Media Release

Davanagere/Shimoga, May 28: Navachethana School, Channagiri, and Holy Redeemer Educational Institutions, Hosanagar, under the management of the Sisters of Charity in the districts of Davanagere and Shimoga, have taken a bold step towards transforming the educational landscape by hosting a one-day Faculty Development Programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The workshop, held at the Navachethana School Auditorium, Channagiri, brought together 60 participants including principals, institutional heads, teachers, and technical staff.

The initiative was led by Sr Genevieve SCCG, principal of Navachethana School, in collaboration with Canara Communication Centre, Mangalore, and AI Lumina, a cutting-edge AI learning platform. The training was facilitated by two prominent experts in the field: Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes, director of Canara Communication Centre and a Google-Certified AI Coach, and Leo Victor Zalki, director of Oxidane Enviro LLP, Mangalore, and a certified AI professional by both Oracle and Google. Their sessions aimed to equip educators with essential skills and insights into the future of AI-driven education.

The workshop offered practical, hands-on sessions covering adaptive learning, responsible and ethical use of AI in classrooms, AI-assisted content creation for education, data-driven teaching strategies, and time-saving AI tools for teachers. Participants were introduced to methods of fostering personalised student engagement using AI, with an emphasis on creativity, innovation, and critical thinking.

Speaking on the occasion, Fr Anil Fernandes highlighted the evolving role of teachers, stating, “AI is not here to replace teachers but to amplify their creativity and efficiency. By embracing AI, educators can reimagine how knowledge is delivered and foster a dynamic learning environment.” Mr Zalki echoed this message, stating, “Educators are the architects of the future. AI tools empower us to create interactive, student-centric classrooms that promote critical thinking and creativity.”

Participants expressed great enthusiasm and appreciation for the workshop. Mr Chandrappa Maddi called the training “transformative and inspiring,” sharing how the workshop empowered him to create videos for school activities. “The hands-on sessions made me believe I can do this too,” he said.

The event also included the distribution of premium AI tools to ten participants and selected institutions. All attendees received a digital certificate and a specially curated AI Toolkit for Education, which included prompts and guides to integrate AI smoothly into their classrooms.

Notable attendees included Sr Rosita Thomas, Sr Ophilia Dsouza, Sr Irene Dsilva, Sr Shanthi Crasta, Sr Wilma Pinto, and several other religious sisters dedicated to the mission of education. Their presence highlighted the Church’s commitment to embracing modern tools while upholding the values of holistic education.

The success of the workshop marks a significant milestone for both institutions, as they prepare their staff and students for a future where technology and values go hand in hand. The event was widely praised for its relevance, practical approach, and visionary leadership.