National Workshop on Continuing Education Concludes at AMU with Call for Systemic Reforms

ALIGARH, January 12: A two-day National Workshop on Continuing Education, organised by the Centre for Continuing and Adult Education and Extension (CCAEE), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), in collaboration with the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, concluded on Sunday with a strong call for comprehensive reforms in the country’s continuing education framework.

Speakers at the valedictory session stressed that in the context of rapid social, economic and technological changes, continuing education must be reoriented to address contemporary needs. They emphasised that the objective of continuing education should extend beyond degrees and certificates to promote lifelong learning, particularly among rural and marginalised communities. The need for a flexible, accessible and employment-oriented system was highlighted as essential for social inclusion and self-reliance.

Delivering the valedictory address, former AMU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mohd. Gulrez said that the National Education Policy has provided a renewed direction to adult and continuing education. He underlined the importance of close collaboration between universities and social organisations to ensure that educational initiatives reach the grassroots and empower all sections of society.

The second day of the workshop was chaired by Prof. Vijaya and featured sessions on community education centres, public reading rooms and libraries, adult education, health, and discussion forums. The sessions were addressed by resource persons including Bhola Nath Ram, Yogendra Kumar Gupta, Dr Sheeshpal, Tejram, Surendra Prasad Thakur, Satyawan Pundir, Vijay Patel and Vishwanath Singh.

National Vice-President of the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Ms Asha Mishra, and Dr Kashi Nath Chatterjee informed that an action plan has been prepared to establish continuing education centres in selected panchayats, conduct surveys to identify illiterates and out-of-school children, and form local committees. Under the plan, continuing education centres will be expanded to more than 2,500 panchayats across 14 states over the next three years.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Naval Kishore Singh, senior advocate Pradeep Rajput, National Secretary of the Samiti Dr O. P. Bhuretha, Vice-President Dr Kashi Nath Chatterjee and Ms Asha Mishra were present at the concluding session. Certificates were distributed to participants of the workshop, while Director, CCAEE, Dr Shamim Akhtar, proposed the vote of thanks.





Via Aligarh Muslim University News
Syed Afzal Ali shah Moududi.
Lucknow