SCERT Uttarakhand Participates in UNESCO International Webinar on Advanced AI Applications for Greening Education

Dehradun | 24 June 2026

In a significant global initiative to explore the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), sustainability, and education, UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) in collaboration with the Weidong Cloud Education Group organized an international webinar titled "Advanced AI Applications for Greening Education" on 24 June 2026. The webinar brought together educators, researchers, policymakers, and academic leaders from different countries to discuss how AI can contribute to environmental sustainability and support greener education systems worldwide.

Representing SCERT Uttarakhand, Ramesh Prasad Badoni, IT Faculty, National ICT Awardee, and Fulbright Scholar, participated in the international event and engaged with experts and educators from across the globe. The webinar focused on transforming educational practices through AI-enabled solutions that support climate action, environmental awareness, and sustainable development goals.

Opening Session

The webinar was formally opened by Tatiana Suhova from UNESCO IITE, who welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of empowering educators with practical knowledge and innovative approaches to integrate sustainability and emerging technologies into teaching-learning processes. She emphasized that education institutions play a vital role in preparing future generations to address environmental challenges through responsible and ethical use of technology.

Distinguished International Speakers

The webinar featured a series of keynote presentations delivered by internationally recognized experts.

Sonia Savci (UNESCO Headquarters)

Topic: Greening Education in the Age of AI: Opportunities, Risks, and Questions Ahead

Ms. Sonia Savci introduced UNESCO's Greening Education Partnership and discussed how education systems can become more climate-responsive and sustainability-focused. She highlighted four major pillars of action:

• Greening Schools
• Greening Curriculum
• Greening Teacher Training and Education Systems
• Greening Communities

She posed four critical questions for educators worldwide:

• What does it mean to teach with AI for sustainability?
• How do we prepare learners to navigate AI critically in an era of misinformation?
• What is the environmental footprint of AI itself?
• How can education actively shape greener and more responsible AI futures?

Her presentation emphasized climate literacy, media and information literacy, responsible AI use, and integrating sustainability values into AI competency frameworks for students and teachers.

Dr. Margarita Pavlova

Education University of Hong Kong

Topic: AI and Greening Education for Sustainable Development

Dr. Pavlova explored the transformative potential of AI in supporting sustainability. She demonstrated how AI technologies can help society measure, optimize, and transform environmental systems through smart agriculture, resource management, renewable energy solutions, climate monitoring, and sustainable innovation.

She stressed that sustainability must become a core competency within education systems. Through concept-based learning and real-world problem solving, students can learn to apply AI for environmental monitoring, data analysis, pattern recognition, and sustainable decision-making.

Several inspiring examples were shared, including smart environmental systems, carbon footprint measurement tools, sustainable city planning, AI-powered agriculture, and innovative clean-air technologies such as smog-free towers.

A key takeaway from her session was that education should move beyond memorization toward meaningful learning that enables students to understand and solve sustainability challenges.

Dr. Oksana Novikova

UNESCO Chair on Distance Education in Engineering, State University of Aerospace Instrumentation (SUAI), Russia

Topic: AI Applications for Greening Education: Creativity, Reliability and Critical Thinking

Dr. Novikova demonstrated practical AI applications that educators can use immediately in classrooms and training programs. Her presentation showcased several tools and platforms for environmental learning, content creation, and educational innovation.

The tools highlighted included:

• ChatGPT
• Canva AI
• Gamma AI
• Tome AI
• Kandinsky
• Suno AI
• Google AI for Earth
• Microsoft AI for Earth
• Planet Labs
• Julius AI
• PlantNet
• iNaturalist

She explained how these tools can support lesson planning, environmental data analysis, biodiversity identification, simulations, project-based learning, and interactive educational content.

