Amity University Haryana, Academic Staff College Conducts Five-Day Online Faculty Development Programme on Empower Higher Education Institutions in Technology-Enabled and Blended Learning
Organized by: Amity University Haryana | Amity Academic Staff College | CEMCA | Association of Indian Universities (AIU) | Academic and Administrative Development Centres
21 May 2025: In alignment with the transformative goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a Five-Day Online Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on “Empowering Higher Education Institutions in Technology-Enabled and Blended Learning” was inaugurated on 19th May 2025. The programme is a joint initiative by Amity University Haryana, Amity Academic Staff College, the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and Academic and Administrative Development Centres. The FDP witnessed participation from over 500 plus faculty members representing institutions across India and abroad.
The FDP aims to strengthen faculty capabilities in integrating Technology-Enabled Learning (TEL) and Blended Learning (BL) into higher education curricula. Key focus areas include the use of MOOCs, OERs, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Institutional Blended Learning Policies (IBLP) and strategies to boost academic collaboration and graduate employability.
Prof. (Dr.) P.B. Sharma, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Amity University Haryana, during his Inaugural Address, reflected on the evolution of education from the blackboard era to the digital age. Prof Sharma emphasized that technology has democratized access to knowledge and is transforming teaching, research and community engagement and he called for the ethical and responsible use of digital tools to nurture morally conscious and future-ready learners.
Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Madhukar, respected Pro Vice Chancellor, highlighted the shift towards blended and asynchronous learning models. Prof Madhukar underscored the importance of culturally inclusive, interactive content and the integration of AI and digital platforms to enhance student experience. Prof. (Dr.) Sanjna Vij, Professor at the Amity School of Liberal Arts and Deputy Director, Amity Academic Staff College, emphasized the need to empower both educators and students to navigate digital learning ecosystems with confidence, aligning pedagogy with real-world challenges. She also highlighted the importance of fostering critical thinking, adaptability and digital literacy as core components of 21st-century education
Dr. Ranjana Parihar, Joint Secretary, AIU, in her Special Address, stressed the importance of lifelong learning for educators. She reaffirmed AIU’s commitment to supporting faculty development in line with NEP 2020 and the changing dynamics of global education.
Delivering the Keynote Address, Dr. B. Shadrach, Director, CEMCA, described the integration of technology into education as both essential and inevitable. He advocated for a paradigm shift in teaching roles from knowledge dispensers to facilitators enabling learner autonomy, flexibility and multidisciplinary engagement.
The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Ravi Manuja, Registrar, Amity University Haryana, who expressed gratitude to all participating institutions, dignitaries and attendees. He highlighted the collaborative efforts behind this initiative and the significance of continuous engagement in reshaping the future of education.
The inaugural session marked a significant step toward building institutional capacity, fostering innovation and cultivating a culture of digital fluency and collaboration in Indian higher education.