Times News NetworkKanpur: The Residential Teachers’ Training workshop on “Technology, innovation and dialogue based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020” was inaugurated on Sunday at IIT Kanpur. The workshop is jointly organised by Vidya Bharati Kanpur Prant, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, and Vigyan Bharati, Brahmavart Prant to strengthen teachers’ professional competencies in line with the vision of NEP 2020.Addressing the inaugural session, chief guest Yatindra, national joint general secretary, Vidya Bharati, highlighted Vidya Bharati’s pioneering role in promoting multidisciplinary education rooted in Indian knowledge systems, values, and culture. He emphasized that NEP 2020 provides an opportunity to integrate India’s rich educational heritage with contemporary scientific and technological advancements.Guest of honour Prof. Manindra Agrawal, director, IIT Kanpur, spoke about the remarkable achievements of Indian youth in the fields of science and technology. He also highlighted the growing contribution of Indian start-ups in the defence sector, noting that many innovative companies are working alongside DRDO in developing advanced indigenous defence technologies.Presiding over the programme, Ayodhya Prasad underlined the importance of such workshops in enhancing teachers’ professional skills, pedagogical excellence, and leadership abilities.Prof. Sunil Misra delivered an inspiring message to the participants, stating, “Be a teacher, be a change maker or be a slave.” He encouraged educators to become catalysts for positive transformation in society.Following the inaugural session, Prof. J. Ramkumar delivered the first technical session on “The role of STEM education in the perspective of NEP 2020,” emphasizing experiential learning, innovation, and interdisciplinary education.The second session was conducted by Prof. ARK Verma, who discussed teachers’ responsibilities, well-being, and effective communication, stressing the importance of emotionally resilient and inspiring educators.In the third session, the participants visited the Flight Laboratory at IIT Kanpur, where they gained insights into advanced aerospace research and aviation technologies.During the fifth session, Padma Shri Prof. H. C. Verma interacted with teachers from schools affiliated with Vidya Bharati Kanpur Prant. He encouraged teachers to make science education more engaging, activity-based, and concept-driven while responding to participants’ questions.The sixth session featured a live demonstration of innovative physics experiments by the Shiksha Sopan team led by Amit Bajpai, showcasing simple yet impactful classroom activities.The seventh session brought together several startup founders, who shared their entrepreneurial journeys, challenges, and success stories, inspiring teachers to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship among students.Teachers from various schools across the region actively participated in the workshop and appreciated the programme for its practical insights, academic excellence, and focus on innovation-driven education aligned with the vision of NEP 2020.
