Agartala, July 11 (TIWN): Science Teachers’ Training under the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA) began at the Tripura University ( Central) from Monday. The training programme was inaugurated by the president of Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE) Prof. Mihir Deb in presence of Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof . Anjan Mukherjee, State Project Director of the RAA Kuntal Das and Nodal Officer of the RAA Dr. Utpal Ch De.

Altogether 78 teachers from BSc Physical Science and 77 teachers from BSc Biology had enrolled for the training but due to Road Blockade agitation of the IPFT 59 teachers attended the training on Monday. The rest of the enrolled teachers were expected to attend the programme from tomorrow.

The two-phase training programme of the Pure Science teachers would be conducted from July 10 to July 14, while training for the Bio Science teachers would be from July 17 to July 21 next.

The idea of RAA was first mooted by the former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in an attempt explore the science talents across the country and also to make the students interested in the science and mathematics. The project included apart from Science teachers training also interactions with students and parents. The project which had started in 2015 would continue till 2022.

 The RAA was implemented in the state by two Central higher education institutions- Tripura University – Central and NIT-Agartala, each being given four districts for the task.   Tripura University is assigned to implement the RAA  for Khowai , Sepahijala, Gomati and South Tripura districts.

In the meantime, Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Hon’ble  Minister of State , MHRD, Govt of India, during his recent visit to Tripura  had a detailed discussion about the Tripura University with the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof Anjan Kumar Ghosh. Prof.  Ghosh called on the Hon’ble MoS Dr. Pandey in State Guest House during his visit. The VC was accompanied by senior University officials including Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof . Anjan  Mukherjee , two Deans and Registrar in charge.

Vice Chancellor Prof.  Ghosh invited Dr. Pandey to visit the Tripura University in his next visit.  This time visit to the Tripura University was not included in the Hon’ble Minister’s schedule. The Hon’ble Minister accepted the invitation and in all likelihood in next November he would visit the Tripura University.

During the meeting various issues pertaining to the development of the University were discussed. On the specific queries from the Hon’ble Minister about the delay in declaring Under-graduate results , as raised by a students’ organization, the University team apprised him of the fact that the delay was often caused due to no availability of the required number of College teachers meant for examination paper scrutiny. The varsity team told the Hon’ble Minister that that though the varsity is the affiliate authority, the examination papers are scrutinized by the College teachers who are deputed by the High Education Department of the state government.

On the students’ council election, Dr. Pandey was informed of the ongoing process for conducting the elections as per the Lyngdoh Commiittee recommendations. The Students’ Council elections would be held soon.

The Hon’ble expressed his satisfaction while talking to the University officials.