Dr. Balbinder Singh Pathania, Executive Director, Dronacharya PG College, Kangra shares insights on Skilling, Digital Learning, and Empowering Students in the Himalayan Region

Please introduce yourself and your institute, sir.

I am Dr. Balbinder Pathania from Dronacharya PG College of Education, Kangra, Himachal region. We have been running our college since 2006. We offer B.Ed, M.Ed, BBA, BCA, PGDCA, and B.Com courses.

I am very happy and I want to appreciate ArdorComm Media Private Limited. The founder is with us, Mr. Kumar Chandan Anand. I really want to appreciate him for bringing all education leaders from school education to higher education together. There is a lot of exchange of learning, and through the latest technologies like AI, many experts from various schools and colleges are sharing and exchanging ideas.

This initiative really enhances learning, and it will ultimately reach the children and students. This will lead to empowered citizens, which is the ultimate objective of education. I also see that these meetings are going to various regions. I would like to invite you, to Himachal, Dharamshala also, to do such kinds of events where there is a lot of learning.

I am finding that most of the software companies here are informing us about various products that are going to add value to students’ lives, institutional growth, and student development. Skilling, upskilling, and reskilling are the need of the hour, and employment is also a big issue.

I feel that Chandan sir is taking initiatives at the school level and college level with a vision that we will reach many people. It felt very good to be here in Jammu, and I am carrying a lot of learning with me to share with my faculty and students. Yes, it is going to have a big impact.

Under your leadership, what initiatives has your institute taken toward Digital India in the Himalayan region?

The schools and areas where we belong are village areas. Our BCA department is empowering students through blended learning and smart technology. They are giving students basic computer application skills.

The idea that I got from your side is that we can sponsor a few very good students from government schools and bring them to the college level. We can offer internships during summer or winter vacations. When they go back to their schools, they will share their learning with their colleagues. That is something we can do.

What is the takeaway from today’s event?

The takeaway from today’s event is accelerating education through technology, learning exchange, and new skills that provide employment opportunities for students.

We also learned how we can have better networking. I saw many multinational companies here. They have initiated ideas like including data analytics in BBA courses. I really want to appreciate the initiatives you have taken forward. There is a lot of learning and networking, and through such events, we can also include these ideas in our institution.

We recently completed our fourth year, and this is our fourth anniversary. Any message or wishes you would like to share?

Wonderful. I really want to appreciate this. Just four years, like a child, and you have done so much. It is highly appreciable. I bless you from the core of my heart, and I pray to God that every year you reach new heights and reach many villages and remote areas, spreading the message through technology and education. I want to appreciate your work and wish you all the best. Many congratulations on your four-year journey. God bless you.