Faculty Upskilling Workshop on Large and Small Group Teaching
The Apollo University organized a Faculty Development Workshop titled “Engage, Interact, Teach: Large and Small Group Teaching Strategies” on March 10th, 2026, at the Dr. Prathap C. Reddy Knowledge Centre, Auditorium, Murakambattu, Chittoor. The workshop was conducted under the joint aegis of the Directorate of Academic Affairs (DAA) and the Human Resources Department as part of the Interprofessional Upskilling Program (IUP). The primary objective of the workshop was to familiarize faculty members with contemporary teaching strategies and equip them with effective techniques for engaging students in both large and small classroom settings.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. H. Vinod Bhat, Vice Chancellor of The Apollo University, who was the Chief Guest of the event. In his inaugural address, he emphasized that the quality of a university is strongly influenced by the competence and teaching methodologies adopted by its faculty. He highlighted the importance of adopting innovative teaching–learning practices that nurture creativity, critical thinking, and analytical skills among students. Referring to the modern medical education models implemented at Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (AIMSR), he noted that such innovative approaches have produced encouraging outcomes and expressed the need to extend similar practices across other academic disciplines within the university.
The workshop featured Dr. Sachidananda Adiga, Head of the Department of Pharmacology, AIMSR, and Dr. Jyoti Brahmaiah, Associate Professor of Pathology, AIMSR, as the resource persons. They conducted interactive, icebreaking and activity sessions focusing on effective classroom engagement techniques, structured teaching methods, and practical strategies for handling both small and large student groups. The speakers shared their experiences, made faculties to engage, team up and demonstrated approaches that enhance participation, improve learning outcomes, and create a more dynamic classroom environment.
Faculty members from various Schools and departments of the university actively participated in the workshop and engaged in meaningful interactive sessions with the resource persons. Among the dignitaries present were Dr. Alfred J. Agustin, Dean, AIMSR; Dr. Ramya Ramakrishnan, Associate Dean, AIMSR; and Dr. Jeevan Kumar, Assistant Director, ACAF, along with faculty members from different schools of the university.
The workshop provided an excellent platform for faculty members to learn, share ideas, and strengthen their teaching capabilities. By focusing on student engagement, innovative pedagogical methods, and practical teaching approaches, the programme contributed significantly to enhancing the quality of teaching and learning at The Apollo University. The event was well received by participants and marked an important step toward promoting continuous faculty development and academic excellence within the institution.