Someone has rightly stated that learning should never stop even at the time of crisis. ICT, which a great enabler and facilitator of online learning, has kept the learning process intact. Amidst lockdown, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Punjab Engineering College, Sector-12, Chandigarh has commenced 04 different Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) of one week each under AICTE-Training and Learning (ATAL) scheme w.e.f. 4th May to 29th May, 2020. ATAL Programme is an initiative by AICTE which aims at empowering faculty to achieve goals of Higher Education such as access, equity and quality. These programs have been designed to fulfill the need to train the young generation in skill sector and having faculty and technicians to be trained in their respective disciplines. This is an initiative of MHRD based on the inputs of expert group of NASSCOM identifying nine thrust areas for the skill upgradation of faculty members which in turn will empower the students to make them future industry ready professionals. The thrust areas are: Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Block Chain, Robotics, Quantum Computing, Data Sciences, Cyber Security, 3D Printing and Design, Augmented and Virtual Reality.
The four faculty development programmes have been designed to give the participants an extensive overview in four diverse areas, namely, Data Science (4-8 May), Blockchain Technology (11-15 May), Virtual Reality (18-22 May) and Cyber Security (25-29 May) with hands-on online training in respective tools and techniques that are critical in solving problems in all these domains. The overall coordinator, Prof. Sanjeev Sofat along with CSE faculty team, Dr. Poonam Saini, Dr. Manish Kumar, Dr. Sachin Chaudhary and Ms. Amandeep Kaur have initiated and designed the programs. There will be number of expert PEC faculty along with experts from IITs, NITs and industry who will be delivering expert sessions in the courses.
The 1st FDP on "Data Science" has kick-started on Monday i.e., 4th May wherein PEC Director, Prof. Dheeraj Sanghi inaugurated the Data Science FDP and emphasized on the change in online teaching learning modes and how faculty must keep themselves updated with the latest technologies. According to him, this is the time of learning and educating others, as learners cannot get their time back if wasted. There are more than 150 faculty participants from the Engineering institute from all over the country enrolled for the first Faculty development programme. The last FDP will conclude on 29th May 2020.