She also emphasized three important principles while using AI:

• Critical Thinking
• Balance between Technology and Human Interaction
• Data Security and Ethical Use

Prof. Madya Dr. Nurfaradilla Mohamad Nasri

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia

Topic: Shaping Sustainable Futures through AI Literacy: Insights from Teacher Education and Practice

Prof. Nasri focused on preparing future generations through AI literacy and sustainability-oriented education. She challenged educators with an important question:

"By 2030, do we need graduates who can simply use AI, or graduates who can solve climate change, energy challenges, food insecurity, and environmental degradation using AI?"

She presented UNESCO's AI Competency Framework for Teachers, which includes:

• Human-Centred Mindset
• Ethics and Responsible Use
• Foundations and Applications of AI
• AI Pedagogy
• Lifelong Professional Development

Her presentation demonstrated that when AI is connected to authentic sustainability challenges, student engagement increases, collaboration improves, and learners become more reflective about their social and environmental responsibilities.

She also highlighted the importance of developing "Green Skills" and noted that the future workforce will require environmental literacy, digital literacy, AI literacy, and problem-solving capabilities to support sustainable economies.

Key Themes Discussed During the Webinar

Throughout the webinar, experts highlighted several important themes:

• Integration of AI with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
• Climate Change Education and Environmental Literacy
• Responsible and Ethical AI Use
• Green Skills Development for Future Employment
• AI Competency Frameworks for Teachers and Students
• Environmental Data Analysis and Monitoring
• Combating Climate Misinformation
• Sustainable Innovation through Digital Technologies
• Open Educational Resources and Digital Public Goods
• Teacher Capacity Building for AI-enabled Learning

Relevance for School Education in Uttarakhand

The discussions were particularly relevant for Uttarakhand, where SCERT is actively promoting digital transformation through initiatives such as AI-enabled MOOCs, DIKSHA content development, PM eVIDYA channels, virtual classrooms, Innovation and Design Thinking programs, and technology-based teacher professional development.

The ideas shared during the webinar align closely with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), and UNESCO's vision for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

Participation from SCERT Uttarakhand

Representing SCERT Uttarakhand, Ramesh Prasad Badoni actively participated in the international discussions and interacted with experts from UNESCO and partner institutions. The webinar provided valuable insights into integrating AI, sustainability, environmental literacy, and future-ready skills into school education.

The participation reflects SCERT Uttarakhand's commitment to adopting global best practices and strengthening teacher capacity in emerging educational technologies while promoting environmentally responsible and sustainable learning systems.

The UNESCO international webinar successfully demonstrated that Artificial Intelligence can become a powerful force for environmental sustainability when guided by ethical principles, critical thinking, and learner-centred approaches. The experts collectively emphasized that the future of education lies not merely in teaching students how to use AI, but in empowering them to use AI responsibly to address real-world challenges and build a greener, more sustainable future for all.

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000390028

अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस 2026: विद्यालयी शिक्षा उत्तराखंड में स्वास्थ्य, अनुशासन और सकारात्मकता का उत्सव

 

21 जून 2026 को अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस के अवसर पर विद्यालयी शिक्षा विभाग, उत्तराखंड के प्रांगण में योग एवं स्वास्थ्य जागरूकता का एक प्रेरणादायी आयोजन संपन्न हुआ। इस अवसर पर विद्यालयी शिक्षा परिवार के अधिकारियों, कर्मचारियों, शिक्षकों एवं विभिन्न इकाइयों के प्रतिनिधियों ने उत्साहपूर्वक सहभागिता करते हुए योग को अपने जीवन का अभिन्न अंग बनाने का संकल्प लिया।

कार्यक्रम का शुभारम्भ माध्यमिक शिक्षा निदेशक डॉ. मुकुल कुमार सती  द्वारा दीप प्रज्ज्वलन के साथ किया गया। दोनों अधिकारियों ने उपस्थित सभी प्रतिभागियों को योग दिवस की शुभकामनाएँ देते हुए स्वस्थ जीवनशैली अपनाने का संदेश दिया।

