Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: The Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu, revamped its existing MARD programme to Masters in Rural Development Management (MRDM) on the pattern of NIRD, Hyderabad and IRMA, Gujarat.
The programme is heavily based on the field and comprehensively reflects the spirit of the NEP -2020.
In this context, a three days Pre-Immersion workshop began today for the students of 1st semester of Masters in Rural Development Management (MRDM). The pre-immersion workshop will be followed by the 4-week Immersion programme wherein the students will be in the field for real-life immersion in rural ecology.
Indu Kanwal Chib, Mission Director UMEED (J&K UT) was the chief guest and Prof Naresh Padha, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu, was the guest of honour.
The chief guest, in her remarks, emphasized for the field work and encouraged the students, especially the female students to participate in the field oriented programmes and enhance their developmental skills. She also highlighted the opportunities available in the field and possibilities of comprehensive development of both the students and the target groups with whom they are working with.
Prof Naresh Padha, in his presidential address, highlighted the significance of professional unrest required for any budding professional and how this spirit and motivation will be of value to their professional life.
Dr Jeevan Jyoti, Director, Department of Lifelong Learning, in her inaugural address, briefed about the Master programme wherein she spelled out the details of the pre-immersion and immersion programme. She also highlighted that the programme is more than 50 percent field based with field work, internship and project work in collaboration with the state agencies. She also apprised that this is going to be a professional programme and ready to job from the day-1. She also highlighted that the programme will also be offered to the students of African and South Asian countries progressively.
Naniesh Tickoo and Mohd.Hussain, alumni of the NIRD, Hyderabad, were the two resource persons to conduct two sessions in the day -1 of the workshop.
Dr Vivek Sharma, Coordinator of the Programme, introduced both the guests whereas Dr Pallavi Sachdeva conducted proceedings of the programme and Dr Sandeep Singh presented the formal vote of the thanks.
Others present in the workshop, were Prof Kavita Suri, Dr Savita Nayyer, Anshu Khajuria and all other staff members of the DLL.