by Suman Gupta
Mumbai…November, 2018… The University of Worcester, one of Britain’s most innovative, most inclusive universities, with excellent provision in teacher education, health, biology, sport science, art, law and more, has partnered with Indian academics to launch a new diploma for teachers in delivering life skills to children. Renowned as one of Britain’s best universities for educating teachers, the University of Worcester has teamed up with Bollywood star and educationalist, Dr Swaroop Sampat-Rawal to offer the new in-service training programme.
Dr Sampat-Rawal is an alumna of the University of Worcester, having studied for a PhD in Education at Worcester. Her doctoral thesis was on the theme of using drama to enhance life skills in children with learning disabilities. Dr. Swaroop Sampat-Rawal has devoted her life to educating young people in India.
Ann Jordan, Head of the University of Worcester’s School of Education, said, “Dr Sampat-Rawal’s work has had a massive impact worldwide and we are delighted to be working in partnership with her to deliver this new Diploma. Dr Sampat-Rawal’s work in India aligns perfectly with our ethos at the University of Worcester. Her work is based on inclusion and ensuring achievement for all, which is something we are really passionate about at Worcester.”
Dr. Sampat-Rawal has dedicated herself to community development and advocacy, travelling across India training teachers, while also campaigning to get more children, such as those in tribal communities or street children, into the classroom.
Dr. Swaroop Sampat-Rawal said, “I’m really excited about the Diploma. The University has a long history of excellent teacher training so who else would I want to work with. This new Diploma in Personal Social Education will better equip teachers to deliver life skills to children which are much needed in today’s world. The Diploma builds on the University of Worcester’s long history of teacher training and its commitment to inclusion.”
“When I proposed to teach life skills in the government primary school in my home state of Gujarat, its then chief minister, and now India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, instantly agreed to my vision and plan. At that point, my focus was on dealing with mental health issues among students, a much neglected and even lesser understood aspect of their academic and social life.”
The Diploma in Personal Social Education will be launched at a special event in Mumbai on Monday, December 3, 2018 and will be attended by education leaders and Government Ministers. The Diploma, which is subject to validation, will be delivered in both India and the UK and is aimed at supporting teachers to develop the needed strategies in both nations to confidently deliver life skills for all children.
About Dr Swaroop Sampat-Rawal :Dr Swaroop Sampat-Rawal is married to actor, director and politician, Paresh Rawal, with whom she has two sons, Aniruddh and Aditya. She became successful with the hugely popular TV comedy show, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, where she played the role of Shafi Inamdar’s wife. Dr Sampat-Rawal also won the Miss India contest in 1979 and represented India at Miss Universe the same year.
About University of Worcester : Renowned as one of Britain’s best universities for educating teachers, the University of Worcester, was founded as an Emergency Teacher Training college after World War II to win the peace through education. It won full University status in 2005 and is now one of Britain’s most innovative, most inclusive universities with excellent provision in health, biology, sport science, art, law and more. The University of Worcester educates over 10,000 students. The University of Worcester, which was ranked 15th for teaching and 18th for student experience in the most recent Times University Guide, was recently selected as the partner of the World Academy of Sport to deliver inclusive teacher education around the world. One of the first programmes to be developed will be with the International Paralympic Committee Academy, the global educational division of the IPC. The University of Worcester typically educates 50% more students with a disability than the national average. Worcester has one of the best records of sustained graduate employment in the Country, with 97% of Worcester graduates in work or further study within 6 months of graduation. The University is highly successful in securing employment for its graduates who have a disability.
