SRINAGAR: To orient and integrate newly recruited faculty members into the academic environment of higher education institutions (HEIs), the UGC-Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), University of Kashmir (KU), Tuesday inaugurated the 89th Guru Dakshata Faculty Induction Programme (GDFIP) and Refresher Course in Sciences here.
The month-long programme mainly focusses on institutional orientation, teaching and learning enhancement, research and professional development, technological proficiency, student interaction and support, administrative and operational knowledge, networking and community building, ethical and professional standards, feedback and evaluation and well-being and work-life balance.
Participants from various HEIs including universities, colleges, NITs, IITs and agricultural universities from within and outside Jammu and Kashmir are attending the programme.
During the inaugural session, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) and Director National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar, Prof A Ravinder Nath, emphasised the transformative impact of technology and internet on education.
“As a community, we have to understand the roles, responsibilities and rights of a teacher and teachers too need to transform and adapt to the emerging trends, techniques and new ideas of pedagogy,” he said.
In her message, KU Vice Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan highlighted the university’s commitment towards enhancing teaching standards and raising the bar in teaching excellence.
“Programmes like these are instrumental in enriching the higher education sector and our continuous efforts in faculty development, academic growth and innovation are a result of years of commitment,” she added.
Dean, College Development Council and the officiating Dean Academic Affairs, KU, Prof Khursheed A Butt, underlined the importance of a positive mindset in teaching, describing it as an art and an attitude.
“While offline mode holds significant value, online teaching became necessary due to COVID-19 and other developments,” he said, adding that such programmes equip educators with the necessary skills to adapt to the evolving educational landscape.
KU Registrar Prof Naseer Iqbal, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to supporting excellence in teaching and research and underscored the spirit of giving back to the society.
“The exchange of knowledge and experiences in such forums is vital for the continuous improvement of our academic institutions,” he reiterated, adding that UGC-MMTTC figures in the top 6 centres across India and that the varsity is committed to making it the topmost centre.
Director, UGC-MMTTC Prof Fayaz Ahmad, emphasised the importance of faculty development programmes in producing effective teachers.
“One cannot become a good and effective teacher unless they receive a proper faculty development orientation,” he said, adding that online cannot be a substitute for offline learning.
Head, Department of Library Science, University of Kashmir and Coordinator, 89th GDFIP, Prof Sumeer Gul; Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology and Course Coordinator for the Refresher Course in Sciences, Dr Yahya Bakhtiyar, also spoke on the ocassion.

KR Desk