Revamping the paradigms of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) can help TVET leaders cultivate skills essential to the workforce in alignment with emerging technologies and industry demands caused by technological advancements, demographic shifts, and environmental changes. In continuous efforts to prepare TVET for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0), the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), in collaboration with the National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research (NITTTR), Bhopal, hosted the Regional Program on Empowering TVET: A Regional Initiative on Future Skills and Emerging Technologies from November 11 to 15, 2024 at NITTTR Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. The participants comprised 18 TVET institute officials from Bhutan, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Maldives, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
With the supervision of CPSC Director General Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja, and NITTTR Bhopal Director Prof. Chandru Charu Tripathi, the training program was crafted to equip TVET professionals and institutions with future skills and knowledge vital to innovating training methods, curriculum design, and skills delivery. The program also aimed to guide the participants toward being visionary leaders capable of producing a globally competitive, sustainable, and skilled TVET workforce.
The five-day program officially commenced on November 11, 2024, through an opening ceremony led by CPSC and NITTTR Bhopal officials. Prof. Rajesh Khambayat extended his greetings to the guests and participants in his welcome remarks, while Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen gave a brief overview of the program. The program supervisors also delivered their messages, highlighting the need for a skilled workforce and improving teaching skills. Prof. Tripathi said in his opening remarks that India has been putting a high regard on TVET due to the increasing employment opportunities it offers students. However, with the rising demand for skills, TVET educators must keep up by incorporating problem-based learning into skills delivery, said Prof. Dr. Dhameja in his special remarks. As Dr. Karunesh Kumar Shukla, Director of MANIT, Bhopal, shared during his inaugural address as the Chief Guest of the program, practical knowledge is essential in acquiring valuable skills.
Shortly after the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. Dhameja presented a special lecture titled “Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals through TVET.” In the lecture, he discussed the role of TVET in bridging the SDGs to education and employment while addressing issues of poverty, inequality, sustainability, and unemployment.
The program also consisted of theme paper presentations and workshops facilitated by NITTTR Professors Dr. Manish Bhargava from the Department of Technical Vocational Education and Research, Dr. Vipin K. Tripathi from the Mechanical Engineering Department, and Dr. Ramesh Gupta Burela from the Civil Engineering Department, including Prof. Khambayat and Dr. Kesavan.
As part of this regional initiative, CPSC and NITTTR Bhopal organized the International Seminar on Empowering TVET via Future Skills and Emerging Technologies in the 21st Century, held on November 13, 2024. The seminar included sessions on Smart Readiness Index @ SIRI IR 4.0 and Pedagogical Approaches in Emerging Trends, which were respectively presented by Prof. Tripathi and Prof. Dhiraj Kumar, Former Director of the National Institute of Design, Madhya Pradesh (NIDMP). Prof. Dr. Dhameja also presented a keynote lecture on Leadership and Change Management in Empowering TVET.
Furthermore, study visits were also conducted to extend the learning experience for the participants. The participants were able to explore the infrastructure, operations, and the metro rail system of the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) in Bhopal, India. The participants also visited the Global Skills Park, the first multi-skills park in India that imparts advanced job-ready skills training of international standards.
Group photo during the closing ceremony
In the closing ceremony, Prof. Khambayat expressed his appreciation towards the participants and program organizers for their invaluable support and contributions throughout the program implementation. Dr. Kesavan then summarized the program, highlighting takeaways from the sessions. Some participants also shared their learnings and insights gained from the lectures and workshops. Lastly, Prof. Tripathi extended his congratulations to everyone as the five-day training program successfully concluded.
