship based on shared experience, self-discovery, equal status, social justice, shared power, voice, peer networks, reciprocal learning, and flexible roles. She modelled this through interdisciplinary, grant-funded experiential projects at Suffolk University, bridging Psychology with Business, Design and Law through courses such as Organizational Psychology and the Senior Capstone. Through these two-year projects, students enhanced their critical thinking, reflection, confidence, interpersonal skills, cultural competence, leadership and advocacy. Pilot data from 2018-20 indicated a transition from “gained knowledge” to a broader personal development. She concluded with an emphasis on student advocacy and leadership, preparedness for AI applications and ethical dilemmas, and institutional support for inclusive pedagogy, interdisciplinary and experiential learning, curriculum innovation, and inter-professional faculty research.
“Inter – Professional Collaboration as a Model for Growth”
“Inter – Professional Collaboration as a Model for Growth”
“Inter – Professional Collaboration as a Model for Growth”
“Inter – Professional Collaboration as a Model for Growth”
More than 300 students, COIR members, research scholars and faculty members participated in the discussion. This shows a strong institutional interest in the collaborative dynamics that enriched understanding of the intersection between inter-professional mentoring, personal growth and institutional development, while inspiring future research and informed academic practice.
The discussion revealed long-term collaboration in different fields helping students to develop not only knowledge but also real self-reflection, confidence, cultural understanding and leadership skills. Key outcomes of the event included showing how cross-functional projects build critical thinking and advocacy, establishing future goals for ethical AI use and inclusive teaching, and encouraging KIIT faculty to embrace equal-status, collaborative mentoring in their teaching and research.
The event concluded with an insightful faculty interaction led by Prof. Ray in KSOM Board Room–2. Faculty members from COIR and KSOM, along with Prof. Arvind Tripathy, Dean of KSOM, actively participated in the discussion. The dialogue opened avenues for meaningful collaborations between KIIT and Suffolk University. The session concluded with a gracious word of gratitude delivered by Prof. Shikta Singh, Head of COIR – Behavioural and Neurosciences.