Good day, Dr. Mohd Adnan. I'm Arjun. I've had a look through your background and your professional record. I'm interested in hearing more about your work and how you see yourself fitting in here with our faculty. Ready to start?

Yeah, I'm.

Could you provide a brief introduction to your professional journey in academia?

Yeah, sure.

So I'm Doctor Mohammed Adnan and I did my.

Uh, I did my graduation as well as masters from Wardman College, Bijnor and after which I joined Modern Institute of Technology as a lecturer. And while doing my job there, I qualified for Junior research Fellowship and after which I joined the PhD program and I completed my PhD in the year 2025. And currently I am working as an assistant professor.

In the domain of finance at Uttaranchal University, Dehradun and it is a A+ neck graded university and.

Thanks for sharing that!

Professor, let's start by exploring your depth in financial analytics. Could you describe how you would approach analyzing a dataset to identify trends in corporate financial performance over a five-year period?

So for analyzing I would use regression analysis for looking at the trends.

Your choice of regression analysis indicates a foundational understanding of trend identification. Could you detail which type of regression you would use—such as linear, polynomial, or logistic—and how you would justify that choice for the dataset?

I would use linear regression and I am expecting that the data is normally distributed and because it is a scale variable.

So the choice of logistic is not a choice here. So therefore I would use a linear regression here.

Understood. Linear regression is indeed a valid approach for scale variables expecting normal distribution. One final follow-up: when testing the model’s reliability, what diagnostic measures or validation techniques would you prioritize to ensure the robustness of your findings?

So most of the time my work is, uh, basically related to the behavioral finance and uh, I, most of the time I use is structural equation modeling and I did it in many of my papers. And where the scale, uh, is basically based on uh, uh, it, it is a abstract concept. So it is used, it is basically measured by using a liquid scale type question and for measuring the reliability in case of liquor scale.

Use Pronbec alpha and different like approaches like AV and average variance extracted and different other approaches like discriminant validity can be assessed using using heterotate and monetary ratios which is basically a measure proposed by Koch and Hedaya.

Thank you, Professor. Your explanation aligns with rigorous approaches in assessment, especially for abstract concepts utilizing structural equation modeling frameworks. Now let's move to your expertise in core financial management. Could you explain how you would design a strategy to optimize a firm’s capital structure while balancing risk and return?

So for balancing risk and return, we can optimize the capital structure by using basically leverage analysis and capture structured.

Umm, there, there are methods for designing a appropriate capital structure. We have to basically balance, uh, maintain a balance between use of debt capital and equity capital and we can use it by, we can do it by using the leverage ratios and different other approaches.

Your reliance on leverage analysis and balancing debt and equity indicates a strong grasp of fundamental principles. Could you elaborate on how you might use cost of capital metrics, such as weighted average cost of capital (WACC), in this optimization process?

Yeah, sure. We can, uh, we can use uh, weighted average cost of capital BA basically there are multiple sources of capital. Like there we can use equity, we can use preference share capital and we can use that capital and we can also use the retained earning. And there are different cost associated with each of the sources. So, and in using weighted average cost of capital, basically what we do, we assign weight according to the.

Portion of that particular capital, like if you are using 20% equity, we assign 20% weightage to the equity and uh, similar kind of operations we perform with the rest of the sources. And then we calculate a weightage average of overall capital and we can also call it a minimum required rate of return so that we would be in a position to earn at least that amount if if suppose we are in industry.

We are expected to earn 10%, so we try to maintain our weighted average cost of capital less than 10%. So will be so that we will be in a profitability for profitable position.

That approach is precise and aligns well with optimizing profitability by minimizing the weighted average cost of capital relative to industry benchmarks. For my final question here: how would you recommend adjusting a firm's capital structure strategy in response to fluctuating interest rates or market volatility?

So in case in case first if the interest rate are fluctuating, we can basically use a flexible approach and and I think most of the companies are using it at present. What they can do, they can try to avail specific, they can enter into a specific contract with a financial institution where they can at any time reduce.

Increase their amount of debt and whenever the interest rate is declining, they can borrow more capital, more money from the financial institution. And if the interest rate are rising, they can pay off their pay off their debt and.

In in time of uncertainty, I would say that using less amount of debt capital is not suggested in case of uncertain situations.

Thank you for your insights, Professor. Your explanation reveals a dynamic approach to capital structure management that adapts well to interest rate and market fluctuations. Now, let us discuss teaching theory and laboratory courses. Could you explain your approach to designing a comprehensive curriculum for a graduate-level finance course?

So, uh, I would try to incorporate, uh, both theoretical and the practical, uh, portion in the, in the, in the course structure. And, uh, I would try to incorporate, uh, understanding related to the advanced Excel, Power BI and most advanced tools like I, I would try to incorporate the practical application of. Fairly available analytical softwares like Rstudio.

So that there will be in a position to to be in a position to be hired by the by the companies because most of the companies require those kind of.

Those kind of.

Abilities in students.

Your curriculum suggestion effectively combines theoretical knowledge with practical, software-based analytics skills critical in the finance field. For further refinement: How would you ensure that students grasp complex concepts like risk management or portfolio construction during your course?

