While in United Kingdom a decade ago: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

While in United Kingdom a decade ago

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao 

Exactly a decade ago, our team consisting of 16 members left Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi by Lufthansa on 29^th September 2002 early hours for London enrout Slough for a three week Indian Trainers Programme at Thames Valley University (TVU). We had a brief stopover at Frankfurt and changed the craft. It was a real good experience travelling in the Lufthansa Airlines. Airhostess served one meal and a breakfast both of which tasted identical. Whiskey and wine too was served with the meal. We were in a group and hence all the time were comfortable and at home. The flight started half-an-hour late and as result by the time we reached Frankfurt there was hardly any time to catch the connected London flight in which our booking was made. However eleven out of fifteen could get in to the scheduled flight. Rest of us managed confirmation for the next flight.

On reaching London’s Heath rough Airport and after completing immigration formalities we had to wait for an hour in search of the transport supposed to be arranged by the TVU. There was a communication gap and as a result we had to hire taxis to reach the Skyways Hotel in Slough. John Roscoe, the Course Coordinator took the earliest opportunity to reach the hotel and apologize for the inconvenience caused to us. He was in fact waited for us at the airport but could not locate us. After lunch, courtesy Hotel, we had a walk in the streets of Slough doing the first day’s window shopping. We bought prepaid telephone cards to communicate near and dear in India. Also we had a distance look at “Thames Valley Campus”. 

 London’s Heath rough Airport

On day one of our Programme, John Roscoe and Brian Shear down came to the hotel together to lead us to the TVU campus by walk. It lasted nearly 25 minutes and we made it a regular hobby-a healthy habit-daily walking up and down.

Thames Valley University (TVU) where the Indian trainers Programme, under the UNDP project was held, has a distinctive mission and culture. It combines outstanding expertise in vocational skills. It has wonderful facilities-a state of art library building, known as the Learning Resource Centre (LRC). It has a technology both in hard and soft ware besides being an architecturally prize winning building. Tony Blair inaugurated this centre before he became the UK Prime Minister. TVU has an international reputation for music, digital arts, management education, hospitality and health care. As a student of TVU, with the ID card on hand, I could access to LRC from day one. This resource based training was in a way encouraging us as students to learn at our place fixing us responsibility for our own learning. TVU's slough campus is located across the road from slough railway station and slough bus station making public transport a good option for travelling. We however every day were walking 25 minutes either way to the campus and back. TVU region offers the best of both worlds. On the one hand the culture, shopping, arts and entertainment of Britain's capital. On the other hand, the heritage and open country side of Berkshire and Thames valley. 

 Thames Valley University

On day one John Roscoe, Rod Stone and Brian Shear down were present as the Resource Persons. The schedule was distributed. Formal introduction of the participants and the Resource Persons with brief details of the individual experiences and their roles was first in the agenda. The resource persons recalled their earlier contacts and experiences with Indian Trainers and training programmes in India with which they were associated.

The participants requested for changes in the schedule so that it can be oriented more towards non-distance learning aspects, while keeping the DLM (Distance Learning Mode) content. They also requested for inclusion of TNA (Training Needs Analysis) aspect. The resource persons and the coordinator responded positively and the changes were made subsequently. They did not agree however to the request of participants for inclusion of a session dealing with trainer training aspects in respect of non-DLM modules already developed by them under UNDP.

The one and only session on day one was on “Learning and Developing Contracts” by Rod Stone. He dealt the aspects of Marshal and Mill theory on learning contracts, involving the participant’s all through. A list of 20 possible key issues in training was circulated later and the participants were asked to go through them and come out with suggestions for more inclusions. The participants expressed the view that majority of them deal with distance learning and need to be revived. The Resource persons called for other options. Finally the consensus was that the four namely: 1. Gaining commitment of the stakeholders in training, 2. Making training needs analysis a reality, 3. Recommendations to increase the transfer of learning from formal courses to learner’s workplace and 4. Review methods and strategies to introduce more learner centered approaches in the direct training provision of government training centers, would be the key issues for the project.

In the afternoon Ms. Kate and Ms. Sue took us round the TVU campus and also introduced to the Learning resource Centre. She organized photographs of us for obtaining an identity card.

