St. Joseph Vaz College organized a two-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on 12th and 13th November 2024. The FDP was aimed at enhancing faculty skills in personal wellness and technology integration in education. The event combined sessions on health, fitness, and generative AI in teaching, offering faculty valuable strategies for both personal and professional growth.

The programme commenced with a prayer service, setting a thoughtful atmosphere, followed by an address from the college Administrator, Rev. Prof. Simão Diniz. The Administrator underscored the critical role of the ongoing faculty development in nurturing future generations and urged attendees to maximize their learning from the sessions. The
programme Coordinator Ms. Viona Correia then introduced the event’s objectives, and Dr. Aureen Gomes concluded the inaugural session with a vote of thanks.

The first day’s sessions focused on wellness, starting with “Nourishing Minds and Bodies: The Science of Nutrition” led by Ms. Sheryl Afonso. Ms. Afonso highlighted the vital role of balanced nutrition in enhancing mental and physical well-being. Post lunch, Mr. Ryan Pereira’s session, “Crafting Your Path to Wellness: Designing Personalized Fitness Plans” guided participants in creating custom fitness routines tailored to their individual health goals. The day concluded with Ms. Dorathy Alphonso’s interactive session on “Energize and Engage: Creative Fitness Activities” where participants were engaged in fun exercises that promoted positive energy.

The second day emphasized technology integration in teaching. Ms. Melissa Rodrigues led a series of sessions on ICT tools, beginning with “ICT Tools for Effective Teaching” Parts I and II, which introduced digital resources to create engaging, interactive learning environments. After lunch, Ms. Rodrigues explored ICT tools for assessments, helping participants streamline grading and feedback processes. The final session, “Hands-On with ICT and AI” provided practical insights into using AI tools, preparing faculty to adapt to emerging educational technologies.

The programme concluded with a valedictory session that included feedback from participants, the distribution of certificates to all attendees and a final vote of thanks, marking the successful end of an impactful FDP.