CQUniversity ICT Lecturer Dr Meena Jha has been based at the CQUni Sydney campus for 15 years. As a researcher and educator in the field of computer science, Meena has strived to lift the profile of Information Technology and help businesses and students realise their potential. She is also an advocate of providing a solid education to future generations and increasing the number of women in the IT and Engineering professions.
What was a recent highlight of your life?
In October I represented CQUni at Westpac’s Sydney headquarters for the first-ever Vogue Codes women in technology summit to discuss how women can be empowered by technology. Our science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce is crucial to Australia’s innovative capacity and global competitiveness. Yet women are vastly underrepresented in STEM jobs, with only one in four IT graduates and fewer than one in 10 engineering graduates being women.
What is the best thing about being at CQUni?
The interaction with students. I have the privilege of teaching students from across the globe. Students do not see their talent. It just takes a few suggestions and soon they are blooming into professionals. There is nothing more gratifying than supporting their development.
Who has made an impact on your life? Why?
My father Prof B N Mishra as a Chairman and Vice Chancellor of a very prestigious institution in India is an exemplary person who has led an honest life. The person who I am now is mostly because of my father’s devotion and dedication. To me, he is an ideal person whom I often mimic and consider as my idol in life.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
Every child deserves a good, free education. Educating people all over the world will have its rewards and helps to eradicate many existing problems. That is why I am working with NGOs who support and provide free education in Indian villages.
What is a motto or phrase that you live by?
Enjoy life. Life is very precious.
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
Mother Teresa once said, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing”. I would like to make everyone smile and be happy with my superpower.
The weekend is free – what would you do?
Bollywood dance party!
I am sorry to ruin her spotlight but she is easily the worst person who has taught at the university, we have sent this feedback through repeatedly to the university as most international students who have taken her class. She has no clue of what she is teaching (can say that with over 6 years of professional experience in the industry, she is lost), can someone please monitor her class and assignments if you really care for the international students as you say you do instead of mocking us with these posts from her.
Hi Mappy,
We are sorry to hear you have had a bad experience with Dr Meena Jha. Thank you for sending feedback to the university. If you have not filled the complaint form, we would encourage you to do so here – https://www.cqu.edu.au/student-life/new-students/student-feedback. I will also let know the relevant internal stakeholders about your enquiry.
Please let us know if you have further questions.
Kind regards,
CQUniversity team
I don’t agree with Mappy at all.
As a matter of fact, the reason why I am currently a successful professional in IT field from past few years (of which majority I have worked as a java developer) is thanks to Meena. She has been one of the most caring, brutally honest lecturers but with a heart of gold, sincerely wanting the best for every student, extremely encouraging and a trustworthy mentor.
She is a lecturer at the end of the day, with heaps of experience. If one ever makes the effort to ask her any study or career related question in the class – she always guides the students who proactively make that effort !
She is not a school teacher to go chase every single student if they do not have any questions after the lecture class or tutorials. And that should never be an expectation from any student who is studying at a university level.
A number of international students in the class have had a very relaxed attitude towards studies or grades, and then have gone to assume that universities are meant to be exactly like high school, where teachers should chase them if their assignments aren’t complete (or not submitted on time). The only time I see students or my previous unimates panic was when their grades would not be good enough, which is clearly not the most ethical approach to study.
In reality there is only so much a lecturer or a teacher or anyone can help, if the student doesn’t want to work hard or be helped.
Universities and lecturers are supposed to encourage the students, guide and bring out their full potential with the student’s chosen field of subjects and that based on my experience (as an international student), I strongly believe Meena does that extremely well.
I am grateful that Meena had a big impact in my university life and was amongst the best IT lecturers I ever had during my study period as an international student.
Good morning Avantika,
Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate you let you know what you think and how Meena helped you in your university life.
Kind regards, CQUni, Flo