The initiative underscored the commitment of the Trust and its institutions to implementing advanced OBE practices across its three autonomous institutions: St. John College of Engineering and Management (SJCEM Palghar), St. John Institute of Pharmacy & Research (SJIPR, Palghar), and St. John College of Humanities and Science (SJCHS, Palghar).
Leadership and Vision:
The visionary guidance of Mr. Albert W. D’Souza, Chairman, and Mr. Aldridge D’Souza, Vice Chairperson of the Aldel Education Trust, served as the cornerstone of this endeavour. Their long-standing vision has nurtured a comprehensive KG-to-PG academic ecosystem across the MMRDA region.
Resource Person and Sessions:
The workshop featured intensive sessions conducted by Dr. Mendus Jacob, MD & CEO of ipsr solutions limited, Director at Valin Technologies (UK, USA & Canada), and Professor & Director of MCA at Marian College, Kuttikkanam Autonomous. Dr. Jacob offered deep insights into the principles and structure of Outcome-Based Education, focusing extensively on the role of precise examination design in achieving Course Outcomes (COs) and Program Outcomes (POs). He emphasised the concept of "constructive alignment" and introduced participants to the meticulous process of examination blueprinting, cognitive level mapping, and drafting questions aligned with OBE.
Advanced Methodologies for Smart Assessment:
The workshop also featured a practical and hands-on approach, guiding faculty through the QnSmart i digital examination platform. He demonstrated the tool’s capacity for designing intelligent, OBE-compliant assessments and its role in facilitating continuous quality improvement. Through case studies, he presented examples from institutions that have implemented smart assessment strategies successfully, providing participants with a roadmap for seamless digital examination execution.
Guidance and Support:
The examination reforms across the three institutions have been guided by Professor Charles Pius, an esteemed academician and expert in examination practices. As the former Controller of Examinations (CoE) of St. Agnes College, Mangalore, Professor Pius offered valuable inputs for aligning institutional examination policies with the best practices and standards in OBE implementation.
Active Participation:
The workshop witnessed active engagement from the IQAC, Examination Cell members, and faculty teams across the institutions. The principals of the participating institutions — Dr. Savita Tauro (St. John Institute of Pharmacy & Research), Dr. Kamal Shah (St. John College of Engineering & Management), and Dr. Muktha Manoj Jacob (St. John College of Humanities and Science) — played a pivotal role in facilitating institutional transition and aligning faculty and staff to the objectives of the initiative.
Outcomes and Impact:
This three-day workshop became more than a theoretical exposition — it evolved into a collaborative endeavour to enable faculty and administrators to design intelligent, OBE-aligned assessments. The participants gained hands-on exposure to digital examination platforms and engaged in active dialogue about institutional assessment strategies. The initiative laid a strong foundation for a seamless shift to digital examination practices across all three autonomous institutions.
Conclusion:
The successful completion of this workshop signifies a milestone in the academic journey of the Aldel Education Trust institutions. By bringing together visionary leaders, expert trainers, and dedicated academic teams, this initiative reaffirmed the Trust’s commitment to academic excellence and its role as a catalyst for advanced examination reforms. The event marked the beginning of a transformative chapter that will further enable the institutions to champion quality education through precision in teaching, learning, and assessment.
