Jalandhar College hosts an enriching Faculty Development Programme

Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar recently organised the Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on the topic ‘Long Term Sustainability & Scalability of New Teaching’. The session was organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at the college premises. The aim of the event was to equip the faculty members with innovative pedagogical practices and strategies to enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement in higher education.

Dr. Deepa Sikand Kauts, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Education, Guru Nanak Dev University was the resource person for the session. Her expertise and fluency as a speaker made the faculty’s learning experience exceptionally enriching.

The programme commenced with a warm welcome from Dr. Neerja Dhingra, Principal at ACFA who thanked Dr. Deepa for being the keynote speaker.

During the session, Dr. Deepa drew a comparison between the traditional and modern education systems. Emphasising the need to re-establish traditional methods, she advocated for an integrated approach to education where students receive a holistic understanding of art, science, mythology, religion, and culture, akin to the Gurukuls of the past.

Dr. Deepa stressed the importance of cultivating close and healthy relationships between teachers and students to foster a conducive learning environment. She highlighted the benefits of integrating flip classroom approach to connect students with the subjects and encouraged teachers to focus on students’ all-round development by discovering and nurturing their hidden talents.

She further discussed the employability aspect of education and suggested incorporating 60% practical activities in each subject to engage students effectively. By doing so, students can explore various aspects of the subject and develop practical skills, making them more employable and responsible citizens.

Dr. Dhingra honoured the speaker with a memento, acknowledging her valuable contributions to the programme. She also appreciated the efforts of Dr. Anjana Kumari, Dr. Payal Arora and Dr Rajni Kumar for organising the programme.

While expressing her views, Ms. Rajni Kumar, Design Department at ACFA said, “The Faculty Development Programme on innovative pedagogical practices in higher education was a profound and inspiring experience. It marked a significant step forward in our continuous pursuit of excellence in education and empowered the faculty with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of higher education. The experience challenged my teaching paradigms, expanded my horizons, and ignited a passion for fostering meaningful learning experiences that are interactive, engaging, and impactful. These experiences will resonate with my students and me for years to come.”

Dr. Anjana Kumari, Head of the Hindi Department, stated, “It is essential for teachers to upgrade their teaching methodologies as per the need of the hour and to cater to the requirements of students in the modern era. Such programmes play a vital role in achieving this goal.”

Overall, the programme served as a platform for academic growth, encouraging educators to embrace innovative teaching practices and create meaningful and engaging learning experiences for their students.