The topic for the second day’s session was “Evaluation of Training: Evaluating Training Interventions” facilitated by Rod Stone. The contents covered were: purpose of evaluation-Mark Easterby Smith model, Chain of consequences model and styles of approach to evaluation. The participants were divided in to three groups to work on: 1. Identifying issues that need to be addressed to review the effectiveness of a training centre, 2. Developing criteria to evaluate external trainers and an implementation plan for that and 3. Designing process and checklist that enables to review the effectiveness of distance /open learning materials.

The group with which I was associated worked on the second topic. We first identified who the external trainers for government institutes are and then identified the problems encountered with them with reference to delivery of training. The group listed out the criteria to evaluate and suggested a workshop for external trainers that can be titled as “Learner centred design and delivery”. The other groups also came out with their suggestions. Useful discussion took place on all the presentations. Rod also covered some of the aspects of “organising the Training Function”. He explained Zenger-Miller’s ten factors on “Training for Organisational Excellence”.

The next day’s session started with all the four groups working on their preliminary approach to their project on key issues in training assigned to them on the first day. This took an hour and that was followed by presentations. Our group worked out on “Gaining commitment of the stakeholders in training”. The group’s presentation covered four major aspects namely: 1. Background and context in which the commitment of stakeholders is required, 2. who are all these stakeholders? 3. The type of commitment to be sought from them and 4. Broad implementation strategy. Similarly other groups also made their presentations on their assigned key issue topics. Very interesting and useful summing up and discussion took place on all the presentations.

Brian Shear down not only facilitated the third day’s forenoon session but also drove all the participants-he being on the driver’s seat-to the Ray Mill Island owned and managed by Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, that afternoon. Thus we had a taste of the heritage and open country side thanks to the ever enthusiastic faculty Brian Shear down. The 66 years old Brian drove us all in a van to that beautiful spot where the diverted waters of Thames River flow. It was a thirty minute one way drive passing through business centers of Slough and all through this old man explained us everything. River Thames, the most popular of UK, which flows perhaps all through the country once, said to have been severely flooded at slough. A rail bridge constructed in 1860 near it is still intact. Once polluted water is now fit for drinking according to Brian. All along the diverted water banks one can see Apple and Maple (huge) trees as well as scores of others including Oak. Fishing and swimming is allowed but discouraged. Through the huge sluice gates water flows. Hired boats with kitchen facility are rented for weeks. 

 Ray Mill Island

A beautiful girl was seen handling the tourists politely in the nearby “Boulters Lock Hotel". It was formerly “the old Ray Flour Mill" built in 1726 AD and converted to an Inn in 1950. For the Scotch Whiskey I paid here 2 pounds for a 25 ml peg! The Ray Mill Island, where one can find ducks and ducks all around, with varied sizes, dates back when Ray family managed a flour mill here. The mill stream which once powered the mill still flows along the western side of the island. Ray mills were in use till 20th century. The island formed its gardens and retained the same lay out say people here. Then it was managed as public place. Varied ornamental trees described already, and stream of diverted water was still a private garden, but beautiful site to see.

The Ray Mill Island is owned and managed by Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. The sheltered paths provided us pleasant walks and the huge lawns where we sat for a while are ideal for picnics. It resembled like the Indira Park where we used to go for "vanabhojanalu" couple of times. Two beautiful sculptures-"maiden with swans" and "The Companions" are added attractions to tourists like us. Thames River flows along the border of Royal Borough for 22 miles and many important sites of wild life are referred here. It is said that the river provides a breeding habitat for many water birds. To mention a few: Mallard, Mute swan, Great Crested grebe, Kingfisher, Black headed gull, Mandarin duck, Moorhen, European cool etc., My efforts to see kingfisher did not succeed. A trust known as Thames Salomon Trust sponsored by His Royal Highness Prince of Wales was opened on 19th May, 2000 by one Sir Brian Moffat OBE. Boulters Weir is the latest in a series of such built here over the last 600 years. The large sluices on this which are being operated now are still called BUCK GATES. Here there is yet another attraction-Ray Mill Island Aviary, which keeps in it for tourist attraction, a variety of birds like Budgerigar, Cocktail, Diamond Doves, Zebra finch, Chinese painted quail, red ramped, parakeet, Bengali see finch etc. Driving back from there, through the forest with inmates singing songs resembled a drive through Bhadrachalam forest. Brian has not only Brain to train but energy to drive his trainees to places of interest.

