As part of sustained efforts to strengthen classroom practices and promote teacher professional development in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Bharti Airtel Foundation and Samagra Shiksha, Kamrup, organised a Teachers’ Educational Exposure Visit to Assam down town University on Friday, 6 February 2026.
The exposure visit aimed to bridge the gap between school education and emerging trends in higher education by familiarising teachers with contemporary learning ecosystems, innovation-driven academic environments, and skill-based pedagogical approaches. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in Government schools through meaningful exposure and experiential learning opportunities for educators.
A total of 64 teachers from 32 Government schools across Kamrup district participated in the programme. Each school was represented by its Head Teacher or Principal along with a Science Teacher, ensuring both academic leadership and subject expertise were represented. The diverse group of participants engaged actively throughout the visit, reflecting strong interest in adopting innovative practices within their respective school environments.
During the programme, teachers were introduced to key thematic areas such as innovation and incubation ecosystems in higher education institutions, vocational and skill development pathways under NEP 2020, contemporary teaching-learning methodologies, industry–academia collaboration, and practical strategies for making classrooms more interactive, student-centric, and outcome-oriented. Discussions focused on how these approaches could be adapted effectively within the context of Government schools.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Sunandan Baruah, Director – Innovation, Startup and Acceleration, Assam down town University, highlighted the importance of nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and experiential learning from an early age. He emphasised that innovation is not confined to laboratories or higher education institutions alone but can begin in school classrooms through project-based learning, hands-on activities, and real-life problem-solving exercises.
Prof. Baruah encouraged teachers to adopt interdisciplinary teaching approaches and promote student-led initiatives to foster curiosity and independent thinking among learners. He also highlighted the role of incubation centres in guiding young minds towards innovation and entrepreneurship, noting that early exposure to skill-based learning significantly enhances students’ confidence, adaptability, and career readiness.
The participants were also addressed by Dr. N. N. Dutta, Chancellor, Assam down town University, who shared insights on the evolving role of educators and academic institutions in shaping holistic, inclusive, and future-oriented education systems. He emphasised the importance of values-based education, continuous learning for teachers, and institutional support in creating empowered learners.
Officials from Bharti Airtel Foundation reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to empowering teachers as key agents of educational transformation. They highlighted ongoing initiatives focused on strengthening teaching capacity, improving learning outcomes, and creating enabling environments for students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Representatives from Samagra Shiksha, Kamrup underlined the importance of continuous professional development for teachers in achieving the objectives of NEP 2020. They emphasised that exposure visits such as this play a critical role in updating teachers’ perspectives, introducing innovative methodologies, and encouraging reflective teaching practices within Government schools.
The programme also provided opportunities for peer learning and exchange of ideas among educators. Teachers shared classroom experiences, challenges, and best practices, fostering a collaborative learning environment that extended beyond formal sessions.
The exposure visit concluded with interactive discussions, guided campus tours, and experience-sharing sessions, allowing participants to gain deeper insights into institutional facilities, innovation spaces, and teaching models. Teachers expressed appreciation for the opportunity to observe how higher education institutions integrate innovation, skills, and experiential learning into academic frameworks.
The initiative reflects the shared vision of Bharti Airtel Foundation and Samagra Shiksha to enhance education quality, support teacher empowerment, and create meaningful, future-ready learning environments for students across Kamrup district.
The Teachers’ Educational Exposure Visit Assam initiative highlights the growing emphasis on experiential learning and teacher-led innovation in school education. Such programmes play a crucial role in familiarising educators with emerging pedagogical trends and institutional best practices. Exposure to university-level innovation ecosystems enables teachers to broaden their academic perspectives and classroom approaches. The visit also strengthened linkages between Government schools and higher education institutions.
By aligning teacher development initiatives with NEP 2020, the programme contributes to building student-centric, skill-oriented learning environments. Teachers gained insights into integrating critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills into daily classroom instruction. The interaction encouraged reflective teaching practices and peer learning among educators. Overall, the initiative reinforced the importance of continuous capacity building for teachers to enhance education quality and learner outcomes across Assam.
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