Upskilling for Dynamic Higher Education

We are proud to announce the culmination of our Faculty Development Program on "Upskilling for Dynamic Higher Education Landscape," conducted from 15 th to 20 th July 2024, making faculty and staff at GD Goenka University well-equipped to navigate the ever- changing world of education.

The program kicked off with a focus on the university's vision and mission, emphasizing the alignment of faculty goals with institutional values. Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Kim Menezes, Registrar Dr. Anuradha Tiwari, Dean Academics Prof. (Dr.) Vandana Mehrotra and Assistant Dean (SOES) Dr. Anindita Roy Chowdhury provided frameworks for achieving these objectives while ensuring compliance with UGC quality mandates.

Day 1 delved deeper into curriculum development, with sessions on Outcome Based Education (OBE) led by Dr. Vikas Jhawat. This included practical approaches to achieving Course-Program Outcomes (CO-PO). The afternoon saw Dr. Parvesh Lata guide faculty through curriculum design and handbook development, ensuring a cohesive learning experience for students.

Day 2 offered valuable insights into integrating technology into teaching practices.Dr. RK Agrawal,Professor & Chief Coordinator of Communication & Information Services School of Computer & Systems Sciences, JNU delivered a lecture on OBE implementation and the methods of measuring program Outcomes (PO), Program Specific Outcome (PSO) and Course Outcome (CO) while an interactive workshop facilitated by Ms. Sobhna Jha from PwC India equipped faculty and staff with skills for digital creativity. Participants learned to utilize tools like Adobe Express and web page design to engage and inspire students.

Research skills were honed on Day 3 with Dr. Amarendra Pani, Joint Director & Director (i/c) Research Division, Associaltion of Indian Universities took a session on writing research papers and scholarly articles. He provided a roadmap for crafting strong academic papers, covering everything from planning and literature review to structuring arguments and avoiding common editorial pitfalls.

Day 4 addressed two separate sessions involving the leadership team of GD Goenka University as well. The first session of Leadership development programme was taken by Dr. Amrita Bahl, Chief Education Officer Dr. Gaurav Himkar, Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Varun Reddy Sevva, Chief Human Reaource Officer (CHRO) explored the "Vision and Mission" of the University and its Schools and defined the way forward. It involved understanding the long-term goals and exploring the action taken, resource availability, challenges and time lines. Conversely, "I, Me, and Myself" session taken by Ms. Shampi Venkatesh, Advisor and Mentor to SMEs, Certified Executive Coach delved into personal introspection and growth. It encouraged the leadership team members to understand their strengths, values, and areas for improvement, fostering self-awareness.

Understanding oneself ensures effective leadership grounded in clarity, empathy, and personal alignment with organizational goals. Integrating these elements cultivates holistic leadership capable of driving sustainable success and fostering a motivated, cohesive team The other sessions on day four for faculty and staff addressed the crucial aspects of fostering a positive learning environment. Session on Gender Sensitisation and POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) was led by Ms. Heena Parveen, raising awareness about creating a safe and inclusive workplace. Additionally, Dr. Sudipta Sen Gupta's session on Written Communication provided faculty and staff with tools to communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and stakeholders.

The day ended with a session on MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Tools Development delivered by Ms. Manka Sharma. This session explored the potential of technology to enhance online learning and faculty development, equipping participants with the skills to integrate these tools into their teaching practices.

The session on Day 5 was taken by Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Kaushik, Director, Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Dean Student Welfare & International Relation on Student Management & Guidance. And finally there were team building activities for all the participants which were organised by Department of Student Welfare & International Relations (DSW).

Overall, the Faculty Development Program served as a comprehensive upskilling initiative by GD Goenka University. By providing a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills across various areas, the program empowered faculty members to become effective educators and leaders in the dynamic landscape of higher education.