Pearl Academy of Fashion hosts PGCHE CONVOCATION
- First design institute in the country to mandate pedagogic qualification 

New Delhi, February 14th, 2008:

Lauding Pearl Academy of Fashion’s (PAF) commitment to institutionalize and mandate pedagogic qualifications for its faculty, Prof V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Chairman, Distance Education Council and Vice Chancellor, IGNOU stated in his Convocation address “To me, no investment in faculty resource - is nill investment in education”. Prof Pillai was addressing the first Convocation of PAF’s Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) programme.

“It is extremely important for higher education institutes like Pearl Academy of Fashion to invest in capacity building of faculty by way of qualifications, using e technology into teaching and learning, skill up-gradation and international exposure to pedagogic techniques,” said Prof Pillai.

Congratulating the 18 faculty members who graduated, he remarked “It is indeed noteworthy that this programme comprised of participants across all faculty levels - from Directors, Professors to Lecturers”.

Mr A K G Nair, in his opening remarks stated, “With this Convocation, PAF becomes the first design institute in the country to have faculty in higher education with formal pedagogic qualifications. PGCHE, the eighteen-month programme, jointly launched by Pearl Academy of Fashion, India (PAF) and the Nottingham Trent University, UK in 2006 was designed for the development of faculty as reflective practitioners. Its main focus was on the study of education and teaching and learning; and an extensive use of online e-learning and e-assessment techniques.”

“First batch of PGCHE concluded recently with 12 PAF faculty members graduating with distinctions and balance 9 with first division. PGCHE course imparts basic as well as advanced technical skills and knowledge appropriate for professional functioning, which will enhance intellectual and conceptual abilities to professionally take up higher levels teachings. The course is structured in a way that it will enhance the capability to critique research literature in the academic practice. The internationally validated programme is all the more relevant to mention here that the faculty dealing in creative disciplines need tailor made programmes for enhancing pedagogical, mentoring and research skills and also for their professional growth”, stated Mr Nair in his introduction to PGCHE programme.