College principals discuss systematic growth of institutes at national-level workshop

Dr Neerja Dhingra, principal, Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), made a special appearance recently at a five-day national-level workshop organised by the Department of Higher and Professional Education, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration.

The workshop held this month was themed: ‘Leadership Development for College Principals’. It was attended by 29 principals from different states across the country. Professor Sudhanshu Bhushan, programme director, NIEPA (National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration) presided over the workshop, and professor Neeru Snehi successfully played the role of programme coordinator of the workshop.

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Professor S Sonavane, director, Department of Education and Extension, Savitribai Phule University, honoured Dr Dhingra with a certificate of participation.

At the workshop, the delegates discussed pertinent issues like leadership in the governance of higher education, improving teaching-learning and technology in higher education, leadership in promoting multidisciplinary in higher education, developing research capacity in higher education, reform initiatives in higher education, internationalisation of higher education, and strategies for managing and mobilising financial resources, among other topics. The principals deliberated the importance of these issues in promoting the growth of an educational institute and maintaining its high standards.

Dr Dhingra said that multidimensional educational institutes will not only be beneficial to students’ learning process but also play a role in making them self-reliant financially.

Talking about the workshop, she highlighted that the members stressed the need for colleges to adopt an academic bank of credit for students to develop a multifaceted personality by exploring and investing in varied subjects and interests.

At the workshop, the principal of ACFA also talked about the achievements of her institute. “Our college is already providing education of various subjects under one roof keeping foresight. Our students, on one hand, are leaving their mark as professional dancers and singers and on the other hand, are getting successful as computer engineers and contributing significantly to the field of technology. Also, our students are achieving a lot in the fields of fashion, textile, and interior design, and are making their college proud every day.”