MHRD has selected Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) as the National Resource Centre (NRC) for conducting Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching (ARPIT) through MOOC’s on Swayam in Arts, History, Political Science and History of Indian Science and Technology.
“The online programme to begin from September 1, 2019, will provide teachers access to latest developments in their fields and encourage pedagogical improvements,” says Madhav Govind, director, UGC-Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC), JNU.
“With the government targeting to train around 5 lakh faculty in higher education through ARPIT 2019 courses (45 in all), JNU hopes to train around 6,000 teachers in the online mode. We get around 1,000 applications for Professional Development Training Programme of teachers in the offline mode where there are limitations in terms of classroom seating capacity. Through ARPIT, we are expecting 4-5 times the number, since there would be few infrastructural and geographical barriers,” says Govind.
There is an acute digital divide in the country and many teachers in the far-flung areas work without internet and computers. “All government and central colleges and universities across the country, however, have access to the internet as well as the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) platform provided by UGC,” he adds.
Teachers who will register will have to complete the program by December 31, 2019. “On completion of the course, teachers will have to appear for an evaluation exam conducted by NTA on February 9, 2020,” Govind adds.
Tags: Jawaharlal Nehru University
Mhrd
National Resource Centre
Arpit Program
Swayam Program
Mooc
Distance Education
