Need to constantly upgrade skills for Atmanirbhar Bharat: Former IAS Officer Shamim Uddin

Bhopal (February 17) Expressing concern over the shortage of skilled manpower in the country, former IAS officer and Senior Director of Global Skill Park (Bhopal) Shamim Uddin has emphasized that individuals must continuously upgrade their skills to remain relevant in the age of artificial intelligence.

Speaking as a chief guest at the national seminar on “Role of Skill Education in Empowering the Youth for Atmanirbhar Bharat” organized by MANUU College of Teacher Education-Bhopal here at its lush green campus, Mr. Shamim Uddin spoke about the ‘skill gap paradox”. He noted that vocation education is provided to nearly 52 percent of youth in the US, 75 percent in Germany, 96 percent in South Korea, while in India it is less than 5 percent.

Mr. Shamim Uddin emphasized that in the era of artificial intelligence, continuous skill up-gradation is essential to remain relevant.

                                                                Unveiling of Souvenir at national seminar

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. M Vanaja, Dean, School of Education and Training, MANUU, said education must be made relevant to contemporary times. She said education has to evolve with changing societal demands and therefore teachers also have to adapt.

Prof. Rajesh P Khambayat from the National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research, Bhopal, stated that due to lack of desired skills, many graduates remain unemployable. He emphasized the value of skills, saying “Skill Hai to Kal Hai, Hunar Hai to Qadra Hai”

Prof. Noushad Husain, the Organizing Secretary of the seminar, stated that the youth have immense potential to transform the country, if they are equipped with quality education along with relevant skills.

Briefing the reports in the valedictory session, Dr. Jaki Mumtaj, the Convener of the national seminar, said as many as 140 papers were presented by the participants representing different parts of the country.

Guests of Honour included Dr. Ayesha Ali, Registrar, M.P. State Council of Homeopathy; Prof. M. Vanaja, Dean, School of Education and Training, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad; and Prof. Ratnmala Arya, Dean (Extension Education), Regional Institute of Education, NCERT Bhopal.

Special guests and key speakers included Dr. Hina Arshad, Head, School of Design at Rabindra Nath Tagore University, Bhopal; Ms. Kuhoo Sharma, Chief Finance Officer, Daulat Ram Engineering Services Limited; and Prof. Madhushree Sekher, Dean, School of Skill Education, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

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Educationist Advocates Women’s Empowerment in STEM for Viksit Bharat@2047

Bhopal (September 10):  Advocating for women’s empowerment as a key driver of India’s transformation into a developed nation, renowned educationist Prof. Renu Yadav today called for active involvement of women in all spheres of national development, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

 

Prof. Renu Yadav, from the Department of Teacher Education at the Central University of Haryana, emphasized that half of the population cannot be left behind if India aims to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

“In order to enable India to reach the top position globally, it is extremely important that every stakeholder is equally engaged in every field so they can contribute to the development process of our nation,” Prof. Renu Yadav remarked during her address on the theme “Stemming the Tide: Women Leading Change.”

 

Prof. Yadav was delivering an extension lecture organized by the College of Teacher Education-Bhopal (a constituent college of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad) to mark International Literacy Day.

Prof. Renu Yadav addressing at MANUU CTE-Bhopal

Reflecting on the progress made since India’s independence, Prof. Renu Yadav noted that the country has witnessed “tremendous growth” in both education and workplace participation. However, she pointed out the persisting gender gap in STEM, citing UNESCO data which reveals that women constitute only 35 percent of students in higher education in STEM disciplines.

“Access to education is available today, but access alone is not enough. We must ensure that women are not only able to pursue education but are also enabled and encouraged to contribute meaningfully in their respective fields for nation-building,” she stressed.

Prof. Renu Yadav highlighted that empowering women in these critical areas will not only foster gender equality but also accelerate India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

 

Prof. Noushad Husain, Principal of MANUU College of Teacher Education-Bhopal, welcomed Prof. Renu Yadav and underlined the importance of such deliberations.

Prof. Noushad Husain welcoming Prof. Renu Yadav

The programme drew a large audience, with students, research scholars, and faculty members actively participating in the session.

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MANUU to host Symposium on “Viksit Bharat@2047 & Role of Distance and Online Education” on April 26

 Bhopal, 24^th April 2025: To support India’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) Regional Centre-Bhopal is organizing a one-day symposium on Saturday in the City of Lakes. The event will focus on how distance and online education can play a key role in making quality education accessible to all and in helping the country become developed, inclusive, and knowledge-driven society.

