Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre, JMI organizes A Capacity Building Programme on Specific Learning Disabilities

Nai Dilli : The Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC) of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi, successfully hosted an online, three-day short-term course, the “Capacity Building Programme on Specific Learning Disabilities,” from 24th to 26th June, 2025. The programme was led by Prof. Kulwinder Kaur, Hony. Director, MMTTC, JMI, and coordinated by Prof. Bharti Sharma, Professor, Department of TT & NFE (IASE), JMI and Hony. Director, Centre for Jawaharlal Nehru Studies (CJNS), JMI. The course attracted enthusiastic participation from 71 higher education professionals from across the country. The intensive programme brought together leading experts to sensitize and train educators in the higher education field on the nuances of supporting individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs).

The course was inaugurated by the chief guest, Dr. D.K. Sharma, Director, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. In his inaugural address, Dr. Sharma appreciated the MMTTC’s initiative, emphasizing the vital need for inclusive educational practices and empowering teachers to support students with learning disabilities effectively in the higher education institutions.

The course commenced with two sessions on foundational concepts: the first session was by Senior Prof. S.P.K. Jena, University of Delhi, on decoding SLDs and their co-morbidities; the second one was by Prof. Renu Malviya, University of Delhi, on the neurological basis of SLDs. The following sessions transitioned into practical applications, with Dr. Ashima Srivastava, Child & Adult Psychologist, Delhi covering the diagnostic tools; Prof. Rashee Singh, Manav Rachna University, addressing the management in higher education; and Dr. Mohd. Faizullah Khan, JMI, presenting insightful case studies. Emphasizing a holistic approach, the course also explored the therapeutic benefits of yoga with Dr. Kartikey, University of Delhi; and the role of CBT in mental health with Dr. Sudhi Kulsheshta, RML Hospital, Lucknow. The programme was further enriched by diverse multidisciplinary sessions on the human body and disabilities by Dr. Rishi Vashishta, Holy Family Hospital, Okhla; ICT use for SLDs by Dr. Dhirender, Clinical Psychologist, Delhi; legal procedures by Dr. Manoj Kumar Bajaj, University of Delhi; and neuroscience perspectives by Dr. Atul Verma, Amity University Noida, UP. The final day addressed crucial life skills, with a concluding session by Dr. Alka Dutt, University of Delhi, on marriage and vocational counselling for individuals with SLDs. 

The goal of the course was to create a robust platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and equip participating educators with the knowledge and tools necessary for fostering an inclusive environment for learners with SLDs. The overwhelming positive feedback and appreciation received from the participants at the end of the programme underscores the relevance and need to continue organizing these programmes in the future.