First, I will try to provide provide them with a theoretical understanding. And then, then I will I will also use some case studies. And after that I'm I will basically provide them some practical questions so that they can they they can solve themselves after demonstrating that how to do that. And I will provide them some practical questions so that they will be in a position.

To basically tackle all these kind of, uh, problems.

That method of blending theoretical explanations with case studies and guided practice is a robust strategy for enhancing comprehension of complex topics. One final follow-up: How would you assess whether students have effectively understood and can apply these advanced concepts?

Uh, for assessing basically what we have to do, we can, uh, do a continuous assessment and we had to check on multiple levels that they are getting what we are teaching them. So we can after each lecture, we can provide them some questions so that and after then we, we can evaluate, we can also.

Encourage the students so that. They they are if they are.

Asking the relevant questions and we can also hand them over the content before the classes so that they will be prepared to answer or and to ask questions. And after all the things, after all the delivery of the lectures, what we can do, we can analyze, analyze the performance of students using continuous assessment and doing a test multiple times, we can say quarter.

On 15 day interval or after a month.

Your approach to continuous assessment, periodic testing, and proactive engagement with preparatory materials demonstrates a strong commitment to ensuring effective student learning. Let's now proceed to your methods for student evaluation and exam duties. How would you design evaluation criteria for a finance course to ensure fairness and accuracy in grading?

Uh, for basically designing, uh, I, I, I'm thinking that you asked me regarding the designing of a question paper. So what we can do, uh, we can design the evaluation relation paper in such a manner that is a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge. There are some questions that can be assessed during a sub.

Subject, uh, subjective perspective. And there should be some objective questions also. And there should be, uh, few questions like, uh, you, you can say that 40% weightage should be provided to the practical questions like, uh, calculation of weighted average cost of capital, calculation of budgeting and, uh, calculation of different budgets and different other things.

Your balanced approach to evaluation, combining subjective, objective, and practical questions, is well-structured and ensures assessment of both theoretical knowledge and applied skills. For clarity: How would you standardize grading to minimize bias and maintain consistency across evaluations?

So, uh, to minimize bias, what we can do, we, we uh, actually try to reduce the number of subjective questions and what we basically instruct the students. We can instruct that, uh, there, there should be some specific points that they are required to mention, they mention while answering the question. And uh, while, uh, from a teacher perspective, what we can do, we can.

Basically check the copies of student according to the model answer sheet if they are answering adequately or to what extent they are answering. So by this way we can actually minimize the bias that can be introduced by subjectivity of human.

Basically design. Model answer sheet and basically.

Standardizing answers with model answer sheets to align evaluations with predefined criteria is an effective strategy for reducing subjectivity and ensuring grading accuracy. One final follow-up: How would you incorporate feedback in your evaluation process to help students improve?

So basically I incorporating feedback obviously will be helpful for both the students and the teacher. So after every lecture, what we what we can do, we can ask the student to rate the lecture and rate the teacher their methodology and similar kind of approach can be adopted by the teacher when the students are. Evaluated.

In in the exam.

Features are basically required to segregate the students. You can, we can what we can do, we can divide the students into different categories like slow learner and fast learner and we can dedicate more time on slow learners and and we can also improve the position of fast learners by discussing with them. Where they are facing problem and same kind of approach can be used but we have to dedicate some extra time like.

Extra lecture to those who are learning in a slow manner.

Your emphasis on tailored feedback, categorizing students by learning pace, and dedicating extra attention to slow learners reflects a thoughtful and inclusive approach to fostering academic growth. Let us now proceed to guiding student projects and research. How would you support students in selecting meaningful research topics within the realm of finance?

So basically what what I do, basically I, I it is not advisable that we should impose our preferences over the students. So what I do first I will encourage the students to go on the Internet and find thought provoking and inculcating things that basically grasp their interest or basically I would suggest them to basically explore what they are interested in suppose.

Uh, someone is interested in marketing, someone is interested in finance. In finance, there are multiple domains like they can go for financial inclusion, they can go for corporate leadership, they can whatever they like. I will, I will basically motivate them to go on the websites. I will tell them where, where to look for like Google Scholar, ResearchGate and different different websites of different papers. Like they can also explore the databases like Fable.

Send and Scopus so and they they have to find the related research papers and read upon them and then they we can further discuss upon the topics that they think interesting.

Encouraging students to explore their interests and leveraging scholarly databases like Fable, Scopus, and Google Scholar is an excellent way to guide them in selecting meaningful research topics. For clarification: Once a student selects a topic, how would you ensure that their research question is appropriately scoped and feasible?

So actually it is very important to basically.

Design a paper in a manner which has appropriate question. So what we can do, we have to make sure that the questions.

Limit the scope of the paper so and the question should be such that is feasible Me I mean to say that that can be achievable like the time and and the resources allow the achieving of that object.

With the after discussing and I will obviously guide the students that how to make a question specific, focused and.

Active, so I will.

And achievable.