The third day’s session was on “Facilitating Learning” and the facilitator was Ms. Joy Butcher of the TVU. Initiating the topic Butcher elicited the views of the participants with regards the difference between ‘expert’ centered training and ‘facilitator’ centered training. It was in the form of an exercise –facilitating learning. She explained on the difference between learner centered approach and trainer centered approach. A group exercise on the benefits to the learners through facilitative mode of training was given. Excellent ideas came out from groups. Challenges of wonderful facilitator were discussed.

A video on “Work-based Counselling Skills”-“Have you a Moment?” was played and a review in the form of role-play exercise was made. The other contents covered include single loop and double loop learning, action learning, facilitation tools etc.  An interesting exercise in the form of a debate dividing the plenary in to two groups was organised. A resolution was written on the flipchart that read: “This house resolves that every organisation has to become an expert in facilitating learning”. One group was supposed to write points in favour and the other against. I am in the group that was in favor.

Joy Butcher combining her training and facilitation skills with fine humor, perfect exhibition of body language as well as giving away occasional gifts to the trainees stole the hearts of each and every participant. All through she mingled and moved with participants and was the first faculty to have had lunch with the participants. She was an Expert and also a facilitator.

The fifth day’s session covered the content of “e-learning at TVU”. Faculty Clarke dealt with the background of how the learning materials development unit (LMD) of TVU has been functioning. He mentioned about the open learning materials in support of flexible learning programmes. He gave also examples of flexible learning programme. They covered use of LRC, tutor support system and work based learning. He also talked about dissertation guide and constraints involved in it. Later we were taken to the LRC, where we were given a briefing of how we can make use of the systems and access their web sites.

The sixth day was for a social visit to London.

The visit to London for the Indian Trainers team was organized on 5^th October 2002, with Rod Stone guiding the team. After the breakfast, the team walked down to the Slough Railway station, where Rod was waiting to receive them. He handed over the Travel Cards (TC) to all. Everyone who visits UK and London should know what the TC is. A daily, weekly or monthly TC allows unlimited travel in Grater London on the rail net work, buses, underground and the Dock Lands Railway (DLR). One can then travel on any combination of tube, train, bus and DLR within the selected zones as many times as he or she wishes for as long as that is valid. It is the most convenient way of getting around (eliminating the need to stand in queue and carry change). It is also considerably cheaper if one intends to do more than one journey.

We took the daily TC the cost of which was around 8.5 pounds-half the normal cost. We made altogether four journeys with that. Before entering the platform we need to swipe the card at the entry to let in. The platform and the whole Slough station looks like any Indian railway station. Trains with considerable speed halts, the doors open, the passengers get in, the doors close and with the same speed the train starts and soon picks up more speed. The trains seating arrangement is also unique, with a table in between opposite rows.

            In fifteen minutes reached London’s Paddington Station (Central London) - a large and huge railway terminal. Looked like multifold Bombay or Chennai stations. We walked towards the eastbound platform number two to catch tube to Euston Square (Hammersmith line). From the platform, within yards either side we can see the tube way- a tunnel like in appearance.

 London’s Paddington Station

            Travelling by train and tube in UK is an excellent experience. There are various overland rail net works that run across London and are divided as District and City Circles. Now-a-days most of them are privatized. Thames railways run through Slough. Tube and bus fares are based on a six-zone system and the most economical way of getting around is by a TC. It is very crowded during rush hours but at all other times it is relatively fast and comfortable way of travelling.

            The tube is an old system and much of the net work was designed and built over 100 years ago. Refurbishment and repair to modern standards are very slow and certainly difficult. The tube way also creates congestion, overcrowding and breakdowns that cause delays. London Underground limited was formed in 1985, but its history dates back to 1863, when the first world’s underground railway opened in London. With over 3 million passenger journeys a day, 507 trains, and 275 stations and with a staff of about 16,500 its network is very big. London UG was at that time working towards establishment of Public Private Partnership.

            From London Paddington to reach Euston Square we passed through three stations- Edgware road, Bakers street and Great Portland street. Baker’s Street is the home place of Shellac Holmes, where he still lived and maintained a house. It was a ten-minute travel.

            Our next place to reach was British Museum. We walked down in the London’s University Street and Gower Street to reach the place. On the way we saw the great “Welcome Building”- a library, opposite the Euston Square. The other buildings we came across were: University College of London (Where we saw a small portrait of Karl Marx on top), The Medical College and the Darwin’s Building. There on the Darwin’s Building a plaque that read: “London County Council Building-Charles Darwin-1809-1885, Naturalist lived in a house on this site during 1838-1842” could also be seen. In another building it was recorded that: “the first anesthesia given in England was administered in a house here on 19^th December 1846”. 

