 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 23: To mark a significant step towards integrating peace education and mental well-being practices in Higher Education Institutions, the Office of the Dean Academic Affairs, Cluster University of Jammu, in collaboration with The Prem Rawat Foundation (USA), successfully inaugurated a five-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on Peace Education at PSPS Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, Jammu, on 23 February 2026.
The programme was organized under the able guidance and visionary leadership of Prof. Dr. K. S. Chandrasekar, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu. Aligned with National Education Policy 2020 and UGC guidelines, the FDP aims to promote emotional resilience, stress management, and the creation of a supportive academic environment conducive to student well-being.
A total of 40 faculty members from the departments of Psychology, Sociology, Education, Commerce, and English, drawn from the constituent colleges and PG schools of Cluster University of Jammu, are enrolled in the FDP and will participate in this certified programme as peace facilitators for their respective institutions.
The inaugural session commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr. Shabila Wani, HOD Psychology and Coordinator of the FDP, who highlighted the central theme, "Peace is not something we wish for; it is something we create." The dignitaries present included Prof. (Dr) Twinkle Suri, Dean Academic Affairs, CLUJ, Dr. Kulvinder Kour, Principal, GCW Gandhinagar; senior faculty members of the college; and Ms. Poonam Sherawat, Resource Person and Facilitator, along with her team from The Prem Rawat Foundation (USA).
Addressing the academia, Prof (Dr.)Twinkle Suri, Dean Academic Affairs, exhorted that peace in education begins from within the educator. She observed that when teachers cultivate inner calm, emotional balance, and reflective awareness, classrooms naturally transform into spaces of learning, healing, and human connection. She emphasized that peace education is not an add-on but the very soul of meaningful higher education, and envisioned it through the lens of the Five Rs-Reflection, Reconnection, Renewal, Rekindling, and Rediscovery.
Dr. Kulvinder Kour, Principal, GCW Gandhinagar, lauded the initiative and reiterated the institution's commitment to promoting peace education and faculty well-being.She assured unyielding support for the successful completion of the programme.
The FDP sessions are being conducted by Ms. Poonam Sherawat, Facilitator and Resource Person of the programme, through engaging and interactive modules focusing on practical strategies for cultivating inner peace as a foundation for collective and global peace. The key themes include self-awareness, emotional management, understanding personal strengths, clarity of thought, appreciation, hope, gratitude, and effective techniques for managing stress and everyday challenges.
The proceedings of the inaugural session were conducted by Asst Prof. Suman Bala. |
