Last Updated: December 1, 2022
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham recognizes the vital role of vocational training and executive education in the pursuit of lifelong learning. Our institution opens its doors to the public, offering a range of short courses tailored for professionals and aspiring learners. These programs empower individuals to acquire specialized skills and stay ahead in their careers. By providing accessible education, Amrita University ensures that everyone can benefit from our expertise. We foster a culture of continuous learning, emphasizing practical knowledge and real-world applications. Our commitment is to equip individuals with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
During the pandemic, Amrita University proactively arranged predominantly virtual events, prioritizing safety, and welcoming the general public to participate. These events featured online breakout sessions and workshops aimed at fostering vocational skills.
1.1 “Review Strategies for Development of Virtual Skills Labs to support the NEP 2021 directive for Vocationalization of Schools”: a preparation to Virtual Skill labs, open to all
On November 13,2021, AMMACHI Labs, a research center affiliated to the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Amrita University, hosted an expert panel “Review Strategies for Development of Virtual Skills Labs to support the NEP 2021 directive for Vocationalization of Schools”.
The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has taken a proactive step in line with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) to promote and expand vocational skills among students from grade 6 to 12. A significant measure undertaken by the Ministry to facilitate this endeavor involves the establishment of virtual labs dedicated to skills development. Notably, the Olabs created by Amrita University have played a pivotal role in allowing schoolchildren to engage in practical laboratory exercises, and their importance has been further underscored by the recent challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The remarkable success of this initiative has inspired the Ministry of Education to explore a similar approach for enhancing vocational skills within schools. Consequently, the Ministry has reached out to Amrita University and other stakeholders within the ministry to collaborate on devising a comprehensive framework for virtual labs geared towards skills development.
The main objectives of the virtual skill lab for skills is:
For further information on the event click here
1.2 Amrita Skill for life
AMMACHI Labs, Research center at Amrita University, has launched a new YouTube channel for vocational and life skills training videos under the brand “Amrita Skills for Life”. The library consists of over 16 courses, in 6 languages, totaling 3000+ videos and 300+ learning hours.
These courses, aligned to national occupational standards (NOS) have been used successfully over the years to provide skill training across India. As part of the YouTube launch, all the instructional videos developed by AMMACHI Labs, are now being offered free on YouTube to benefit any learner and agencies/institutions to support their skills training.
The courses currently available through the “Amrita Skills for Life” YouTube channel include Optical Fiber Splicer, Two Wheeler Service Technician, Plumbing, Tailoring, Mushroom Cultivation, Hairstylist, Backyard Compost making, Fabric Painting, Artificial Jewellery Making, Soap Making, Tie Making, and Ceramic Tiler among others. The courses are available in Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Marathi, Odiya, and Bengali.
Executive education programs are tailored for experienced professionals who want to update their skills, learn about the latest industry trends, and expand their networks without committing to a full-time degree. They incorporate case studies, interactive workshops, simulations, and discussions led by experienced faculty and industry experts. Participants in these programs gain practical insights, tools, and techniques that can be immediately applied in their workplaces, making them valuable for career advancement and organizational growth. During COVID time, Amrita University organized these programs online so that all could attend remotely.
2.1 E-Waste Management
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, organized a three day online Management Development Program on Business Potentials of E-waste Management in India through Sustainability Lens Transforming E-waste To Wealth on November 26 – 28, 2021.
This Management Development Program addressed the growing concerns surrounding e-waste – its management and environmentally safe disposal in India. In Kerala alone, records show that the volume of e-waste doubled in a year. The various sessions by experts aimed to provide an opportunity for organizations to achieve their social responsibility goals, motivate entrepreneurial interest in this field and also instigate industry and academia to extend existant knowledge of e-waste management.