 British Museum Entrance

With Rod Stone accompanying us we walked down through Grower Street to British Museum and spent an hour and half, where the main attraction was the ‘Reading room’. From there we walked to the famous ‘Covent Garden Market’ to have a glimpse of the stalls, shops and the street entertainment. Then we moved to ‘Trafalgar Square’ towards the ‘National Art Gallery’ and spent just fifteen minutes there. After lunch we walked down through Whitehall passing Admiralty Arch, Horse guards Parade, Downing Street and India Office to Parliament Square.

From there walked to see Westminster Abbey, St Margaret Church, and Houses of Parliament. Then walking across Westminster Bridge arrived at London Eye. Flight on the London Eye was very interesting, as we could see from a height the whole of London-a sky view. After that we walked along Thames to Hungerford Bridge to reach Embankment Tube for Paddington. From Paddington we boarded a train to reach Slough by about 7-00pm.

On day seven the first holiday after our arrival and the day started late like on any holiday. Some of our colleagues hurriedly left for nearby South all, a place where majority of population comprises of Indians-Punjabis. Seven of us a little later walked for an hour to reach the “Windsor Castle”-Official Residence of Her Majesty the Queen. The castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is the home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The castle’s dramatic site encapsulates 900 years of British history. Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and for its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it has been used by a succession of monarchs and is the longest-occupied palace in Europe. The castles lavish, early 19th-century State Apartments are architecturally significant. The castle includes the 15th-century St George's Chapel. More than five hundred people live and work in Windsor, making it the largest inhabited castle in the world. Originally designed to protect Norman dominance around the outskirts of London, and to oversee a strategically important part of the River Thames, Windsor Castle was built as a motte and bailey, with three wards surrounding a central mound. It is said that, the queen and her family spend most of their private weekends at Windsor Castle. When we arrived here we were told that she was here that day. 

 Windsor Castle

The topic for the day eight was “Training Needs Analysis and its link to Evaluation”. The Resource Person was Rod Stone. The contents covered include: 1. three levels of TNA-key areas-present situation, 2. schematic form of steps in TNA, 3. Learning Organizations theory and 4. Senges five disciplines of systems principle- Personal Mastery, Mental    Models, Shared Vision, Team Learning and Systems thinking. A video presentation on learning organization was also made. It gave example of one organization wanting to be a learning organization and also dealt with systems thinking.

There were two group exercises. One was on “How Training and Development Activities can assist in Systems Principle”- then “How to identify the needs and assess the effectiveness”. The group with which I was associated dealt with the principle of ‘Team Learning’. The second exercise given to the group with which I was associated was on “Identifying Managers learning needs”. Other groups were given similar exercise on “Identification of key stake holders” and “Partnership design opportunity with management education provider”.

On day nine Patrick Casey, Regional Marketing and Business Development Manager South Asia, Ms. Amelia Sanders Marketing and Business Development Support Officer and Mike Dean Quality Assurance Manager- all from City and Guilds, an International Qualifications Awarding Body made a presentation on their activities. They mentioned that they were proposing to open a centre in India at Delhi shortly. Afternoon, we spent in the LRC.

 On Day ten after the breakfast, accompanied by Brian Shear down, left for the Civil Service College at Sunningdale Park, about 20 miles from Slough, by road. Sunningdale is a beautiful place about 40 miles away from slough. It has beautiful landscape with lovely trees all around. At the entrance of the college it was written, that, the college was opened on 26^th June 1970 by the then Prime Minister Edward Heath. The park together with its grounds of about 63 acres became the headquarters and one of the centres of the Civil Service College in 1969. The garden with beautiful landscape, huge trees and small tanks is a place every one desires to stay and enjoy. Now known as Centre for Management and Policy Studies (CMPS), it has two units in it. One is the Corporate Development and Training Directorate (CDT) and the other is Civil Service College (CSC) Directorate. Mr. Ken Ingram, Development and Training Consultant made a presentation to our team members in the forenoon highlighting the activities of both these directorates. The CDT is responsible for the events geared towards ministers and senior officials as well as helping them respond to the challenges of modernisation. However most of these related courses are run in London. The CSC’s original aim was to raise professionalism of civil servants and the quality of management in government. They accordingly run over 450 courses for which the customers now are beyond the civil service. 

