The current Covid-19 crisis has accelerated the appetite for Online Education in India and at the same time increased the need for capacity building of faculty and academics on this new way of teaching and learning. As there is a need to build capacity in the Higher Education sphere in India, the British Council in India is looking for UK HEIs with experience in designing and delivering blended and online training. It includes content development and delivery of 24 hours of blended and online training for groups of faculties as part of their professional development or students of Degree, Masters’ and PhD students, and early-career researchers as part of their capacity building opportunity.

The modules will be developed by the UK HEI in consultation with the nominated Indian academic. The modules can be based on existing course materials which need to be aligned to Indian context and needs. If necessary, the modules should be customised to respond to the demand of the client, adding in some of the latest approaches to the selected topics, adapting to online delivery and ensuring suitability for the participants described above.

The training is planned pan India between September 2020 – March 2021, however confirmed months and dates will be shared in due course. Participants’ level of English will be a minimum of a B1 – CEFR. Please click here for CEFR level descriptions.

The training is intended to be delivered through a mix of classes both in person and online. Now in the context of Covid-19, delivery will likely be 100 per cent online in 2020. The blended modules delivered by the UK HEI will be six hours synchronous online classes in 2020 and 18 hours face-to-face classroom sessions in 2021. The blended module will require travel to India. If a client demands 100 per cent online, the module should have the flexibility to be adapted for online delivery.

The learning platform for the online module should be provided by the UK HEI unless the client provides a video conferencing software. For the classroom modules, the UK HEI will be provided a classroom and other standard training facilities like projector, photocopier, whiteboard etc. The face-to-face classes may be recorded if the client so desires.

Objective of the programme:

• The core objective is to develop the skills and knowledge of faculty and administrators of Indian Higher education institutions in a range of areas related to leadership, online content creation, online delivery mechanisms and assessment, science communication etc.
• To enhance faculty and administrator’s confidence in online teaching and learning pedagogy
• To create a platform for international knowledge diplomacy between India and the UK, including exchange of best practices from this programme

Duration and Mode of the training:

Fully Online Training

• Length: 2 weeks (24 hours) – Approximately 2-3 hours a day or as per schedule agreed between the client and the UK HEI
• Modules designed and delivered by the UK HEI
• Date: Between September 2020 to March 2021
• Duration: 24 hours
• Professional fee: GBP 125 per hour for UK HEI

Blended Training (Online + Classroom)

• Length: Online module – 2 days (3 hours per day)
• Classroom module – 4 days (5 hours per day). Training will be held in India
• Modules designed and delivered by the UK HEI
• Date: Online module - Between September 2020 to March 2021
• Classroom – January 2021 – March 2021 (subject to health & safety advisory)      
• Duration: 6 days
• Professional fee: GBP 500 per day for UK HEI. British Council will cover expenses for two-way international airfare, visa charges, travel insurance, local transport and accommodation meals during the classroom classes

Topics and tentative subject areas*

• Leadership Development: for faculty and administrative staff
• Online Content development and E-Assessment: learn to transform large amount of available information into courseware, how to use them and how to conduct quality online assessment
• Effective Use of ICT Tools: for Classroom Teaching and Learning
• Mentoring Pedagogy and Effective Learning Technologies using ICT: participants should learn to inspire, encourage, support and stimulate curiosity. The teacher will need to understand the technology and harness it to enhance traditional pedagogy.
• Behavioural Remodelling and Use of ICT Tools
• Science Communication and Research Methodology: for mid-level faculty, PhD scholars and PG students
• STEM & Humanities subjects: Enhancing teaching methodology in all interface such as face-to-face, online and blended in popular subjects and themes

  * The above topics are indicative, and we encourage UK HEIs to respond with more topics across humanities, STEM and Law. We recommend the EoI should list the topics/ core areas of any subject that a UK HEI can deliver

Expression of Interest

Your EoI should cover the following points for your UK HEI:

• Your interest in this opportunity and why
• Your previous experience, if any (aligned with what is being sought)
• An outline of your methodology and approach on the topics you would deliver (you can share internet links to share images, sample materials etc. to support if needed)

Please note that the EoI should have a maximum of 5 pages.

Selection criteria

Some Context to this activity:

The draft National Education Policy (NEP) 2019 of India discusses the courses for teachers' training including shorter duration courses for skill & expertise upgradation. It aims to bring the higher education sector in India on par with the international standards and contemporary practices. The Ministry is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT) which aims at building a strong professional cadre of teachers by setting performance standards and creating top class institutional facilities for innovative teaching and professional development of teachers. A summary of the draft NEP 2019 can be found here

In addition, various schemes, namely, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), Global Initiative for Academics Network (GIAN), Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP), are being implemented to improve the quality of teaching in higher education. Several initiatives are also undertaken by UGC and AICTE for quality improvement of teaching in higher and technical education. The draft NEP 2019 has also stressed the need to expand and scale online education in India and the government has already taken constructive steps.