MET Institute of Management successfully conducted Six-days ATAL-FDP program from 28th August – 3rd September on ‘Design Thinking for Teaching Learning Process and National Education Policy (NEP)’ that focused on equipping faculty members with the tools to create effective pedagogical tools aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP). Mr. Pankaj Bhujbal, Hon. Trustee, MET encouraged participants to refine their prototype and implement it in the classroom. The program was led by Dr. Swati Lodha, Director, MET IOM, she emphasized the transformative potential of design thinking in education and guided participants through key stages of the design thinking process, including empathy, define, ideate, prototype, test and implement.

Among the distinguished guests were Mr. Umesh Rathod, Manager, IP & Technology Transfer, Indovation Centre, Western Region, who emphasized the importance of producing affordable and best products. Dr. Manmeet Barve, Associate Professor, MET IOM, discussed the key qualities of a design thinker and guided participants through the design thinking process. Mr. R.K Lawande, Founder, E4 Development Coaching Ltd., shared his insights on integrating design thinking principles into curriculum design to align with the NEP.

Other notable guests included Dr. Vinay Prabhu, Author and Ex-HOD Psychology, he stressed the significance of understanding students to tailor effective educational experiences, Ms. Manisha Phadke, Design Consultant and Educator; she highlighted the transformative power of design thinking in education and the importance of innovative learning strategies. Dr. Jimmy Jain, Forbes Contributor and Founder of SDTP, Square Sequel Consulting; focused on the user-centered approach and cautioned against the pitfalls of transference, Dr. Chitra Wadke, Associate Professor, MET PGDM; she advocated for the use of large group strategies and collaborative learning to enhance student engagement, Ms. Zoya Natterwala, AVP – Customer Experience & Design Thinking Master Practitioner, Square Sequel Consulting, she introduced the concept of HMW (How Might We) thinking and provided feedback on participant prototypes; Mr. Arvind Mishra, Senior Associate Consultant, Square Sequel Consulting; he emphasized the importance of effective storytelling and communication in design thinking.

Prof. Sudhakar Nadkarni, Guru of Design in India, advocated for students to understand the perspectives of both designers and users and emphasized the power of design thinking as a tool for gaining insights. Ms. Shilpa Vohra, Promoter Director, Marind Finvest, highlighted the leadership challenges in implementing innovative pedagogy and highlighted the importance of creating a supportive environment for teachers.

The program featured a field visit to IIT Bombay's Industrial Design Centre (IDC), where the participants witnessed first-hand the various prototyping facilities at the IDC, including the 3D printing process, Clay Styling Studio, Bamboo Laboratory, Metal Studio, Wood Studio, Plastic Studio, and Ceramic Studio. This hands-on experience provided valuable insights into the entire prototyping process, from ideation to final product development.

The ATAL-FDP concluded with a showcase of innovative prototypes developed by the participants. These prototypes were assessed by a panel of experts and demonstrated the potential for transformative teaching and learning practices. Overall, the program was a valuable experience for the participants and has the potential to significantly impact the future of education.

Tags: MET Institute of Management