- Faculty from 20 countries converge at IIT Gandhinagar for two-week programme on the future of higher education
- ITEC initiative brings educators together on pedagogy, research, innovation and international academic collaboration
- Director Rajat Moona calls for partnerships that help institutions “grow” together through academic and cultural exchange
- Faculty roles, learner-centric education, STEM teaching and curriculum innovation take centre stage in knowledge-sharing programme
- Research Park, start-ups and Gujarat’s landmark institutions add an experiential dimension to India’s academic diplomacy
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, SEPT 14
When 20 countries meet in one classroom, education becomes more than a lesson—it becomes diplomacy in action. IIT Gandhinagar has transformed its campus into a vibrant Global South knowledge bridge by hosting a two-week Faculty Development Program for ASEAN and Global South under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Being held from September 14 to 25, the programme brings together faculty members and educators from Algeria, Bhutan, Cambodia, Ecuador, Egypt, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.
The programme seeks to create a shared platform where educators can exchange experiences and perspectives on the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, while exploring new approaches to teaching, research, innovation, institutional development and international collaboration.
A classroom without borders
Addressing the inaugural session, Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar, highlighted the importance of international academic engagement and described the programme as an opportunity for learning, cultural exchange and building enduring institutional relationships.
Encouraging participants to make the most of their time at IIT Gandhinagar, he said:
“There are quite a lot of new things to learn in this program. I hope this helps us develop interesting partnerships and build relationships that help us grow as institutions.”
Prof Moona also highlighted IIT Gandhinagar’s internationalisation efforts and encouraged the visiting faculty members to experience the academic and cultural diversity of Gujarat and India.
The programme thus seeks to go beyond conventional faculty training, creating avenues for long-term academic partnerships across the Global South.
Rethinking the faculty of tomorrow
Prof Amit Prashant, Dean of External Relations, IIT Gandhinagar, emphasised the value of bringing educators from diverse higher education systems together to share experiences, compare academic practices and identify opportunities for future collaboration.
He also underlined the changing role of faculty members in an increasingly technology-driven world, stressing the need to rethink educational programmes so that students are prepared not only with technical skills but also with the competencies and confidence required in evolving professional environments.
His observations dovetail with the programme’s session on ‘Role of Faculty in Future of Education’, which examines how teaching roles and educational approaches must evolve in response to technology, learners’ changing expectations and industry requirements.
Learning from each other
The international character of the programme is reflected strongly in the voices of its participants.
Dr Frank Mwamakula, Senior Lecturer, School of Education, St Augustine University, Tanzania, said: “For me, it has brought new insights that I can take back and adapt in my home institution, while also opening avenues for international cooperation in teaching and learning.”
Phan Thanh Huyen, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, emphasised the value of learning from the successes and challenges of other countries.
“We can learn from each other and avoid difficulties or problems that others have already faced.”
For Joel Mark Baysa Barredo, Miriam College, Philippines, the programme offered something deeper than academic exchange—the reassurance of a shared mission among educators across the Global South.
“Knowing that there are other human beings doing the same thing in the Global South reminds you that there is value in teaching and in shaping the minds of people.”
From active learning to start-up innovation
The academic sessions cover a wide spectrum of contemporary higher education themes, including ‘Role of Faculty in Future of Education’, ‘Active Learning in STEM Education’, ‘Learner-Centric Approaches for Online and Onsite Classrooms’ and ‘Innovations in Pedagogy and Curriculum’.
Research and innovation form another major pillar of the programme. Participants will gain insights into IIT Gandhinagar’s research ecosystem, support mechanisms and achievements, followed by interactions with research clusters and centres and visits to research facilities.
The programme also takes participants into the world of entrepreneurship through the innovation and incubation ecosystem at IIT Gandhinagar Research Park, interactions with incubated start-ups and a panel discussion on ‘Faculty and Startups: Building an Innovation-Driven Startup Ecosystem’.
Sessions on institutional administration and governance, alumni engagement, faculty development and support systems, student research mentorship and student well-being further broaden the programme’s scope.
Welcoming the world to Gandhinagar: Prof Amit Prashant, Dean of External Relations, IIT Gandhinagar, delivers the welcome remarks at the inaugural session of the two-week ITEC programme. — NE Photo
Gujarat becomes an extended classroom
The learning experience extends beyond the IIT Gandhinagar campus, with participants scheduled to visit some of Gujarat’s most significant cultural, historical and contemporary landmarks, including the Statue of Unity, Sabarmati Ashram, Rani Ki Vav, Modhera Sun Temple and Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).
The programme will conclude on September 25 with participant feedback and a valedictory function.
The inaugural session was moderated by Prof Ashutosh Srivastava, Co-Coordinator, who provided an overview of the programme. Prof Amit Prashant, Dean of External Relations, delivered the welcome remarks, followed by the address by Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar. Prof Sameer Patel, Co-Coordinator, proposed the vote of thanks.
The larger message emerging from Gandhinagar is unmistakable: when educators exchange knowledge across borders, institutions do not merely collaborate—they collectively expand the horizons of the next generation.
