In The Inventors Challenge, AICTE Launches Its ATAL Academy FDP

07/20/2023 WFY Bureau

# AICTE Introduces ATAL Academy Faculty Development Programme 2023–24 to Revolutionise Higher Education in India

# AICTE Unveils “Inventors Challenge 2023,” Second Edition, Encouraging Innovation Focused on Sustainability

New Delhi: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has revealed the commencement of the ATAL Academy Faculty Development Programme 2023–24, a visionary initiative aimed at transforming India’s higher education system. Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Hon’ble Chairman, inaugurated the ATAL portal and scheme, emphasising its vital role in equipping faculty members with the essential skills and knowledge for Education 4.0. This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, empowering educators to excel as effective teachers, researchers, innovators, and leaders in their respective fields.

Prof. T.G. Sitharam stated, “The ATAL Academy FDPs are a visionary step towards transforming India’s higher education system, in line with the National Education Policy 2020. It will empower faculty members to excel as effective teachers, researchers, innovators, and leaders in their respective domains. The ATAL Academy will also cultivate a culture of lifelong learning among faculty members, fostering their professional growth.”

Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman AICTE, remarked, “The ATAL Academy is a distinctive platform offering faculty members access to high-quality FDPs on various topics relevant to Education 4.0. Through the ATAL Academy, faculty members can connect with peers and experts from diverse domains and sectors, thus creating a pool of capable and confident educators contributing to knowledge society development.”

The ATAL Academy will provide faculty members access to excellent Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) covering both technical and non-technical domains. AICTE-approved institutions can conduct offline FDPs in diverse fields, including Engineering, Management, Computer Application, Arts and Crafts, Life Skill Development, the Indian Knowledge System, Universal Human Values, and more. These programmes will encompass domain knowledge, industry connections, teaching skills, research abilities, life skills, community well-being, and career development.

In conjunction with the ATAL Academy launch, AICTE, in collaboration with Arm Education and STMicroelectronics, has also introduced the second edition of the “Inventors Challenge 2023.” This competition seeks innovative ideas under the theme of Sustainability, focusing on four sub-themes: Good Health and well-being, Clean Energy, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, and Sustainable Cities and Communities. Faculty members and engineering students pursuing Diploma, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate courses are eligible to participate in teams consisting of one faculty member and up to four students.

The contest, officially launched by Prof. T.G. Sitharam, builds upon the success of the previous edition and demonstrates AICTE’s commitment to industry-academia knowledge sharing. The competition contributes to India’s efforts to establish a robust semiconductor ecosystem and become a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design. The deadline for idea submissions is August 10, 2023.