COL-CEMCA and AVINUTY Host FDP on Technology-Enabled and Blended Learning
New Delhi, 27 August 2025
The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA) and the Academic and Administrative Development Centre of Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women (AVINUTY), Coimbatore, recently hosted a five-day online Faculty Development Programme (FDP) from 18–22 August 2025, focused on Technology-Enabled Learning (TEL) and Blended Learning and was attended by 100 faculty members from higher education institutions in India and abroad.
Dr Bharathi Harishankar, Vice Chancellor of AVINUTY, commended the collaboration with COL-CEMCA and highlighted the programme's importance in strengthening faculty capabilities while also urging them to foster greater collaboration and resource sharing to ensure equitable access to education.
Dr B. Shadrach, Director of COL-CEMCA, emphasised the need for institutions to adopt the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He also stressed the importance of embracing multidisciplinary approaches and integrating technology to drive academic transformation.
Dr Ranjana Parihar, Joint Secretary of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), outlined the objectives of the AADC initiative, highlighting the overwhelming response to the initiative's collaboration with COL-CEMCA.
Experts from COL-CEMCA delivered insightful sessions on key areas of contemporary education. The first session provided a comprehensive overview of the salient features of NEP 2020, setting the context for educational transformation. Following this, Dr Rajesh P. Khambayat introduced the concept and scope of TEL and its pivotal role in blended learning approaches. Dr Sheriya Sareen guided participants through the finer details of the institutional blended learning policy template, offering practical insights for its implementation. Dr Papiya Upadhaya shared valuable perspectives on the effective use of Open Educational Resources (OERs), Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and Learning Management Systems (LMSs) to enhance teaching and learning. The final session, led by Professor Nilesh K. Modi, briefed participants on the COL-CEMCA Graduate Employability Project, emphasising its relevance in aligning education with industry needs.
Dr B. Shadrach concluded the FDP by encouraging participants to: foster collaboration and peer learning; seek stronger institutional support for capacity building; prioritise the needs of 21st-century learners through dynamic teaching methods; and engage with COL-CEMCA to develop policies on OERs, TEL, blended learning, and employability. The FDP reaffirmed that the future of Indian higher education lies in creating technology-empowered, inclusive, and flexible learning ecosystems. Faculty must take the lead in this transformation by embracing digital fluency, lifelong learning, and innovative teaching practices to prepare 21st-century students for a rapidly evolving world.
