Human Resource Development Cell (HRDC) the erstwhile Academic Staff College of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) is expanding its horizon. Everybody knows HRD Cell trains the teachers of university and its affiliated colleges. Dr C G Dethe, its Director, who has taken charge in 2014, is taking all pains to introduce new things into the HRDCs fold, tried to bring other courses so that people from other sectors too get benefitted. Dr Dethe while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ said, “We had sensed the digital transformation in higher education very early and since 2015-16 started giving emphasis on sessions on information communication technology (ICT). First of all, our staff members were offered training of MOOC, Moodle etc. at National Institute of Education Planning and Administration (NIEPA) New Delhi. This has made the implementation of sessions on digital education very easy. We started introducing Mooc, Moodle, e-content development sessions compulsorily in almost all the courses conducted by HRDC. Further, we have introduced special courses on Moodle for our participants.

 

More emphasis is given on the hands-on sessions. Further, the evaluation of the participants is also done using Moodle so that they get a feel for it.” Though Dr Dethe says, digital platform has eased the system, he also feels, on-line platform does not serve the purpose that offline class does. But HRD Cell has to go with the world. “On-line flipped classrooms, blended learning, experiential learning pedagogies were adapted to train them. We have not only limited our training on Moodle to our participants but also offered it to various colleges in and around city. In tune with New Education Policy 2020, HRDC has conducted on-line course on Science, Technology, Yoga and Meditation, which was a unique experience. HRDC is will give emphasis on training courses like Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, Academic leadership etc.,” pointed out Dr Dethe. Dr Dethe said, “Teaching aspect is very much important in our education. Students always feel that they should not miss the teachers’ class. HRD Cell is adding knowledge to the kitty of teachers during refresher courses.

 

When we train teachers we too have to update and upgrade our knowledge. Attending training at NUEPA was one of those efforts. I must admit that HRDC enjoys the support of Vice-Chancellor Dr Subhash Choudhari and the University administration.” The HRD Cell conducts Faculty Induction Programme (FIP), refresher courses, leadership development programmes, train the trainer programmes, soft skill programmes. “Finally, teaching is a skill that has its roots from within. Outer training may not help because it is the question of involvement with interest. This is the ground reality. Teacher may get upgraded technologically but the core of teaching is altogether different aspect,” admitted Dr Dethe. n