Your method of guiding students to narrow their questions while ensuring feasibility in terms of timeframe and resources is both practical and essential for effective research. My final follow-up: How would you mentor students to critically evaluate their findings and synthesize conclusions that are both insightful and defensible?

So basically for evaluation, for making them evaluate their findings that are basically interesting, intuitive and practical, I would suggest them to base their founding on the existing body of knowledge. And I would also suggest them to incorporate the the the practical knowledge gained during the field survey.

They tend to go to the field survey and if they did not go to the field then they can. What they can do, they can basically blend their finding and base their finding on the existing knowledge or if the they're finding is countering the existing knowledge or it is basically agreeing to the existing knowledge. So by this way they can basically authenticate their finding and they have.

Opposite to the existing or in conformity to the existing finding. By this way, uh, they are findings can be can be made interesting and, uh, relevant.

To provide a strong argument to why their finding is.

Your emphasis on grounding conclusions in existing literature, validating findings through field surveys where applicable, and ensuring strong argumentative backing is the hallmark of sound academic mentorship. Now, let’s discuss your clarity in teaching and ability to structure aspects of instruction. Could you elaborate on your strategies for delivering complex finance concepts in a clear and structured way to undergraduate students?

So what I do to explaining a very concept, very complex concept to the experiment. What I do, I will basically start with the basic background and I will demonstrate and explained each and every factor that is necessary for understanding the concept. Like if I'm going to explain the weighted average.

Cost of capital, then what I do I will first introduce the student with different type of sources of capital and different costs associated with the with different sources of capital and how to compute and what I mean by weighted average cost of capital and what what is the importance of weighted average And then I will demonstrate it using dividing it into different steps so that they will be able to understand it.

Fully. And as a follow up what I will do, I will demonstrate them with a practical question. And even if even after that I will give them some kind of homework so that they will try to do it on on on their own. And after after that what I do, I will follow up and if they have encountered any kind of problem while solving the problem and I will then I will try to solve that specific problem.

Problem.

Your method of breaking down concepts step-by-step, using demonstrations, practical questions, and follow-up homework offers a well-structured and engaging pedagogical approach. As a follow-up: How do you adapt your teaching methods to accommodate students with varying levels of prior knowledge in the subject?

Uh, OK, so for different level of different level of, uh, like, uh, I would say varying level of knowledge, uh, I will.

Basically, try to make, uh, my lectures as, uh, lucid and understandable, uh, for all the students. Uh, I will try to make it as basic as possible and as advanced as possible. But what I do, I start my lecture with the basic first so that the students with low level of understanding will will be put in a position as with the other students, those who have.

Understanding of the subject and when all the students are on the same level then I will move on to the advanced level so that whole class will be in a position to understand the concept.

Your approach of starting with foundational concepts and then gradually advancing once students reach a uniform level of understanding reflects adaptability and inclusivity in teaching. For a final question here: How do you ensure active engagement from all students, especially in larger classrooms?

Uh, for active engagement, uh, there what we can do, we can adopt two or three approaches. We can basically divide students into groups and, uh, uh, allow them to ask question and to perform tasks in groups. And, uh, what I can do, I can pose question to the students. So they try to engage as as much as possible and they try to answer. And I will also motivate the student to.

Ask questions to me so that I will be in a position to better, uh, answer their queries, uh and uh, I will try to make student as comfortable as possible, uh, when it comes to asking questions to me.

Encouraging group work, posing questions directly, and making students feel comfortable asking questions themselves are excellent engagement strategies for larger classrooms. Now, Professor, let us move to your qualifications. Could you briefly outline how your PhD specialization aligns with the expectations for this Finance Professor role?

Our scheduled time for the interview is now up. Before we conclude, do you have any questions related to the role or the company?

Uh, basically, uh, it would be better if, uh, I was, uh, if you tell me what kind of different roles, uh, I'm expected to perform and, uh, what, what is the major role?

The Finance Professor role involves teaching and mentoring students in finance and related areas, conducting laboratory sessions, evaluating student performance, and guiding student projects and research activities. Responsibilities also include curriculum development, publishing research papers, contributing to consultancy services, and promoting industry-institution interaction. The role demands expertise in financial analytics, core financial management, and structured teaching approaches, with a PhD in a relevant specialization being preferred. There’s an emphasis on engaging actively in R&D, participating in accreditation processes, and leveraging industry-sponsored projects and consultancy. Does this provide the clarity you were seeking?

Can you, uh, elaborate, uh, the actual analytics a little bit?

Financial analytics in this context involves analyzing financial data to support decision-making, strategy formulation, and risk management. It encompasses areas such as trend analysis, forecasting, risk modeling, and investment evaluation, using advanced tools like Excel, RStudio, and Power BI to derive actionable insights. It also involves creating metrics for performance evaluation, optimizing capital allocation, and assessing financial health through indicators like ROI, WACC, and leverage ratios. Financial analytics bridges theory with practical application, ensuring alignment with industry standards and real-world challenges. Would you like further clarification on any specific aspect of financial analytics in this role?

Uh, that's it. Thank you.

You're most welcome, Professor. To confirm, would you like to officially end the interview now?

Sure, we can let it out.