ACADEMIC STAFF COLLEGE (ASC) / HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (HRDC)

 


⭐




ACADEMIC STAFF COLLEGE (ASC) / HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (HRDC)

1. Introduction

The Academic Staff College (ASC) was established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1987 to improve the quality of teachers in higher education.

Renamed in 2015:

ASC → Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC)

Purpose:

➡️ Provide systematic orientation and professional development to college and university teachers.

⭐ 2. Historical Background

1985 – NPE Draft & Chattopadhyay Committee

  • The committee recommended continuous professional development of college teachers.

  • Suggested a structured program for training & updating skills.

1987 – Establishment of ASCs by UGC

  • UGC set up 51 Academic Staff Colleges across universities.

  • Objective: ensure quality higher education by developing competent teachers.

1994–2015 – Expansion

  • Number expanded to 66 ASCs.

  • Conducted:

    • Orientation Programmes (OP)

    • Refresher Courses (RC)

    • Short-term Courses

    • Faculty development workshops

2015 – ASCs Renamed HRDCs

⭐ 3. Objectives of ASC/HRDC

  1. Introduce teachers to innovations in higher education.

  2. Upgrade subject knowledge (disciplinary and interdisciplinary).

  3. Train teachers in:

  4. Develop:

    • Professional ethics

    • Leadership skills

    • Institutional responsibility

  5. Promote national integration among teachers across institutions.

⭐ 4. Functions of ASCs/HRDCs

1. Conduct Orientation Programmes

  • Mandatory for newly appointed teachers.

  • Duration: 3–4 weeks.

  • Covers higher education system, pedagogy, soft skills, ICT, governance.

2. Conduct Refresher Courses

  • For career advancement (CAS) of teachers.

  • Discipline-specific or interdisciplinary.

  • Duration: 2 weeks.

3. Organize Short-Term Courses/Workshops

4. Conduct Training for:

  • Non-teaching staff

  • Academic administrators

  • Principals & Heads of institutions

5. Provide Professional Support

  • Learning materials

  • Assessment modules

  • Knowledge-sharing platforms

⭐ 5. Role of HRDC in Teacher Education

a. Strengthens higher education quality

Trained faculty → better student outcomes → improved research & teaching quality.

b. Supports Career Advancement Scheme (CAS)

Completion of HRDC programmes is required for promotions.

c. Encourages lifelong learning

Teachers continually upgrade professional skills.

d. Promotes ICT-enabled teaching

Training on MOOCs (SWAYAM), LMS, digital tools.

e. Aligns teacher training with NEP 2020

Emphasis on:

  • Multidisciplinary approach

  • Outcome-based education

  • Research and innovation

⭐ 6. Organisational Structure (HRDC)

⭐ 7. Significance of ASCs/HRDCs

  • First national-level attempt to institutionalize faculty training.

  • UGC made professional development mandatory.

  • Enhance quality through systematic teacher development.

  • Bridge gap between higher education objectives and current teacher competencies.

  • Promote a research culture.

⭐ 8. HRDCs in India (Examples)

Some notable HRDCs:

(There are more than 60 across India.)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  EDUC A TIO N   -   PHILOSOPHICAL FOUND A TIONS Fro m th e ver y beginnin g ma n ha s bee n continuousl y tryin g t o kno w an d understand th e myster y o f th e Univers e aroun d him . H e i s tryin g t o kno w th e relationshi p wit h the physica l worl d o n on e sid e an d socia l worl d o n th e othe r . I t require s kee n observation, critica l stud y an d dee p thinking . I t i s philosoph y , whic h ha s bee n ver y usefu l an d helpful t o kno w th e natur e o f man , hi s origi n an d relationshi p wit h nature , hi s aspiration s and th e too l h e use s t o achiev e hi s aims. Lif e an d philosoph y ar e s o closel y relate d tha t i t i s sai d tha t i f ther e i s life , there woul d b e som e philosoph y o f i t also . Th e functio n o f philosoph y i s t o refin e th e interests o f a n individual . W it h this , i t studie s th e vi...
Read more

Schools of Indian Philosophy, Orthodox and Heterodox Schools

Image
  PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION INTRODUCTION TO   PHILOSOPHY AND EDUCATION   PHILOSOPHY The term philosophy is derived from two Greek words ‘philein’ meaning love, to strive after, to search for; and ‘sophia’ meaning wisdom. Philosophy thus involves a search for wisdom by a philosopher. Philosophers take nothing for granted: not even themselves or their wisdom: as such they are constantly searching for answers and are concerned with the meaning and significance of life. This search can make them a nuisance to everyone e.g. Socrates spent most of his time in the streets of Athens going around discussing with people, taking nothing for granted and questioning everything e.g. what is good, what is true, what is beautiful, what is courage, justice democracy. He considered his task similar to that of a midwife and a sculptor: to bring to birth a new idea, and to create new things, new knowledge respectively. Eventually people in the state of Athens grew tired of him and...
Read more
Image
  What is CCE? Before we speak about the  importance of continuous and comprehensive evaluation , let us understand what the traditional educational model lacked. The traditional educational system has been running on the same cyclical pattern, wherein the students enroll themselves in the institute. This is followed by them attending classes that are characterized by blackboard teaching, monotonous learning, and a lack of discernible interest in the classes. The uninspiring practices that continue in several schools and higher educational institutes are aimed at preparing the learners just to qualify for the examinations. A wholesome development of students is the major objective of education which includes the intellectual, physical, social, moral, ethical, emotional aspects. A holistic approach is a cornerstone for providing the ideal kind of education to the students and to facilitate that the institute should create a cooperative learning environment within and ou...
Read more