 

The symposium, titled “Viksit Bharat@2047 and Role of Distance and Online Education,” will be held at the MANUU Bhopal campus, located in the heart of the city. It is being jointly organized by MANUU Regional Centre-Bhopal and Kasturba Girls College-Bhopal.

 

Speaking to media persons here today, Dr. Mohammad Ahsan, Regional Director of MANUU Regional Centre-Bhopal, said, “The event will highlight how distance and online education can be powerful tools for spreading knowledge widely and playing a crucial role in national development.”

 

Dr. Ahsan also shared that Prof. Razaullah Khan, Director of MANUU’s Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), will preside over the symposium on 26^th April. The Chief Guest will be Mr. Shameemuddin (IAS), Former Senior Director of Global Skill Park, Government of Madhya Pradesh.

 

Special Guests at the event include Mufti Mohammad Ahmad Khan, Ameer-e-Shariat and Mufti-e-Azam of Madhya Pradesh, and Maulana Ali Qadr Hussaini, Deputy Qazi of Bhopal.

 

Dr. Mohammad Ahsan said the symposium also seeks to promote awareness about the significance of distance and online education, while contributing to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 target of raising the Gross Enrollment Ratio in higher education to 50% by the year 2035.

 

The event is expected to draw participation from students, scholars, researchers, and intellectuals from various parts of the city.

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MANUU CTE-Bhopal to organize national workshop on AI-driven teaching practices on Feb. 15

 Bhopal, 14 February 2025: Aiming to equip educators with the necessary skills to integrate Artificial Intelligence in teaching-learning process, College of Teacher Education-Bhopal (a constituent college of Maulana Azad National Urdu University) is set to organize a one-day workshop on “Transforming the Classroom Practices with AI” tomorrow. 

“This workshop aims to equip educators with the necessary skills to integrate artificial intelligence into teaching, learning, and assessment, fostering a more dynamic and technology-driven educational environment,” workshop director Prof. Noushad Husain said here today.

Prof. Noushad Husain, also the Principal of MANUU College of Teacher Education-Bhopal, informed the media that the workshop is designed to sensitize and orient teachers about the growing importance of artificial intelligence in education.

Stating about the objectives of the workshop, workshop convener Dr. Indrajeet Dutta informed that participants from across the country are going to participate in the workshop. He said the workshop will help participants familiarize with AI tools that can enhance classroom practices.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jaki Mumtaj, who is the coordinator of the workshop, said the national workshop will provide hands-on experience in developing AI-based pedagogical strategies and assessments. “The event is aimed to explore the role of artificial intelligence in transforming teaching, learning, and assessment methodologies,” Dr. Jaki Mumtaj opined.

The workshop is exclusively designed for teachers working in higher education institutions across the country, helping them stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital education landscape.

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Prof. Noushad Husain calls for women’s financial independence for inclusive society

Bhopal, 29 January 2025: Emphasizing the importance of financial literacy in women's empowerment, Prof. Noushad Husain, a renowned educationist and Principal of MANUU College of Teacher Education-Bhopal, stated that empowering women economically is not just about economic growth but about building an inclusive society.

“Empowering women financially is not just about economic growth; it is about creating an inclusive society where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive,” said Prof. Noushad Husain in his presidential address at a workshop.

Prof. Noushad Husain (Principal, MANUU CTE-Bhopal) delivering presidential address

Highlighting the importance of women contribution in the national development, Prof. Noushad (also the organizing secretary of the Workshop) opined that our country cannot achieve full development until the contributions of all women are fully recognized and ensured.

The one day workshop on “Women’s Financial Independence for Viksit Bharat@2047” was organized here on 27^th January 2025 by MANUU College of Teacher Education-Bhopal (a constituent college of Maulana Azad National Urdu University) in collaboration with the Gram Panchayat of Kurana village (Bhopal).

Speaking at the event, workshop convener Dr. Shabbir Ahmed stated, “As India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, it is essential to unlock the potential of women by addressing challenges such as limited access to resources, financial literacy, and social constraints, especially in rural areas.”

