Staff Development Seminar on Life Skills Capacity Building

Loreto College, Kolkata, had the privilege of hosting Dr. Gauri P. Hardikar, Life Skills Consultant and Coach, Senior Vice-President of World Curriculum, and Executive Director of Indian Ocean Comparative Education Society, as the resource person for a Staff Development Seminar on May 17, 2024. Dr. Hardikar conducted an impactful and engaging session on “Life Skills Capacity Building for Faculty Leadership.”

Dr. Hardikar began by introducing the concept of the VUCA world—Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous—highlighting the challenges it presents in the twenty-first century. She underscored the importance of developing life skills to navigate this dynamic environment effectively. She also assessed the current status of life skills education and training before proposing strategies for integrating life skills into the curriculum and fostering a holistic educational experience. Her emphasis was on the ten core life skills identified by the World Health Organisation: Self-Awareness and Empathy, Communication and Interpersonal Skills, Creative and Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making, and Coping with Emotions and Stress.

A highlight of the seminar was its “play-shop” component, with Dr. Hardikar engaging the staff in various life skill games aimed at strengthening mutual trust and solidarity. These activities not only demonstrated the practical implementation of life skills training but also provided an enjoyable and collaborative learning experience for the participants. The staff of Loreto College left the seminar with a deep appreciation for Dr. Hardikar’s transformative approach to life skills education and a renewed enthusiasm for incorporating similar methods in their teaching practices. The seminar also reinforced the institution’s commitment to imparting an educational experience that equips students with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world.