National Faculty Development Programme Begins at MCM

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 13^th April:- A 7 day National Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on Expanding Paradigms of Pedagogy, encompassing a broad spectrum of topics highly relevant to the current higher education scenario, began at MCM DAV College for Women here today. The endeavor aimed to sensitize the participants about the various facets of teaching as well as research and the technicalities and challenges therein. The programme has some of the most erudite minds from pan-India academia as the speakers and over 100 participants from diverse disciplines converged from states across India to benefit from the valuable inputs of these luminaries.

In the keynote address, Prof. (Dr.) V. Vijaya Kumar, Founder Member, National Law School of India University, Bangalore reiterated that teaching is a commitment and 21st century poses a lot of challenges for the teaching community in the form of integrating ICT mechanisms in teaching practices, keeping abreast of contemporary changes and creating an enabling academic environment for teacher-taught interaction.

Prof.(Dr.) Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Secretary, UGC, New Delhi delivered the inaugural address in which he shared anecdotes from his own life to emphasize the paramount importance of teachers in the lives of students and urged the teachers to internalize the basic tenets of teaching like good communication skills, investigative mind, updating knowledge and promoting research.

The presidential address was delivered by Prof. Ranbir Singh, Vice Chancellor, National Law University, New Delhi. wherein he laid stress on collective responsibility in sailing through the transformative changes in the field of education and creating a conducive environment for teaching-learning where teachers are technically sound, professionally competent, socially relevant and accessible so that they can chisel out the best of students.

Highlighting the responsibility of teachers in moulding generations, Prof.(Dr.) Paramjit S.Jaswal, Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala urged the teachers to bring about competency in dissemination of knowledge. 

Dr. Parvinder Singh, Controller of Examinations and Dean, College Development Council, PU delivered the vote of thanks and appreciated this endeavour of the college to address a very pertinent issue.

This capacity building programme includes an eclectic mix of topics like effective teaching techniques, latest teaching tools, fundamentals of research and statistics, research ethics, promotion of research at students' level, learning disabilities, stress management, industry-academia interface, API, theatre and classroom teaching, etc. that seek to enhance pedagogical expertise of teachers.

Principal Dr.Nisha Bhargava appreciated the efforts of the faculty members in conceptualizing and giving shape to this novel initiative which assumes great significance in the wake of shifting paradigms in higher education that necessitate continuous up-gradation and  enhancement of the skills of the faculty.