In today’s evolving academic landscape, sustainability and impact-driven learning are no longer niche ideas — they are essential tools for shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Recognizing this, the Centre for Excellence in Sustainable Development (CESD) at the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) has launched an inspiring initiative under the Co-LIFE project — the Faculty Development Program (FDP).
This international program, designed for educators teaching at graduate and postgraduate levels, provides a platform for teachers to explore new pedagogical approaches, global perspectives, and collaborative learning methods — all at no cost.
A Global Learning Experience
The FDP is an eight-month-long program (January to October 2025) that brings together educators and experts from around the world. Through online and offline interactions, it encourages faculty to rethink how impact, sustainability, and entrepreneurship can be taught in higher education.
Participants gain access to a digital platform where they can engage in discussions, exchange ideas, and collaborate with fellow educators working at the intersection of sustainability, development, and education.
Four Modules of Learning and Reflection
The FDP is structured around four modules, each designed to offer deep, practical insights into teaching for impact:
- International Roundtable Conference (January 29, 2025)
The program began with a thought-provoking international conference held in Goa. Faculty members had the opportunity to attend in person or join online to engage with global educators on sustainable learning practices. - Online Workshop on Experiential Learning Pedagogy
The second module focused on learning through experience — helping educators design courses that move beyond theory and foster real-world understanding. - Pedagogy of Learning Through Development
This session introduced a novel framework for teaching sustainability — one that integrates community-based learning and development-driven approaches into higher education. - Service Design and Education (October 2025)
The final module, “An Introduction to Service Design and Service Design in Education,” explored how design thinking can transform the way students and institutions co-create solutions for real-world challenges.
A Step Toward Sustainable Education
The response to the FDP has been deeply encouraging. Educators across disciplines have expressed how these sessions opened new perspectives on designing meaningful, impact-oriented learning experiences.
Through this initiative, GIM’s CESD has set a benchmark in fostering collaboration, curiosity, and innovation among educators — perfectly echoing Co-LIFE’s vision of co-designing learning for impact-focused entrepreneurship.
Looking Ahead
As the FDP concludes its first edition, the momentum it has created continues to inspire educators to reimagine their classrooms as spaces of dialogue, development, and design. The Co-LIFE team proudly celebrates this incredible effort by GIM — a true example of how sustainable impact begins in the classroom.
