Symbiosis Pune Organizes A 24 Hour- Teaching-Learning-Evaluation Hackathon  

Pune, 30th November 2021: Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune had organized an innovative competition – a 24 hour- Teaching-Learning-Evaluation Hackathon, through the Symbiosis Teaching Learning Resource Centre (STLRC), from 23rd to 25th November 2021.

This event was organized to mark the completion of 10 years of STLRC, a prominent centre at SIU established for faculty development in areas of teaching, learning, evaluation, andragogy and research.

This nationwide competition was open to all faculty of the Universities and Higher Education Institutions across India, and was aimed at promoting creativity in thinking and planning for ‘innovative interventions and solutions’ to overcome various challenges in the higher education ecosystem.

54 teams of 197 faculty members participated in the TLE Hackathon from 10 cities of Maharashtra, and 8 other states of India. The participants were from diverse academic faculties such as – Pharmacy, Science & Technology, Architecture & Design, Information Technology, Engineering, Health sciences, Management, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Arts & Commerce, Design and Technology, Computer studies, Forensic sciences, Education and Law.

 
The Prize distribution ceremony of this Hackathon was held on 25th November 2021, where Dr. Bhama Venkataramani, Dean- Academics and Administration, SIU, apprised the gathering about the role and various activities of STLRC, and the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SIU, Dr. Rajani Gupte, gave the welcome address. Hon’ble Pro Chancellor, SIU, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, in her address mentioned about the genesis of STLRC and the importance given to quality of teaching-learning at SIU.

The Chief guest, Dr. Anil Kumar Nassa, Member Secretary, National Board of Accreditation, said that accreditation bodies give a considerable weightage to Teaching-learning and he mentioned that improving teaching learning will ensure improving rankings too, as teaching-learning is the backbone of overall quality in education. He also expressed his deep respect for the teaching fraternity by addressing them as custodians of tradition and culture, and agents of social change.

Rajendra Kakde, Advisor I, Approval Bureau, AICTE, New Delhi, the Guest of Honour, congratulated SIU for organizing this most needed program for teachers. He said that such hackathons are required to bridge the gap between teachers of the 20th century teaching students of 21st century. He emphasized on converting research into technology rather than limiting it only to publications, and also apprised the gathering about various schemes of AICTE which support the faculty in research.

All the submissions were very creative and noteworthy and 18 jury members were involved in evaluating the submissions done by faculty members at various stages of the T-L-E Hackathon. 15 finalists were selected who presented their interventions to the top jury members which included eminent educationists, Mr. Vivek Sawant, Former MD, Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd., Pune, Dr. Yash Paul Sharma, Central Institute of Educational Technology, NCERT, New Delhi, and Dr. Preeti Bhamre, Head, Department of Information Technology, K.K. Wagh Institute of Engineering Education and Research, Nasik.

The competition was very tough and there was a tie for second and third prize. Faculty from Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, Pune, received first prize of Rs. 50,000/-. Second prize of Rs. 40,000/- was shared by faculty from College of Engineering, Pune and Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune, and the third prize Rs. 22,500/- was shared by the faculty from three institutions – MIT World Peace University, Pune, K.K. Wagh Institute of Engineering Education and Research, Nashik and Symbiosis College of Arts & Commerce, Pune. The prize money was increased as a token of appreciation to the winners.

All the participating faculty members expressed that this concept of a Hackathon for teachers was in itself very innovative and it was a great learning experience for them.

Dr. Sophia Sandeep Gaikwad, Head – STLRC presented the report of the Hackathon to the gathering and also expressed the vote of thanks.

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