Experiential learning was central to the training methodology adopted to develop and strengthen the language skills of 25 Indian Army personnel who have just completed an intensive three-week course in Mandarin at the O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) here.
"Experiential learning was central to the training methodology adopted to develop and strengthen the language skills of the army personnel. The lectures were highly interactive and involved participants actively in group discussions, role plays, situational dialogues etc. The training also employed extensive use of audio visual aids including mandarin Chinese movie screenings for the participants," a JGU statement said.
"The personnel were also made to practice a mock India-China meeting with cultural insight and etiquette and introduced to the use of technology by using smart devices and online sources as part of the training module," the statement added.
The programme was jointly conducted by Jindal Institute of Leadership Development and Executive Education (JILDEE) and the Taiwan Education Centre (TEC) at JGU. This is India's first TEC, established by the National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) with the support of the Taiwanese government.
This was JILDEE's second successful course in imparting the Chinese language for select Indian Army personnel.
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Speaking at the graduation ceremony, JGU vice chancellor C. Kumar Raj said: "I am certain that the Mandarin communication skills developed with the help of native Chinese instructors will be gainfully utilized by army personnel at diplomatic forums, bilateral negotiations and border meetings."
Noting that the JILDEE imparts programmes built upon a multidisciplinary approach and innovative thinking, he said it had been set up "to impart world-class capacity training to participants and stakeholders and reflect our vision and long-term commitment to institution building for nation building".
"It is a matter of national honour and pride that the Taiwan Centre at our university is building the capacities of our armed forces to negotiate and manage India's relations with its most crucial neighbour, China," said Sreeram Chaulia, dean of the Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), which has also hosted the Taiwan Education Centre since its establishment in 2011.
Speaking on the occasion, JILDEE director Lt. Gen. Rajesh Kochhar (retd) said the executive education programmes it conducts "are carefully developed and use various pedagogical approaches such as lectures, simulations, small group interactions, action learning projects, and case studies with the goal of ensuring that the participants can take the learning back to their work environment and apply the new skills gained from day one".