Workshop convener Dr. Shabbir Ahmed at the workshop

The workshop primarily focused on empowering women and enhancing their financial independence. Household women from nearby villages participated to gain financial literacy, enabling them to make independent financial decisions and contribute to national development.

Mr. Babulal Mandloi, Up Sarpanch of the Kurana Gram Panchayat, also graced the occasion as a chief guest. He said this is the first time when a college like MANUU CTE-Bhopal has organised such a workshop, a community engagement initiative for bridging the gap between academic institutions and the community.

Resource persons for the workshop were Ms. Kumud Singh, a social worker & Founder Member of Sarokar (an NGO), and Ms. Saumya Jain, Co-founder of Ecocradle Essentials LLP. During the technical session of the workshop, the resource persons encouraged the women to involve in the economic activities and provide the experiences through hands-on activities with their motivational speech.

Over 60 rural women participated in the workshop. All of them were engaged in the activities and actively participated in the whole session of the workshop. This workshop concluded successfully at Kurana Gram Panchayat Bhawan.

Participants from Kurana Gram Panchayat at the workshop

Dr. Mohammad  Hasan was the co-convener of the workshop, while Dr. Shaikh Irfan Jamil and Dr. Akhlesh Kumar Meena were Coordinator and Co-coordinator, respectively. The workshop was hosted by Dr. Shabana Ashraf and Dr. Tarannum Khan (Assistant Professor, MANUU CTE-Bhopal).

Among those present in the workshop were Prof. Abdul Raheem, Dr. Talmeez Fatma Naqvi, Dr. Naushad Husain, Dr. Sakkeer V, Dr. Jaki Mumtaj, Dr. Bhanu Pratap Pritam, Dr. Neeti Dutta, Dr. Pravini Pandagale, Mr. Mohd Faisal, Mr. Saifuddin  Ansari, The workshop was concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. Pravini Pandagle.

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MANUU CTE-Bhopal to organize One-Day Workshop on Women’s Financial Independence

A Community Engagement Initiative by MANUU College of Teacher Education-Bhopal in Collaboration with Kurana Gram Panchayat

Bhopal, 26 January 2025: In a significant step towards fostering women’s empowerment and financial independence, College of Teacher Education-Bhopal (a constituent college of Maulana Azad National Urdu University) in collaboration with the Kurana Gram Panchayatis set to organize a one-day workshop titled “Women’s Financial Independence for Viksit Bharat@2047.”

The workshop, scheduled to take place on January 27 (Monday) at the Gram Panchayat Bhawan in Kurana village, aims to engage and empower local women by addressing the challenges they face in achieving financial autonomy.

The event is expected to see participation from women of Kurana village and neighboring areas, local self-help groups, and community leaders.

Speaking about the workshop, Prof. Noushad Husain, Principal of MANUU CTE-Bhopal, expressed confidence that the workshop will inspire and enable women to take charge of their financial future.

“Empowering women financially is not just about economic growth; it is about creating an inclusive society where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive,” stated Prof. Noushad Husain who is also the Organizing Secretary of the workshop.

Through this initiative, MANUU CTE-Bhopal aims to create awareness, build confidence, and equip women with practical tools to achieve self-sufficiency and contribute to the national development goals.

Financial independence is essential for enabling individuals to make informed choices, secure their future, and lead a life of dignity. For women, in particular, financial empowerment plays a pivotal role in ensuring household stability, economic growth, and societal development.

"As India envisions becoming a developed nation by 2047, it is crucial to harness the potential of women by overcoming barriers such as limited access to resources, financial literacy, and social constraints, particularly in rural areas," workshop convener Dr. Shabbir Ahmed opined.

The workshop will provide participants with insights into financial management, entrepreneurship, and access to government welfare schemes, he stated.

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Promote Urdu-Medium Education for Multilingual Success: NCPUL Director Urges Intellectuals

Bhopal, 05 October 2024: Referring to Osmania University, Hyderabad where medical and engineering courses were once taught in Urdu, NCPUL Director Dr. Shams Iqbal on Saturday emphasized the importance of multilingual education in today's world, urging the intellectual to promote and expand Urdu-medium education as much as possible.

“It is the need of the hour for the intellectual to think about providing education in Urdu language. Though challenges are there, but at least, at elementary level education can be offered in Urdu medium as the same has been emphasized upon in the NEP 2020,” Dr. Shams Iqbal opined while addressing a day-long National Seminar here in Bhopal.

