30-11-2024

DON BOSCO COLLEGE FACULTY EMPOWERED WITH AI AND WELL-BEING INSIGHTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Golaghat, Assam: Don Bosco College recently concluded a successful five-day international Faculty Development Program from 25/11/2024 to 29/11/2024  titled "AI and Well-being in Higher Education: Balancing Technology and Mental Health." The program, organized by the IQAC in collaboration with the Research Cell, aimed to equip faculty members, research scholars and students with the latest knowledge and skills in the field of artificial intelligence and student well-being. The five-day Faculty Development Programme was highly engaging and informative, equipping participants with strategies to integrate technology effectively in higher education while addressing mental health concerns. The interactive sessions provided valuable takeaways for fostering a balanced and student-centered learning environment.

On day one in  an inaugural speech by the Principal, Dr. Fr. Amaladoss, SDB who introduced the FDP and the first day resource person, Dr. J. Antony William, Professor at the School of Arts, Design, and Architecture, Aalto University, Finland. Dr J. Antony William delivered a session on “Creating a Digital Learning Environment for Asian Youth.” The session was highly interactive and engaging, providing valuable insights into the use of technology in education. In the question hour the participants cleared their doubts on various aspects of digital learning. On the second day of the FDP, the resource person, Dr. Y. Dominic Ravichandran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academics at DMI-St. Eugene University, Lusaka, Zambia, presented a lecture on “Cultivating Student-Centered Learning and Research Aptitude for Academic Excellence.” His session highlighted strategies for fostering an academic environment conducive to research and innovation. During the third day, Dr. Sr. Sumi Joseph, an expert in the NGO sector from Bangalore with over two decades of experience, was the resource person. Her session on “Prospects and Challenges of Well-being of Students in the Digital Age” addressed critical mental health issues arising in the digital era. While the fourth day of the session Dr. Raja, a distinguished academic from GCU University, USA, presented on “Leadership Perspective: Student and Teacher Interaction.” His lecture provided valuable insights into fostering positive and effective communication between students and faculty. Fr. Xavier M., SDB, Rector and Secretary of Don Bosco College, Kohima, Nagaland, delivered on the fifth day the concluding session on “Leadership Perspective: Student and Teacher Interaction.”  The focus was exploring the impact of AI on higher education and discussing ethical considerations.  The outcome was aimed to help the participants to gain a deeper understanding of AI technologies, their potential applications in education, and the ethical implications of their use. Key Takeaways from the Program: Harnessing the Power of AI: Participants gained insights into the potential of AI in enhancing teaching and learning processes. Experts discussed innovative ways to integrate AI tools into classrooms, fostering personalized and effective education. Prioritizing Student Well-being: The program emphasized the importance of addressing students' mental health concerns in the digital age. Strategies to identify signs of distress, provide timely support, and create a conducive learning environment were shared. Fostering Student-Centered Learning: Faculty members were inspired to adopt student-centered approaches that empower learners. The program highlighted the significance of active learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Leadership and Collaboration: The sessions explored leadership roles in higher education, emphasizing the importance of effective communication, teamwork, and collaboration between faculty, students, and administrators. The program received overwhelming positive feedback from participants, who expressed gratitude for the knowledge and skills gained. Don Bosco College Golaghat remains committed to providing continuous professional development opportunities for its faculty, research scholars and students ensuring that they are well-prepared to meet the evolving needs of higher education.