Two-Day Training of Trainers SEEK Workshop Begins at PU in Collaboration with UNESCO MGIEP

Chandigarh, July 31, 2025: A two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Social Emotional Education – Knowledge to Practice (SEEK) commenced today at the Department of Education, Panjab University. The prestigious workshop is being organised in collaboration with UNESCO MGIEP. The workshop aims to empower educators with essential social-emotional skills, enabling them to integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) effectively into their academic settings.
 
Addressing the workshop, PU Dean University Instruction Prof. Yojna Rawat, emphasised the significance of learning with empathy, self-confidence, and active social engagement as key to achieving sustainable development. Drawing from her experience as DUI, she stressed the power of listening and collaboration in awakening individuals to their social responsibilities.
 
Dr. Richa Bansal, Resource Person, introduced the goals and structure of the SEEK workshop. She underscored the urgent need to equip educators with SEL competencies so they can, in turn, foster these skills in their students.
 
Earlier, the inaugural session opened with the Panjab University anthem, followed by a welcome address by Prof. Latika Sharma, Professor, Department of Education, and Nodal Officer for SEEK. Prof. Sharma highlighted the growing need for empathy and social-emotional awareness in classrooms, particularly in light of recent global events.
 
Chairperson of the Department of Education, Prof. Satvinderpal Kaur, elaborated on the role of UNESCO MGIEP and its mission to integrate socio-emotional learning as part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She encouraged participants to actively engage with the SEEK framework and expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations.
 
The workshop is designed for higher education teachers, guest faculty members and research scholars. Participants will learn to lead SEL sessions and effectively implement MGIEP's SEEK online course in their institutions.
 
 The first day of the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Social Emotional Education – Knowledge to Practice (SEEK) concluded successfully, with resource persons Dr. Richa Bansal and Ms. Ankita engaging participants in a series of interactive and thought-provoking activities. The day began with an icebreaker activity, "All That We Share," which encouraged participants to explore similarities among themselves. Dr. Richa Bansal then introduced the UNESCO MGIEP framework for socio-emotional learning (SEL), emphasizing the importance of cultivating emotional intelligence in educators.
 
The first skill, "Calming the Body and Mind," was taught through a series of exercises that encouraged participants to check in on their emotions and sensations. Dr. Bansal introduced the concept of resilience and the resilient zone, explaining how traumatic events can affect our well-being and providing strategies for returning to a state of resilience. Participants learned about tracking, resourcing, and grounding methods to manage stress and anxiety. The skills of "Ethical Mindfulness" and "Emotional Awareness" were also introduced, with a focus on cultivating heedfulness, mindfulness, and awareness in daily life.
 
The day concluded with an informational discussion among the resource persons and faculty participants, providing a platform for sharing experiences and insights. Participants described the day as a "learning experience with hands-on activities" that was both "enjoyable" and "intriguing."