The Online In-Country Program on Training of Trainers on Electrical Basics Using Virtual TVET was jointly organized by the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), Labtech International Ltd. (Labtech), and the National Institute for Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR)-Chennai, India. The program was held from April 1 to 4, 2024, via Zoom platform, which was participated in by 51 teachers, instructors, trainers, and department heads from various Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes across India.

The aim of the online training was to introduce the participants to a TVET Learning Management System (LMS) and Virtual TVET Digital Learning Content, then incorporate these into their classroom learning and course management. The program also served as a refresher course for the participants following through the covered topics on TVET LMS and Virtual TVET.

The program was supervised by Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, CPSC Director General; Dr. Steven McKee, President and Founder of Labtech.; and Prof. Usha Natesan, Director of NITTTR-Chennai. Mr. Brad Ker, Labtech General Manager and Prof. Dr. G. Kulanthaivel, Head of Centre for International Affairs in NITTTR-Chennai served as the Program Coordinator and Local Program Coordinator, respectively.

Prof. G. Kulanthaivel, Head of Centre for International Affairs, NITTTR-Chennai (upper left); Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen, CPSC Governing Board-Engaged Faculty Consultant (upper right); Prof. Usha Natesan, NITTTR-Chennai Director (lower left); and Mr. Deepak Mehohtra, Labtech-India Manager (lower right) deliver their respective speeches in the opening ceremony

Mr. Deepak Mehohtra presents a short lecture on Blended Learning for TVET

During the opening ceremony, Prof. Kulanthaivel thanked the Ministry of Education, CPSC, and Labtech for implementing the training program. CPSC Governing Board-Engaged Faculty Consultant Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen also welcomed the respected guests and the participants on behalf of Prof. Wickramasinghe. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the use of 3D animation in the knowledge transfer which he hoped is beneficial for the TVET instructors throughout the four-day online training. This was followed by the inaugural address of Chief Guest Prof. Natesan as she recounted how virtual learning has been contributing to development and upskilling in TVET. Lastly, Labtech-India Manager Mr. Deepak Mehohtra gave a short presentation on behalf of Dr. McKee, focusing on blended learning for TVET.

Mr. Brad Ker, Labtech Academy Manager (upper left and right) along with Mr. Ian Andrew, Labtech Trainer (lower left) facilitate lectures and activities

The sessions during the four-day online training engaged the participants in the digital TVET framework, approaches of blended learning, technical operation of modern training systems, and creation of lesson plans using virtual TVET. Meanwhile, Mr. Ian Andrew, TVET Consultant and Trainer from Labtech, briefly discussed how to use video as a medium for teaching in 21st century training.

Prof. G. Kulanthaivel (upper left), Mr. Brad Ker (upper right), Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen (lower left) and Mr. Deepak Mehohtra (lower right) during the closing ceremony

In the closing ceremony, Dr. Kulanthaivel, on behalf of Prof. Natesan, extended his appreciation towards the participants who actively engaged during lectures and activities, as well as Mr. Ker for the overall guidance and facilitation in the program. Selected participants also shared their learning experience from the online training and thanked CPSC, Labtech and NITTTR-Chennai for the given opportunity. Providing the Summary of the Program was Mr. Ker while Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen, together with Mr. Mehohtra and Dr. Kulanthaivel delivered their closing remarks to conclude the four-day program.

Group photo of the participants together with distinguished guests