NCPUL Director Dr. Shams Iqbal addressing the national seminar

The National Seminar on “Urdu Medium Education in Present Technological Scenario with reference to NEP 2020” was organized by the National Council for the Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) Campus Bhopal here at its lush green campus.

Dr. Shams Iqbal emphasized the need to integrate Urdu with modern technology to ensure its widespread promotion and relevance in today's digital age. He stressed that by embracing technological advancements, Urdu could reach a broader audience, especially the younger generation, and play a more prominent role in education.

Speaking at the event, MANUU Registrar Prof. Sk. Ishtiaq Ahmad, who joined the national seminar virtually from MANUU headquarters in Hyderabad, expressed concern over CBSE's latest decision requiring students to write answers only in Hindi and English. He highlighted that this move excludes Urdu, which directly impacts Urdu-medium students, particularly those from MANUU model schools.

MANUU currently operates three model schools in Darbhanga (Bihar), Nuh (Haryana), and Falaknuma (Hyderabad), where education is offered in the Urdu medium.

MANUU Registrar Prof. Sk. Ishtiaq Ahmad address at national seminar

Prof. Ishtiaq Ahmad urged all stakeholders, particularly NCPUL Director Dr. Shams Iqbal, to address the issue and protect the interests of Urdu-medium students. He highlighted that this move contradicts the NEP 2020, which supports school education in regional languages or the mother tongue.

Prof. A. R. Fathi from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, delivered the keynote address, stating that the national seminar on this topic is a step toward dreaming big. However, he emphasized the need to first bridge the digital divide, especially in terms of improving infrastructure.

Prof. A. R. Fathi delivery key note address

At the start of the national seminar, Prof. Muhammad Ahsan, Regional Director of MANUU Regional Centre-Bhopal, delivered the welcome address. He noted that technological advancements have transformed education, creating both new opportunities and challenges.

MANUU Regional Director Dr. Muhammad Ahsan delivering welcome address

Prof. Noushad Husain, Principal of MANUU College of Teacher Education in Bhopal, was also present at the event and chaired one of the sessions. Additionally, numerous scholars and experts from across the country participated in the national seminar, benefiting from the thought-provoking discussions on key topics of significance. 

Participants listening to experts at national seminar

The inaugural session of the national seminar was hosted by Dr. Iqbal Masood, former Deputy Secretary of the Urdu Academy in Bhopal. Dr. Shama Kauser Yazdani, Assistant Director (Academic) at NCERT, delivered the vote of thanks.

After the inaugural session, two technical sessions took place, featuring the presentation of 10 research papers by the authors.

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NCPUL to host national seminar “Urdu Medium Education in Current Technological Landscape: Perspectives on NEP 2020” at MANUU Campus Bhopal

 

Bhopal, 04 October 2024: The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Education, is hosting a one-day national seminar on “Urdu Medium Education in the Current Technological Landscape: Perspectives on NEP 2020,” in the city of Nawabs tomorrow.

This national seminar, being organized in collaboration with Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) Regional Centre Bhopal, will witness the presence of NCPUL Director Dr. Shams Equbal and MANUU Registrar Prof. Sk. Ishtiaque Ahmed.

While sharing details about the seminar, Dr. Mohammad Ahsan, Regional Director of MANUU Regional Centre Bhopal, stated, “The seminar is expected to foster critical discussions on the promotion of Urdu language and education, significantly contributing to the intellectual and cultural discourse.”

MANUU Regional Centre Bhopal

Commending the support and patronage from the NCPUL, Dr. Mohammad Ahsan shared that the event will be held at the scenic MANUU Bhopal Campus, and will bring together scholars and experts from across the country to discuss key topics of importance.

The seminar will also feature distinguished speakers, including: Prof. A.R. Fatihi, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, Prof. Aftab Afaqui, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, and Dr. Shama Kausar Yazdani, Assistant Director, NCPUL. In addition to these esteemed guests, other renowned personalities presenting papers include: Prof. Nauman Khan, NCERT, New Delhi, Mr. Iqbal Masood and many other notable scholars.

The inaugural session will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday with participation from dignitaries, faculty members, students, and other distinguished attendees. The event aims to encourage rich dialogue and collaboration among institutions, academicians, and policymakers.

After the inaugural session, two technical sessions will take place, featuring the presentation of 10 research papers by the authors. 

