Dimapur, June 1: In order to integrate Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) curriculum into higher education institutions in the North East and West Bengal, Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) and UNICEF Assam and North East are hosting a three-day regional workshop in Shillong, Meghalaya from June 1 to 3.
The workshop is being attended by more than 45 educators and development practitioners representing 16 higher education institutions across North Eastern states and West Bengal. In the next two years, CSBC Curriculum will be introduced in 16 Universities in Higher Educational Institutions of North East.
The event commenced with a welcome note delivered by Fr. (DR.) Johny Jose, Registrar, Assam Don Bosco University. Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, Vice Chancellor, North Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya, graced the occasion as Chief Guest of the workshop and delivered the keynote address on the importance of SBC in the context of India’s New Education Policy for strengthening sustainable development in the North Eastern Region.
While sharing her experiences, Dr. Madhulika Jonathan, Chief-Field Office, Assam and Northeast said social norms are culturally inherent and bringing change needs multi-layered interventions at individual, family, community and societal level at large.
Tamara Abu Sham, SBC Specialist, India spoke about understanding behaviour science, importance of research in SBC and incorporating CSBC into curricula in Higher Education Institutions. The sessions were further led by renowned experts who shared their experiences and insights with the participants.
As part of the programme, the participants will be oriented on the nine CSBC Modules, new approaches such as behaviour science, new aspects of CSBC research and practice, as well as best practices in teaching and adoption of CSBC curricula.
The dignitaries attending the workshop include: Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner, Government of Meghalaya, Sanjay Singh, Specialist, Social & Behaviour Change, UNICEF India; Prof. Aparna Khanna, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi; Prof. Vasuki, Hyderabad University; Dr. Tulika Goswami Mahanta, Professor and Head Community Medicine, Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh; Dr. Annapurna Kaul, Health Specialist, UNICEF Office for Assam & NE states; Prof. Andrew Carlson, School of Communication, Writing and the Arts, Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA; Prof. David Mould, Professor Emeritus of Media Art and Studies, Ohio University, USA; Anushka Ashok, Behavior Architect at Finale Mile Consulting Pvt. Ltd and Prof. Riju Sharma, Director, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, ADBU andMr. Victor Narzary, OSD to Chief, BTC.
UNICEF has partnered with public and private universities to introduce competency-based curricula in Communication for Social and Behaviour Change (CSBC), also earlier referred to as Communication for Development (C4D).
The initiative is part of a broader effort to build human capacity in India’s SBC sector, by increasing the number of professionals qualified to work for development organizations, nongovernmental organizations, government departments (at federal, state, municipal/councils and community levels) and the private sector and by improving their knowledge and skills in the field.
(Page News Service)