The State government has identified Bharathidasan University as a nodal centre for implementation of Saksham, a faculty empowerment programme to be imparted with support from Microsoft Corporation (India) pvt. Ltd.
According to a university press release the programme to impart ICT skills to non-IT teachers of higher learning institutions was in keeping with the Chief Minister’s vision to consolidate Tamil Nadu’s position as a destination of choice for investments in IT and IT Enabled Services.
Saksham was one of the programmes such as Shiksha Pragati, Bizpark and ISpark envisaged under the aegis of IIT Academy in Chennai established under a MoU that the State government entered into in 2005 when Bill Gates visited Chennai.
Earlier this year, Jean-Phillippe Courtois, president, Microsoft International, held a discussion with the Chief Minister to take the initiative of ‘Education through ICT’ forward with the objectives of building connectivity and knowledge network among and within institutions of higher learning in the country.
The programme, according to a press release issued by Bharathidasan University, will facilitate students to acquire globally certified skills and encourage entrepreneurship.
The curriculum for Saksham will be transacted through a 10-day workshop featuring a blend of theory, experiential learning, micro labs, group discussions, motivational team building and leadership enhancing games. The university has nominated K. Balasubramani, assistant professor, Department of Geography, School of Geosciences, as nodal officer of the university. Twenty five faculty members belonging to diverse disciplines in the university and its constituent colleges have been identified as participants of the 10-day programme slated for commencement on June 21.
Vice-Chancellor K. Meena will inaugurate the programme in the presence of Shivani Sahai, Programme Manager – Saksham, Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt Limited.