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National Workshop on “Atal Tinkering Labs” held at MANUU CTE-Bhopal

Bhopal (08 March 2024): A National Workshop, held at the College of Teacher Education-Bhopal, one of the constituent colleges of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) on Friday, showcased groundbreaking research on Atal Tinkering Labs funded by  Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

 

The workshop was organized by Dr. Rafeedali E., the project director, who had secured the research project from the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi. The workshop was chaired by Prof. Vanaja M., the Dean of the School of Education & Training at MANUU.

 

Dr. Rafeedali introduced the short-term research project, titled “Atal Tinkering Labs: A Study of Malappuram District of Kerala,” highlighting its novelty as the first of its kind conducted on Atal Tinkering Labs in the country. During the workshop, Dr. Rafeedali presented the research findings and invited suggestions from various resource persons invited from across the country to enhance the quality of the project's outcomes. He revealed that the ATL are positively impacted the students innovative thinking, ideas and skill development among young minds in India.

 

Project Director Dr. Rafeedali sharing findings of research project

In her presidential remarks, Prof. Vanaja emphasized the importance of securing innovative research projects from national bodies to elevate MANUU to greater heights. This sentiment reflects the commitment to academic excellence and innovation within the institution.

 

In attendance was Prof. Noushad Husain, Principal of MANUU College of Teacher Education-Bhopal, who contributed to the vibrant discussions.

 

The workshop featured focus group discussions led by Prof. Abdul Raheem, aimed at further refining the research findings and recommendations, highlighting the collaborative spirit driving educational advancements at MANUU.

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MANUU, India’ sole University offering courses from ITIs to PhD; 4-yr ITEP likely at CTE-Bhopal

 

Bhopal (07 March 2024): Maulana Azad National Urdu University (a central university), as the sole education institution in the country providing courses spanning from ITIs to PhD, is poised to introduce a four-year Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) at its College of Teacher Education in Bhopal.

In addition, the University headquartered at Hyderabad in Telangana is also mulling to give local quota in order to enhance enrollment rate of local students.

“I am thoroughly impressed with the infrastructure at the College of Teacher Education in Bhopal. We are committed to launching a four-year Integrated Teacher Education Program at this campus very soon,” said Prof. Vanaja M, Dean, School of Education & Training, MANUU.

She was delivering her keynote address at the national symposium on “Fostering Parnership among Educational Institutions, Community and Civil Societies: Role of Off-Campuses of MANUU”, organized by the College of Teacher Education-Bhopal here today.

Currently, very few educational institutions are offering 4-year ITEP across the country. MANUU being one of them has already started 4-year ITEP at its Department of Education & Training, Hyderabad.

"Following the initial success of the 4-year ITEP at our headquarters, we are now preparing to seek approval for commencing the 4-year ITEP at our College of Teacher Education in Bhopal next year," said Prof. Vanaja who is also the Director of Directorate of Admission at MANUU.

In his welcome address, Prof. Noushad Husain, Chairperson of the Bhopal Campus Management Committee, highlighted that MANUU, established in 1998 with the aim of promoting Urdu language, has now expanded its presence across almost every state in the country through its diverse programs offered via Distance Education and Regular Mode.

Prof. Noushad Husain, who also is also the Principal of College of Teacher Education-Bhopal, opined that no institution prospers in isolation.

"As educators, it is our foremost responsibility to address the challenges facing society. The aim of this symposium is to foster connection and explore actionable solutions for the betterment of our communities," stated Prof. Noushad Husain in his address to the multitude of attendees.

Prof. S. Zargham Haider (former Joint Director, NCERT & Head of PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education) also spoke on the occasion. Prof. Zargham Haider was also associated with National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research, Bhopal.

Convened by Prof. Syed Hasan Qasim, the symposium was attended by faculties as well as leading personalities, including Prof. Abdul Raheem, Associate Professor Dr. Talmeez Fatma Naqvi, Prof. Asfa M Yasin (former Professor, PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education), Mr. Mohd. Wazir Ansari (former DGP), Prof. Murtaza Rizvi (from National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training & Research), Prof. Nauman Khan (former professor, NCERT), Dr. Usha Khare (Principal, Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Jahangirabad), Mr. Iqbal Masood (former secretary, Urdu Academy), and Mrs. Kumud Singh (Founder, Sarokar NGO).

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