Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab, successfully organized a week-long Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on “Contemporary Trends in Research Methodology and Teaching Pedagogy: A Multidisciplinary Approach” from 14th to 19th July 2025 in online mode. The event was organized by the Centre for Advanced Studies in Human Rights in association with the Centre for Advanced Studies in Labour Welfare, RGNUL Punjab. In this Program, approximately 190 participants have participated.
The programme was formally inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Jai S. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, RGNUL Punjab who emphasized the importance of faculty development in an evolving academic ecosystem. He underscored the relevance of multidisciplinary teaching approaches and the integration of research and ethics in pedagogy to equip educators with modern tools and critical thinking frameworks.
Throughout the week, eminent academicians and subject matter experts from across the country engaged participants in enriching sessions:
First Day, Prof. (Dr.) Jayanti Dutta, Director, MMTTC, Panjab University, Chandigarh, delivered the opening session on “Creative Thinking and Skills in Research.” She discussed the significance of innovation, creativity, and cognitive flexibility in academic research. Participants were encouraged to break away from rigid patterns of thought and adopt open-minded approaches for problem-solving in scholarly work.
On Second day, Dr. Niteesh Kumar Upadhyay, Associate Professor, School of Law, Dhirubhai Ambani University, Gandhinagar, conducted a session on “Challenges and Opportunities of Using Open-Access Online Sources in Doctrinal Research.” He explored the accessibility and ethical dimensions of open-source materials. The session also addressed issues of data authenticity, plagiarism risks, and the responsible use of AI in legal research.
On Third Day, Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Ranga, Registrar, J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, (Haryana) presented an insightful lecture on “Formation of Research Problem and Hypothesis.” He elaborated on identifying research gaps, refining problem statements, and developing testable hypotheses. Through real-life examples, he guided participants on how to build a strong foundation for impactful academic inquiry.
On Fourth Day, Prof. (Dr.) Amit Kauts, Professor of Education, Department of Education, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, introduced participants to “Flipped Learning,” an interactive pedagogical model that promotes active student engagement and blended learning. He emphasized shifting from traditional lectures to student-led inquiry and collaboration, making classrooms more dynamic and learner-centric.
On Fifth Day, Dr. Divyansha Kumar, Assistant Professor of Management, Chitkara University, Rajpura, delivered a session on “Basics of Data Analysis and SPSS.” She demonstrated the application of SPSS software in social science research and data interpretation. The session included hands-on examples of data input, variable classification, and output analysis to improve research accuracy.
On Sixth Day, the concluding session was led by Prof. (Dr.) Kiran Gupta, Professor (Retired), Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, on “Relevance of Ethics in Legal Research.” She emphasized the role of academic integrity, citation practices, and intellectual honesty in legal scholarship. Drawing from her vast experience, she highlighted common ethical pitfalls and how to uphold standards in doctrinal and empirical research.
The vote of thanks for the event was delivered by Dr. Shiva Satish Sharda, who acknowledged the contributions of all speakers, participants, and the dedicated organizing team. The success of the FDP was made possible through the leadership and support of the Organizing Committee, comprising Patron-in-Chief Prof. (Dr.) Jai S. Singh, Vice Chancellor, Patron Dr. Ivneet Walia, Registrar (Officiating), and Faculty Coordinators Dr. Jaswinder Kaur, Dr. Shiva Satish Sharda, Dr. Manpreet Kaur, and Dr. Sukhwinder Kaur Virk, Coordinators, CASIHR and CASLW RGNUL Punjab.
Special appreciation was extended to the Student Convenors Mr. Birendra Singh, Ph.D. Scholar, Ms. Jashandeep Kaur, and Mr. Arun Rathod, for their committed efforts and smooth coordination throughout the event. Their teamwork, planning, and execution ensured the FDP was informative, interactive, and impactful.
The programme concluded on a high note with enthusiastic feedback from participants across institutions, reaffirming RGNUL’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation in pedagogy, and the promotion of high-quality multidisciplinary research.
The report can be accessed here.