A six-day Regional Program on ‘TVET for Sustainable and Inclusive Development’ was jointly organized by the Colombo Plan Staff College for Technician Education (CPSC), Manila, Philippines and National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research (NITTTR), Chandigarh from 27 May – 01 June, 2013 at NITTTR, Chandigarh, Republic of India.
The program aims to achieve the following objectives: (1) developing current understanding on sustainable development in the context of TVET, (2) appraising strategies and issue in integrating sustainability aspects into TVET; (3) developing awareness about changing workplace requirements for green jobs; (4) understanding social entrepreneurship to promote eco-friendly technology-based solutions; and (5) developing action based plan for more meaningful interventions.
Seventeen (17) senior administrators and TVET experts from CPSC member countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, and Sri Lanka participated in the program.
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Dr. MP Poonia, Director of NITTTR Chandigarh, highlighted the importance and role of TVET for sustainable and inclusive development. In line with this he presented several models for sustainable development that were appreciated by all participants.
In his inaugural address, Dr. RK Kohli, Vice-Chancellor of the DAV University, Jalandhar stressed that environment sustainability and development should go hand in hand. He stressed that there is still a need to formulate the strategies and models while pursuing sustainable development. He also raised some of the important issues such as reclamation of natural resources, environment vs economic development and change of mindset at different levels starting from policy makers to implementers.
Apart from lectures and workshops, the participants also embarked on scheduled visits to local social entrepreneurial projects industries focusing on the clean and green technology projects. This is to further expose the participants to workplace practices and projects with showcasing sustainable TVET achievements.
To complement the program objectives and to reach a wider audience, an international seminar was conducted on May 31 in conjunction with the program. The seminar covered the theme "Current Practices and Emerging Issues of Sustainable Development in TVET". Paper presenters include Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub, CPSC Director General, Mr. Chandra Mohan, former Vice Chairman of Punjab Tractors Ltd., Dr. Ashok Kumar, CEO of CleanTech International Funding, New Delhi, Munish Aggarwal of the Sinochem Pharmaceuticals, India and Dr. JS Saini Professor and Head, from the Department of Rural Development, NITTTR Chandigarh, India.
Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub, CPSC Director General, provided overall supervision of the program. Dr. Hazrat Hussain, Faculty Consultant, CPSC, who acted as Program Coordinator, highlighted the program’s relevance to the increasing concern on sustainability and inclusiveness of the global economy. Dr. Suresh K. Dhameja, Professor and Head, IMCO department of NITTTR Chandigarh, supervised the local arrangements for the program as the Local Coordinator.
