Capacity building for social science teachers underway

Kohima Bureau
Kohima, May 8 (EMN): To develop research capabilities among young faculty members of social sciences and further bring out completed research into publishable material of high quality in the form of journal articles and book, a two week capacity building programme for social science faculty members got underway this morning at Nagaland University, Meriema Campus.
The programme, organised by the department of education and department of teacher education, Kohima Campus, Meriema, would culminate on May 21. The programme is being fully sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Human resource Development, Government of India.
Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural programme, Prof. Buno Liegise said the objectives of the programme was in conformity with UGC guidelines for capacity building programmes in the country with the focus on the development of research, capabilities and investigative skills.
Pointing out that there is no end to learning research methods and procedures, Liegise underscored the need to learn and equip oneself with new ways of investigation and assessment. Stating that research and development forms a significant part of higher education, she asserted that teachers need to engage in research activities not only for personal competence but for the sake of the society’s development.
Teachers, she said, must be encouraged to engage in research with new sets of skills and renewed zest, which in today’s time undeniably has become paramount.
While the need for research is ever growing with no dearth of research topics, Liegise, however, reminded that selection of the problem must be based on its importance and usefulness adding it should never be done in a vague manner.
On review of literature, she reminded the scholars on the importance of quality of literature and not on the quantity and also on the methodology one chooses as research tools, which would determine the quality, reliability and validity of the research.
Liegise also maintained that time has come to construct our own tools which are suitable to one’s setting and environment. As teaching profession is one of the most demanding vocations, Liegise remarked that teachers need continuous education and training in order to play their roles and fulfil their responsibilities with dedication. Stating that teachers also required constant motivation and regular mental, emotional and spiritual rejuvenation, she expressed hope that teachers, with new perspectives and approaches of research and their capacity, would grow and strengthened through the programme.
Gracing the programme as the chief guest, Prof. RC Gupta, Pro-Vice Chancellor, NU, opined that there is a gap in demand and supply in education due to the challenges faced by the educators with the change of time. He, therefore, said capacity building is to fill the gap and make a balance whereby the teachers can hone their skills and knowledge and increase their self-efficiency.
He also reminded the scholars that if one wants to progress in life, one must develop the capacity to go through failures and also to develop the resistance that failure should not be an obstacle towards achieving the best outcome.
Altogether thirty participants including 20 from the fourteen states of India and 10 from Kohima are taking part in the two-week long programme covering various subjects viz. commerce, economics, education, business, administration, physical education, political science, psychology, teach education, Tenyidie and women studies.