Teaching-learning centre inaugurated at IUCAA

Pune: The first of its kind teaching-learning centre specifically catering for astronomy and astrophysics, called as  ‘Astronomy Centre for Educators’, was formally inaugurated at Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics by University Grants Commission Chairman DP Singh.

On this occasion, Singh said, “We expect that the centre will be functional by next year. To have such centres we need a push regarding human resource and infrastructure. We have perspective planning and will phase it out accordingly to make it a success.”

IUCAA Drector Somak Raychaudhury said, “The centre was started under Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Training (PMMMNMTT) of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

The PMMMNMTT scheme is mandated to address the shortcomings of teachers and teaching processes across the educational spectrum ranging from schools to higher education, including technical education. 

“One important component of this scheme is to set up many teaching-learning centres which will empower teachers and faculty in developing discipline-specific curriculum, generic skills  along with information and communications technology integrated training,” said Academic Coordinator Manojendu Choudhary.

He said, “IUCAA is the national nodal centre for the teaching-learning centre on astronomy and astrophysics. The ACE is being set up by IUCAA to enable teaching of these subjects at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. The ACE will undertake research in astronomy education to enrich the developmental work.”
 
IUCAA has also been identified as a National Resource Centre (NRC) under the PMMMNMTT, whose aim is upgrading of teachers who are able to enhance their potential and push the frontiers of knowledge through research, networking, and sharing of existing resources.

“Nearly 52 video lectures, 27 resource persons from 11 institutions are ready,” said Dhruba J Saikia, Founding Vice-Chancellor, Cotton University.