The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has announced the launch of the ATAL Academy Faculty Development Programme 2023-24, a visionary step towards transforming the higher education system in India. The ATAL portal and plan were officially launched by Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, who emphasised the need to train faculty members with the skills and knowledge required for Education 4.0. This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 and aims to empower educators to become effective teachers, researchers, innovators, and leaders in their respective fields.
As part of the ATAL Academy, faculty members will have access to high-quality Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) covering technical and non-technical domains. AICTE-approved institutions can conduct offline FDPs in various fields, including Engineering, Management, Computer Application, Arts and Crafts, Life Skill Development, Indian Knowledge System, Universal Human Values, and more. These programs will encompass domain knowledge, industry connections, teaching skills, research abilities, life skills, community well-being, and career development.
Speaking about the initiative, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, said:
The ATAL Academy FDPs is a visionary step towards transforming the higher education system in India in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020. The ATAL Academy will empower faculty members to become effective teachers, researchers, innovators, and leaders in their respective fields. The ATAL Academy will also foster a culture of lifelong learning among faculty members and enhance their professional growth.
In convergence with the ATAL Academy launch, AICTE, in collaboration with Arm Education and STMicroelectronics, has also unveiled the second edition of the “Inventors Challenge-2023.” This contest seeks innovative ideas under the theme of Sustainability across four sub-themes: Good Health and well-being, Clean Energy, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, and Sustainable Cities and Communities. Faculty members and engineering students pursuing Diploma, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate courses are eligible to participate in teams of one faculty member and up to four students.
Vice Chairman AICTE, Dr Abhay Jere, added:
The ATAL Academy is a unique platform providing faculty members access to high-quality FDPs on various topics relevant to Education 4.0. The ATAL Academy will also enable faculty members to network with peers and experts from different domains and sectors. The ATAL Academy will create a pool of competent and confident faculty members who can contribute to developing a knowledge society.
The contest, officially launched by Prof. T.G. Sitharam, builds upon the success of the previous edition and demonstrates AICTE’s commitment to industry-academia knowledge sharing. The competition contributes to India’s efforts to establish a robust semiconductor ecosystem and become a global electronics manufacturing and design hub. The deadline for idea submissions is August 10, 2023.
The AICTE Act was constituted to provide for the establishment of an All India Council for Technical Education with a view to proper planning and coordinated development of a technical education system throughout the country, the promotion of qualitative improvements of such education about planned quantitative growth, and regulation & proper maintenance of norms and standards in the technical education system and for the matters connected in addition to that. The purview of AICTE (the Council) covers technical education programmes, including training and research in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Town Planning, Management, Pharmacy, Applied Arts and Crafts, Hotel Management, Catering Technology etc., at different levels.