For further information on the event click here
2.2 Conferences
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham orchestrated a series of conferences that brought together a multitude of experts in various domains. These conferences were inclusive and accessible to a wide audience. They served as invaluable platforms for knowledge enhancement, staying abreast of the most recent developments, and broadening one’s professional network. Here are a few instances of such conferences:
2.2.1 AWESOME
The “International Conference on Advancing Women’s Empowerment through Systems Model Expansion” (AWESOME) took place virtually March 3-5, 2022. The conference was hosted by the AMRITA Center for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality, UNESCO Chair for Gender Equality, in partnership with Systems Innovation, Mumbai Hub, and supported by the Indian Council on Social Science Research (ICSSR) the conference was a great success bringing together key stakeholders and academics from around the globe.
AWESOME: At A Glance
500+ Participants | 12 Countries | 12 Keynote Speakers | 15 accepted papers | 15 partner institutions
The conference featured academics, policymakers, and practitioners who shared their expertise and vision on systems thinking for women’s empowerment from both theoretical and applied points of view. Workshops and tutorials that presented effective tools for women’s empowerment took place in various breakouts. By bringing together an interdisciplinary group of academics, policymakers, and practitioners from systems thinking, women & gender studies, technology innovation, and related fields, the knowledge shared through this conference contributed to addressing the complexity and multifaceted dimensions impacting women’s empowerment and gender equality.
6 Workshops and 2 Fireside chats on the following themes were organized:
For further information on AWESOME: Click Here
2.2.2. Virtual Reality and Empathy & Meaningful Connection
“Can virtual reality help to promote empathy and meaningful connection between people?”
with Dr. Ekaterina Muravevskaia, Assistant Professor
December 14, 2022, Amritapuri campus
This talk defined a concept of empathy, described traditional empathy development tools and the current challenges related to them, discussed the ways how technology could help, and outlined related open research avenues in the fields of human computer interaction, educational technologies, affective computing, game design, immersive technologies (VR/ AR/ haptics), neuroscience, social and developmental psychology, communication.
2.2.3. International Symposium on Water Sustainability held on the occasion of World Water Day 2022
On the occasion of UN World Water Day 2022, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation & Development and School for Sustainable Futures jointly organised an International Symposium on Water Sustainability: Challenges, Technologies & Opportunities (IWSS 2022). The symposium explored challenges and opportunities as well as scientific and practical outcomes in designing, developing, and deploying interventions, tools, and techniques for community-empowered water sustainability initiatives. The symposium was held as an online event from March 22 – 24 from 4 PM to 9 PM IST.
For further information on the symposium – click here
2.2.4 Introduction to Learning Engineering
“Introduction to Learning Engineering” by Dr. Shashi Kanth Shankar on November 25, 2022 from 10.00 am to 11.00 am, Amritapuri campus
In this seminar, the speaker introduced LE as a field and its subfields on an abstract level so that audience could relate to the bigger picture of supporting lifelong learning. Moreover, some milestone projects from different subfields of LE had also beend discussed by the speaker so that the audience could get some deep insights about the works and the way in which they were carried out. Finally, the speaker shared the technical aspects involved in developing LE tools so that technical students could relate to their possibilities as future professionals or higher studies in this field.
For further information on the event: Click here
2.2.5 AMRITACON 2021 – 4th Amrita International Public Health E-conference
The 4th Amrita International Public Health E- conference- AMRITACON 2021 was held on December 10 – 11, 2021. The theme was “Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Healthy Lung, Clean Air, Live A Good Life.” The conference was jointly organised by the Dept. Of Community Medicine and Public Health, Dept of Respiratory Medicine in collaboration with The International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (The UNION).
For further information on Amritacon 21: Click here
2.2.6 MWCR 22: Multi Hazards Warning Symposium
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation and Development, Amrita School for Sustainable Futures (ASF) and Centre for Wireless Networks and Applications (WNA) were jointly organizing an international symposium “Multi Hazards Warning & Community Resilience (MWCR 2022)”, 25th October to 26th October 2022
For further information on MWCR 22: Click here
