‘Faculty Development Programme helps faculty members in improving their teaching as well as research acumen,’ says Dr Neha Berlia

The Faculty Development Programme aimed to enrich the knowledge and skills of faculty members in their respective fields of specialisations, thereby focusing on teaching, research and holistic development concludes on a high note. The week-long programme was held at Apeejay Stya University (ASU), Gurugram.

The day began with the academic sessions. The first one was addressed by Prof Payal Chandel, Head of Psychology Department from Central University of Haryana, Mahendragarh, who elaborately highlighted how qualitative research differs from quantitative research. She also enumerated the types of qualitative research and gave examples of grounded theory, phenomenology, ethnography, case study and action research.

This was followed by the session by Prof Parikshit Vasisht, Controller of Examination & IQAC Director, who spoke on the mandatory requirement of FDP by both National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and University Grants Commission (UGC).  Subsequently, Prof Sanjay Ahirwal, Dean at School of Journalism and Mass Communication, ASU expressed his appreciation towards each speaker for their highly professional and content-based lectures, which were extremely beneficial to every faculty member who attended.

This was followed by the valedictory address by Prof. Moin Uddin, Distinguished Professor at ASU, who stressed upon the attractive features of India’s education system and how funds from both internal and external agencies are made available. He gave examples of UKEIRI (UK India Education and Research Initiative) and GIAN (Global  Initiative Academic Networks). Talking about Sustainable Development Goals, he pointed out that among the 10 goals, there are specifically 2 goals which are highly relevant to higher education that are: (i) the effective learning environment and (ii) professional development of teachers and educators. “At Apeejay, we have a goal to develop the university into a world-class University. Such a university would have excellence in research, with considerable academic freedom, students and teachers having intellectual interest, good governance and good funding.”

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Amongst the measures suggested, Prof. Moin Uddin highlighted developing communication skills, focusing on increased research capacity, and interface with new technologies as well as taking up confidence building initiatives.

Following this, Dr Neha Berlia, Co-promoter, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Joint Secretary, Apeejay Education, and Pro-chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, addressed the FDP’s valedictory function.

Dr Neha Berlia addressed the faculty while pointing out how ASU, since its inception in 2010, has been striving hard towards higher academic standards from all perspectives. “The focus has always been on how to render higher education to be the best that would benefit all our students’ stakeholders.” She further drew everyone’s attention that the UGC has been making proactive efforts to upgrade the knowledge and skills of faculty members in the institutions of higher education. Towards achieving this, the UGC has put forward mandatory FDP that should be attended by the faculty members once a year. ASU had always believed in such programmes and has been organising lectures by eminent academicians.

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Dr Neha Berlia also added that FDP organised by ASU would help faculty members in improving their teaching and also research acumen, by gaining additional and latest knowledge and skills in the concerned field. “We have 9 schools in ASU, the disciplines ranging from engineering to pharmascience, bioscience, management, journalism, behavioural science, law, and design.”

She pointed out that ASU’s Faculty Development Programme is designed to enhance the teaching and other academic skills of the faculty, acquire knowledge about current technological developments in the relevant fields, and provide them with information on all of the latest developments in their field to enhance their teaching methodologies.

She added “The FDP provides an opportunity to all faculty members to reach higher standards in their academic/research activities, and at the same time provides opportunities for teachers in various disciplines to acquire knowledge and update their skills.”

While expressing her gratitude to all the resource persons, she hoped that every faculty made good use of the FDP and would be able to make a meaningful application of the knowledge gained.

The week-long event saw active participation from all the faculty members from different Schools of ASU. At the end of the programme, Dr Garima Sharma, an Assistant Professor at Apeejay Stya University, extended a vote of thanks and concluded the Faculty Development Programme.