योग प्रशिक्षकों के मार्गदर्शन में सभी प्रतिभागियों ने प्राणायाम, ध्यान तथा विभिन्न योगासन का अभ्यास किया। लगभग एक घंटे तक चले इस सत्र में प्रतिभागियों ने पूर्ण समर्पण और उत्साह के साथ योगाभ्यास किया। प्रशिक्षकों ने समय-समय पर आवश्यक निर्देश देते हुए योग की सही तकनीकों और मुद्राओं का प्रदर्शन किया, जिससे सभी प्रतिभागी सुरक्षित एवं प्रभावी ढंग से योग का अभ्यास कर सकें।

निदेशक अकादमिक शोध एवं प्रशिक्षण वंदना गर्ब्याल ने अपने संबोधन मेंअंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस 2026 की थीम पर प्रकाश डालते हुए कहा कि वर्तमान समय में योग केवल एक शारीरिक गतिविधि नहीं, बल्कि स्वस्थ एवं संतुलित जीवन का आधार बन चुका है। उन्होंने विशेष रूप से अधिकारियों एवं कर्मचारियों से आग्रह किया कि बढ़ती आयु और कार्यगत व्यस्तताओं के बीच योग को अपनी दैनिक दिनचर्या का हिस्सा बनाना अत्यंत आवश्यक है। उन्होंने युवा अधिकारियों एवं कर्मचारियों को भी योग आंदोलन को आगे बढ़ाने और इसे समाज के प्रत्येक वर्ग तक पहुँचाने के लिए प्रेरित किया।

उन्होंने कहा कि विद्यालयों में योग संस्कृति को और अधिक सशक्त बनाना समय की आवश्यकता है ताकि विद्यार्थी प्रारम्भिक अवस्था से ही स्वास्थ्य, अनुशासन, एकाग्रता एवं मानसिक संतुलन के महत्व को समझ सकें। उन्होंने आयोजन के सफल संचालन हेतु डॉ. मुकुल कुमार सती को बधाई एवं धन्यवाद भी दिया।

कार्यक्रम का प्रारम्भिक संचालन डॉ. भगवती मेंदोली द्वारा किया गया। आयोजन में अपर निदेशक पद्मेंद्र सकलानी, कुंवर सिंह , संयुक्त निदेशक जे पी काला एवं वित्त अधिकारी सहित विभाग के अनेक वरिष्ठ अधिकारी एवं कर्मचारी उपस्थित रहे। कार्यक्रम के प्रशासनिक समन्वयक उपनिदेशक पंकज शर्मा ने समस्त व्यवस्थाओं का कुशल संचालन किया तथा प्रतिभागियों के लिए आवश्यक सुविधाओं का ध्यान रखा।

योग सत्र की शुरुआत में उप निदेशक पंकज शर्मा के समन्वयन मे सभी प्रतिभागियों को विशेष योगा टी-शर्ट प्रदान की गई, जिससे पूरे परिसर में एकरूपता और उत्साह का वातावरण दिखाई दिया। कार्यक्रम के समापन पर जलपान की व्यवस्था की गई, जहाँ सभी अधिकारियों एवं कर्मचारियों ने आपसी संवाद और सौहार्दपूर्ण वातावरण के बीच योग दिवस के अनुभव साझा किए।

यह आयोजन केवल एक औपचारिक कार्यक्रम नहीं था, बल्कि स्वास्थ्य, मानसिक संतुलन, सकारात्मक सोच और सामूहिक सहभागिता का जीवंत उदाहरण बनकर उभरा। विद्यालयी शिक्षा उत्तराखंड द्वारा आयोजित यह योग दिवस कार्यक्रम इस संदेश के साथ संपन्न हुआ कि "स्वस्थ व्यक्ति ही स्वस्थ समाज और स्वस्थ राष्ट्र का निर्माण कर सकता है।" योग के माध्यम से व्यक्तिगत स्वास्थ्य के साथ-साथ सामाजिक और शैक्षिक विकास की दिशा में भी महत्वपूर्ण योगदान दिया जा सकता है।

National Awardee Teachers’ Forum (PATF India) Launches Official Website

Joint Director, CIET–NCERT Dr. Amarendra Behera Launches National Platform for Award-Winning Teachers

A landmark moment for the teaching fraternity of India was witnessed with the official launch of the website of the Presidential Awardee Teachers’ Forum (PATF India), a national platform established to connect, empower, and celebrate teachers who have been honored with the National Award to Teachers and National ICT Award by the President of India.

