ATAL Academy (Ministry of HRD) to find mention in World Book of Records, says Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal

New Delhi: The Hon’ble Education Minister, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on Monday inaugurated 46 online AICTE Training and Learning (ATAL) Academy Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) to train teachers of higher education institutions associated with the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) in thrust and emerging areas in technology. The FDPs will be conducted in 22 Indian states. On the occasion of the inauguration, the Hon’ble Minister said that it is a matter of pride for the ATAL Academy to be included in the World Book of Records. The London-based organization has recognized the FDPs as a world record, under which 1,000 online FDPs in over 100 emerging areas will benefit one lakh faculty members across premier institutions like IITs, NITs, and IIITs. This year the online FDP program will cost Rs 10 crores. According to the Hon’ble Minister, the ATAL Academy is conducting FDPs in online mode from registration till certificate disbursal mechanism. In the year 2020-21, new thrust areas in the field of Engineering, Management, Life Skills, Design & Media have been incorporated. The online FDPs will be conducted according to the new National Education Policy (2020). Speaking after inaugurating the 500th FDP, the Minister said, “Out of the 1,000, 499 FDPs are already completed with more than 70,000 faculty members already trained. In 2019-20, 185 five-day face-to-face FDPs in nine thrust areas — Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Block-chain, Robotics, Quantum Computing, Data Sciences, Cyber Security, 3D Printing & Design, and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality — benefited around 10,000 participants.” “Digital learning and the increasing use of smart devices such as computers, smart phones, and tablets have enhanced student learning.