Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) is going to launch training and induction programmes for first time teachers in higher education and for the heads of universities and institutes.
The initiative has been taken by the ministry after suggestions from the Group of Secretaries, set up by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). In order to conduct the three-month induction programme, the ministry has identified over 30 institutes including Teaching Learning Centres (TLCs) at IIT-Kanpur, IIT-BHU, NIT Warangal, IISER-Bhopal, schools of education in Jamia Millia Islamia and the Central University of Haryana, among others.
Similarly, 12 institutes have been brought in to train newly appointed vice-chancellors, pro vice-chancellors, directors, registrars, deans and heads of departments. The leadership training programme will be of four to seven days.
The current one-month orientation programme of the University Grants Commission (UGC) is now upgraded to a three-month programme designed by the MHRD along with improved content.
The newly designed induction programme will include modules on use of technology for teaching, roles and responsibilities of teachers, assessment and evaluation, university structure and functioning, and academic leadership.
“Schoolteachers are trained to teach, but in higher education the newly-appointed assistant professors have little knowledge about teaching methodology, assessment and evaluation techniques, basics of governance and administration. The induction programme is aimed at filling that gap,” said an official.
“They should be equipped to handle problems and leadership challenges that come up in the academic, financial and administrative spheres. They should be able to lead and support diverse workforce, promote teamwork and improve staff performance,” the official added.