The website was formally launched by Dr. Amarendra Behera, Joint Director, CIET-NCERT, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The virtual ceremony brought together more than 900 award-winning educators from across India, reflecting the collective strength and commitment of the country's most distinguished teachers.

Welcome and Website Launch

The program commenced with a warm welcome by Imran Khan, President of PATF India, who highlighted the vision behind the forum and requested Dr. Behera to officially launch the portal. Following the launch, Khan provided a detailed presentation showcasing the various features of the website, its future roadmap, and the opportunities it will create for educators nationwide.

Official Website:
PATF India Official Website

About PATF India

According to the newly launched portal, the Presidential Awardee Teachers’ Forum (PATF) is a nationally registered society formed by educators who have been conferred the prestigious National Award to Teachers or the National ICT Award by the President of India.

The forum aims to:

• Promote excellence in education and pedagogy.
• Encourage collaboration among award-winning educators.
• Support professional development and educational research.
• Share innovative practices and successful classroom experiences.
• Strengthen teacher leadership at national and international levels.
• Create opportunities for mentoring and capacity building.
• Contribute to educational transformation aligned with national priorities.

Core Values of PATF

The website outlines four guiding values:

Integrity – Ethical conduct in all educational engagements.
Excellence – Commitment to high-quality teaching and learning.
Empowerment – Supporting teachers and learners across all states and regions.
Equity – Promoting inclusive educational opportunities for every learner.

Dr. Amarendra Behera’s Inspiring Address

In his keynote address, Dr. Amarendra Behera congratulated the forum for creating a dedicated digital platform for India's award-winning teachers. He emphasized the transformative vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and encouraged educators to actively contribute to its implementation.

Dr. Behera highlighted the importance of:

• Collaboration among states and institutions.
• Promotion of multilingual education and Indian languages.
• Technology-enabled learning ecosystems.
• Inclusive and equitable education.
• Global engagement and professional networking for teachers.

He reiterated the five foundational pillars of NEP 2020:

1. Access
2. Equity
3. Quality
4. Affordability
5. Accountability

He urged teachers to enrich every domain of education through innovation, research, digital content creation, and collaborative learning. He also appealed to educators to explore international opportunities, partnerships, and professional networks to position Indian education on the global stage.

Session Moderation and Participation

The event was effectively moderated and anchored by National Awardee Shakti Patel, who ensured smooth conduct of the program and facilitated interaction among participants.

The session witnessed the active participation of several distinguished National Awardee Teachers, including:

• Dr. Rajeev
• Omprakash Patidar
• Naveen Gupta
• Manoj singh
• R  P Badoni
• Along with more than 35 members of the National Executive Team and PATF leadership, besides hundreds of award-winning teachers connected online from different states and union territories.

A New Digital Era for Award-Winning Teachers

The launch of the PATF India website marks a significant step toward building a strong professional network of India's finest educators. The platform is expected to serve as a hub for collaboration, sharing best practices, mentoring young teachers, conducting research initiatives, and supporting educational reforms envisioned under NEP 2020.

As India moves towards a future-ready education system, PATF India is poised to become a powerful voice for teacher leadership, innovation, and educational excellence, bringing together the nation's most accomplished educators under one digital umbrella.

"Celebrating India's Finest Educators and Changemakers" is not merely the forum's tagline—it is a collective mission to inspire, innovate, and transform education across the nation.