SRINAGAR: The Six-day long Faculty Development Program (FDP) on Social Commitment and Evaluating Impact in Community - Institution Engagement concluded on Saturday at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar.

The FDP was organized by the Faculty Development Centre Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education Department of Higher Education (MGNCRE), Ministry of Education GOI, in collaboration with Regional Coordinating Institute, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) NIT Srinagar.

The valedictory ceremony was presided over by Prof. G.A. Harmain, Professor, HAG, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Srinagar, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

Addressing the participants, Prof. Harmain said Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is inspired by the vision of transformational change in rural development processes by leveraging knowledge institutions to help build the architecture of an Inclusive India.

"The mission of this program is to enable higher educational institutions to work with the people of rural India in identifying development challenges and evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth," he said.

Prof. M.F. Wani, RCI-UBA Coordinator, Dean (R&C), NIT Srinagar said briefed about the activities of UBA in the region and highlighted the theme of the FDP Mentoring Institutional Social Responsibility and facilitation for community engagement.

He said the main goal of UBA is to foster a new dialogue within the larger community on science, society, and the environment and to develop a sense of dignity and collective destiny.

In his message, Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. (Dr) Rakesh Sehgal said the main aim of this FDP was to invite faculty from across the country that are keen to bring innovative changes in their respective organizations through leadership skills.

"The main aim of UBA is to create a virtuous cycle between society and an inclusive academic system by providing knowledge and practices for emerging professions," he said.

Institute's Registrar, Prof. Syed Kaiser Bukhari said the mission of such programs is to enable higher educational institutions to work on the ground level in identifying development challenges and evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth.

"There are huge developmental disconnects between the rural and urban sectors and we need to bridge that gap," he said adding that NIT Srinagar will continue to support such programs on campus, so that everyone will benefit from these initiatives.

Addressing the gathering, Sudheer Kumar, MGNCRE FDP Coordinator, Hyderabad said by linking work and education has earned MGNCRE the prestigious UNESCO Chair on experiential learning, work education, and community engagement.

"We have recognized, certified, and awarded 400 Higher Education Institutions with District Green Champion Awards as part of its Swachhta Action Plan activities. The Council seeks to usher in rural change and inclusive growth in India as a catalyst organization," he said.

Kumar expressed his gratitude to Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Sehgal, Prof. M.F. Wani, RCI-UBA Coordinator, Dean (R&C), and Registrar NIT Srinagar, Prof. Bukhari for their unconditional support during the FDP.

In his welcome address, Coordinator of FDP, Dr. Tanveer Rasool briefed about the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Scheme and Mentoring Institutional Social Responsibility and Facilitation for Community Engagement.

Dr. Leela Manohar Aeshala, Asst.Prof and Dr. Tanveer Rasool, Asst. Prof from Department of Chemical Engineering were the coordinators of the event.

Chief Guest, Prof. G.A. Harmain, RCI-UBA Coordinator, Dean (R&C), Prof. M.F. Wani, Sh. Sudheer Kumar, MGNCRE FDP Coordinator, Dr. Shankar Rao, Dr. Tanveer Rasool, and Dr. Leela Manohar were felicitated with the mementos in the valedictory ceremony.

Later certificates were distributed to participants and student volunteers by the organizers.

About 25 delegates from across the country participated in the FDP. While students from the 3rd-semester Chemical Engineering department actively volunteered in the program.

The valedictory ceremony was concluded by Assistant Prof. Dr. Leela Manohar by presenting a vote of thanks to the dignitaries and guests.

He expressed his gratitude to Chairman MGNCRE, Dr. W G Prasanna KumarDirector NIT Srinagar, Prof. M.F. Wani, and Institute's Registrar, Prof. Bukhari for supporting the mega FDP at NIT Srinagar.