 Sunningdale Park

After the lunch, in the afternoon, Dee Appleton another Development and Training Consultant had an interactive session. The topics touched included: How to seek commitment of stakeholders, How to conduct TNA, Practical problems in training implementation, Transfer of Learning, Evaluation etc., She brought out aspects of Systematic Approach to Training linking it to organisational aims, Public employment scenario in UK, the four principles of investors in people and so on. The visit was quite interesting and very useful.

On day Eleven John Roscoe co-ordinated the program and took us to London by train and tube. Reached the Malpas Flexible Learning Centre located in the Africa House on the 79 High Street. It was a two minutes walk from Hallbourne Underground. Margaret Malpas, the CEO of the organisation explained in detail about her centre projecting it as one of the leading provider of professional education in HR and Training. She said there are only six such centres in UK and their concept is supporting DLM mode with interactive sessions once in a while. She claimed that 60 percent of Public Sector employees come to their centre for certification.

After the forenoon session we walked through the Kings way, Portugal Street, London School of Economics, Connaught House in the Westminster and boarded a bus bound to London Tower and Tower Bridge. From there we also saw the monument built in memory of the 1666 fire in London. We then walked down the Thames path to climb London Bridge on Thames River opened by Queen Elizabeth on 16^th March 1973.  We got in to Tube at London Bridge Station to go to Oxford Street. From there walked down through Queen’s College and Harley Street to reach 3, Devonshire Street where the Open Learning Foundation is located. Professor Collin Harrison, Managing Director of the foundation interacted with the team members for an hour and half. The Open Learning Foundation was created at a time when Higher education in the UK was starting to experience rapid expansion. Then the government was debating a policy to create more Universities and to try to move the number of the population entering higher education from about 10% to something approaching 30%. The MD said the foundation is now in its 12^th year of providing quality open learning materials, support for flexible learning development and research staff development and training. The evening we spent in London in sight seeing and visited places like Buckingham Palace, Green Park, Hyde Park, Wellington Arch and Albert Memorial besides window shopping as usual. Returned back to Slough by late evening.

The scheduled work for the twelfth day was to complete the first draft work on the key issue projects, that were identified and assigned to each of the four groups. The group with which I am associated was assigned with the project on “gaining commitment of stakeholders in training”. Brian was waiting at LCR to guide the work and gone through our initial draft on which we had been working from the day one and recorded his feedback. The group discussed the feedback and incorporated information in accordance with his feedback. The other members of the group were: Mr. Rakesh Singhal of Jaipur, Ms. Sunita Zalpuri Kaul of Jammu and Mr. Anjani Kumar of Bhopal.

After the breakfast on day thirteen, accompanied by Brian, we left by bus to Oxford. An hour’s drive from Slough, Oxford is on the UK Highway M40, the London-Birmingham road. We drove down Bond’s studios, Highway comb-a place where furniture making is popular and Oxford Park and Ride. We got down at the Marlin Bridge and moved to the Britain’s oldest garden, founded in 1621, the University of Oxford Botanical Garden. In the beginning it was meant for growing plants for medicinal research, and now it had about 8000 species in just about four and half acres.

Oxford has a rich diversity of Museums open to the public. One of them is the “Ashmolean Museum”- Britain’s oldest and greatest museum. On display are the University’s rich and diverse collections of British, European, Egyptian and Near Eastern antiquities as well as Oriental art including that of India. The ‘Imaging India’ gallery displayed an oil painting of A.W. Devis depicting the process of striking coins in India. Prior to 1790s and before British introduced mechanical coin production in India hands struck coins were in existence. A few of the world’s largest and smallest coins are of Indian origin and they are on display in the museum. Gold 1000 and 200 Mohair pieces of Mogul Emperors weighing 11 and 2 kilograms as well as a small 170-milligram coin-‘fanam’ are on display among others. 

 Ashmolean Museum

The other museums of importance are ‘the Oxford Museum of Natural History’ and ‘Pitt Rivers Museum of Oxford University’ (PRM). With more than 50,000 objects on display, the PRM offers visitors a glimpse in to the times and lives of many world cultures-past and present. General Pitt Rivers founded it in 1884 and then there were hardly 1800 objects. Objects are on display here ‘typologically’, grouping by function or purpose rather than geographical or cultural origin. Fish hook of pacific islands, milk container of Kenya, bass lyre guitar of England, chauper gaming board (Pachchees Patta) with dice and pieces of India, palm leaf books from South India, tools used to collect soot from lamps in India etc., are some of the interesting objects among others.

