Yesterday evening I had updated my LinkedIN profile with this new position that I’m starting as of April 2022. There were a lot of pleasant wishes that I’ve been receiving and I’m so thankful to you all for your best wishes! 
At the same time, I’ve also been receiving so many interesting questions around this move. 
I am really glad that people are curious to know more about certain unconventional roles in the society/industry. Post COVID “unconventional” is the new norm as matter of fact, these unconventional roles have been existing way before COVID and many have been updating their profiles similarly. However, the interest/curiosity around such positions may have increased lately. So, here’s my response to all the FAQs that I’ve been receiving since my update
FAQ #1: What is a Censor/What is this role/job about?
A censor is a position within Censorerne.dk that is an integral part of the Danish Department of Education and Research. I have taken the role of a censor in the Erhvervsøkonomi/Business Economics study for the Masters/Bachelor/Kandidat examinations.
In a typical examination, a student may have his/her own Professor present in the GREEN TABLE (the oral examination table) and a Censor (an independent body). A censor for any examination has a role somewhat similar to that of an invigilator/examiner in Indian government exams. The slight difference is here in Denmark the censors have a fair share in:
- reviewing answer papers/ thesis submissions of students appearing for examinations
- asking questions to the students during their oral exams
- together with the professors agreeing on a score that the student deserves
- ensuring overall that the examination is conducted in a fair and just manner and
- finally giving direct feedback/suggestions for improvement to the students
FAQ #2: Who can become a Censor? Or how to become a Censor?
Censors are typically Professors/Educators/Professionals in any specific subject matter. However, a censor must be an independent body not connected directly with any of the students appearing for the examinations. So, when examinations happen there is an independent pair of eyes reviewing the thesis and oral submissions of students.
In my case, I am not connected to any of the Universities in the capacity of a Professor/Educator. However, I have had about 17 years of international work experience with various multinational organizations. So, when I review such submissions by the students, aside from the mandatory requirements, I would look for the practicality aspect:
- How well are they able to apply the theories to current business scenarios
- How relevant would their thought processes be to the current industrial requirement
- How sharp can these students be in adding value to the industry that they aspire to be a part of
Presently there are around 900 censors for the examinations conducted in Denmark by various universities. Censorsekretariatet ensures that atleast 25% of them are fresh appointees from various industries every 4 years. To become a censor, one applies for such a role with the Censorsekretariatet (www.censorerne.dk) in Denmark. Such positions are open every 4 years or so in various subject areas depending upon the requirement of such censors in various educational departments. When one makes an application, one also must attach proofs of his/her own educational qualifications and of relevant work experiences.
In my case this role is effective for the period 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2026. I had applied in November 2021 for this role, and it took me about 4 to 5 days to fill out the application and attach all requisite proof documentation. So, for the next 4-year period starting 1st April 2026 such similar roles could be open ideally by November 2025.
One interesting fact about the censors that I would like to add here is that when I was a student most of the censors that came for my examinations were men. Today, when I entered the Censor Introduction Meeting at Aarhus University, I was pleasantly surprised to see almost 50% of the new censors were women. According to our Chairman Censorerne have made a conscious effort to ensure that women get a fair share of this responsibility. And we even had a few more Internationals like me who had joined the Censorkorps for the first time.
FAQ #3: Why did you choose to become a Censor?
This is one of the best ways one can give back to the education system from which one had built his/her roots into the industry/career path. This role enables students to interact with and get feedback from someone who has some real-time experience working in the industry that such students are aspiring for. Today’s students are the future generation of industries or the corporate world. If we can guide them in some way, we are on our way to building a stronger future.
FAQ #4: Will you continue with your startup?
Since the role of the censor is a requirement during the examinations at various universities, the timelines of the examinations can be planned in one’s calendar and he or she may continue his/her present role. During my life as a student with the CBS FTMBA, I have had censors coming in for my examinations who were full-time employees with various organizations here in Denmark.
Furthermore, this is an excellent opportunity for me to get to understand the mindsets and new approaches of our future generation, which is exactly what I need, to be able to continue driving the positive social impact through my startup – The Guiding Light Art Company.
In 2012 I had entered Denmark for the first time as a student and now after 10 years I enter the Danish educational system to contribute in the capacity of a censor while I continue creating the positive social impact through the GLAC Studio. I happen to be a Change Practitioner, and this is change management in practice – real time!!! Therefore, I am happily embracing this new identity and learning to get into this role while I blissfully continue to scale up my creative business.