Oxford University is like a federal set-up with 39 independent and autonomous colleges scattered all over Oxford. While University gets money from state the colleges have to raise their own finances. University awards the degree on successful completion of studies and on passing the exams to the students. Attending classes is not compulsory but every student is attached to a tutor to whom they are expected to submit on a weekly basis the assignments as a proof of their acquiring required knowledge. If a student fails continuously twice he is considered to be a dropout, the percentage of which is less than 2. In Arts faculty two years after obtaining degree the student is awarded automatically postgraduate certificate- a unique feature of this university alone.

Oxford University is the oldest English speaking university, which so far had produced 25 British Prime Ministers including the then PM Tony Blair. 45 Nobel laureates including Amartya Sen, V.S. Naipaul, Gunnar Myrdal, Linus Pauling and T.S. Eliot belong to the Oxford University community either as alumni or as non-alumni.

Reached back to Slough by evening.

On day Fourteen-the last Sunday before we were to complete our training, we utilized for shopping. Though the London-Slough market is very expensive, on Sundays and other holidays lot of items would be on sale and comparatively cheaper then. We made use of the opportunity and though it was a rainy day we could do a major portion of our shopping.

Days fifteen and sixteen were devoted for ‘Mentoring: Skills development Workshop’ with Dave Clarke as the resource person. Dave who had about 30 years of experience in mentoring and work based learning did an extremely nice job in handling the sessions which were highly participative in nature. The workshop was aimed at providing participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to be able to effectively develop a mentoring system and to perform the role of mentor to others in assisting with their professional development.

Initiating the theme on the first day he raised questions and debated on the aspects of: mentor-mentee pairing, internal-external mentors, seniority-level-ability of mentors, formal-informal mentoring and linkages to training function with organisational examples. Then he dealt with the mentoring processes including types of mentoring relationships. He also described about John Stephenson’s model of mentoring besides identification of mentee’s learning and development needs, ways of learning, learning styles and work based learning. The most important aspect was: “familiarizing the unfamiliar problem”.

The following day it was more on activity based mentoring aspects. To begin with it was an individual and group exercise on “what sort of person would be ideal as my mentor”. Next activity was on eliciting views of the participants about their hopes and fears at the first meeting with their mentor. An interesting aspect was his expansion of the word “LISTEN” which according to him is: L-look interested I-inquire with questions, S-shut up, T-test understanding, E-evaluate messages and N-neutralize our feelings.

Dave Clarke did a wonderful job in imparting the required knowledge and skills for developing an effective mentoring system. It was highly interactive giving participants many opportunities to identify and practise the sub-skills involved in mentoring. The methods used looked like the ones based upon activities, which were tried and tested earlier. They included exercises and individual/group perceptions supplemented with discussions. He in-fact on the second day read out from his personal diary, the learning logs of the previous day’s session.

All the participants in their respective groups were busy on day 17, in LRC in finalizing the key issue projects and also seeking guidance from Joy Butcher, who helped the groups in incorporating the feedback from Brian.

Day 18 was the day every participant anxiously looked at. All out efforts from all the groups posed a confidence look to the resource persons. Exactly at 11-00 am the first group’s presentation on “Transfer of learning” (Savthri, Pinacki, Lalchand and Minz) began and exactly took an hour including discussion and comments. Second group’s presentation on “Learner centered approach” (Sujatha, Menon, Sharma and Sinha) was in the forenoon. After lunch the first presentation was on “Training needs Analysis” by the third group (Wadhwa, Naresh, Wankhade and Nandi) followed by the last group’s (Jwala, Sunita, Rakesh and Anjani) on “Gaining Commitment of stakeholders in Training”. The feedback from the resource persons on all the presentations was excellent.

LAST DAY-The day being the last day of the course, began with exchanging pleasantries and formal and informal feedback by the participants. What was liked, disliked, improvements required and other suggestions were solicited and obtained from the participants. With certification to the participants by Peter Kayes, Director TVU Slough campus and parting words the formal sessions concluded and everyone is on his/her way for last moment shopping. The next day we left Slough for New Delhi via London.