The Higher Education Review

Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty, CEO, ACT

Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty, CEO of ACT is an entrepreneur and strategy consultant in Asia since 2003 who harbors a strong passion for learning which delivers real results. He is also an ardent facilitator and an avid traveler who has been to more than 35 countries conducting workshops and creating engaging learning experiences. He has been awarded Indo-Thai Chamber of Commerce (Thailand) – Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 and also at 26th Indian Achievers Summit New Delhi (India) - The Challenges of Economic Growth & Social Development Year 2010.

The shortage of teachers, or to be precise, scarcity of capable educators, has adversely affected academics at both government and privately run schools in the country. To overcome this situation, the teachers need to undergo regular training and stay abreast with the latest teaching methodologies. Unfortunately, often they back off to pursue teacher-training programmes contemplating on the good amount of time that they are expected to invest in a training centre. Untangling such obstacles and introducing a trend of ‘learn anywhere and at anytime' in teacher education arena is Asian College of Teachers (ACT), which is dedicated to producing future global educators who will not only be equipped with contemporary teaching techniques, but also will be proficient to put them into practice in diverse classrooms across the globe.

A leading institution in Asia and a renowned provider of international standard training to all the future as well as present educators, ACT has received numerous awards and recognition from every corner of the world. Recently, applauding its contribution towards teacher education and training, ACT was glorified with the "Skill Learning Award-2018" at the 8th National Awards on Excellence in Education by Indian Education Congress and was also conferred the prestigious

"Asia Pacific Achievers' Award" for Excellence in Education jointly by Indian Achievers Forum and Global Achievers Award, Thailand held in New Delhi in 2017. Putting emphasis on the concept of continuous learning for adults of all age groups and from varied professional backgrounds, the institute hosts around 100+ training courses categorized under Pre and Primary Teacher Training (PPTT) courses.

From TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) courses to Nursery Teachers Training (NTT) and Montessori Teachers Training (MTT) to School Leadership programs and Certificate in Classroom Material Development, the institute has set a benchmark in rendering the learners with the maximum number of course options. "Comprehending the convenience of the learners, the courses offered by ACT are conducted in all modes viz. online, distance and blended learning. This flexibility and instant access to course materials make career development a more reachable goal for aspiring and working professionals," shares Dr. Sanjib Chakraborty, CEO, ACT.

The recipients of these courses include aspiring and working teachers, individuals associated with early childhood teaching, senior educators, vice-principals, principals, course coordinators, curriculum designers, SEN educators and so on. Today, because of the positive appreciations and demand, the institute has achieved a pan presence with branches in Indian cities of Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Delhi and operations spread across other Indian states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa. Dr. Chakraborty proudly says, "The institute so far boasts of having partnerships with 600 schools and strong 30,000 alumni connections".

Turning Learners into Educators

Apart from India, ACT also has registered offices in UK, Singapore, and Thailand, given which the institute has been able to build a robust relationship with various organizations around the world. "The international certificates from ACT are accredited and endorsed by international bodies of repute like TESOL Canada, Training Qualifications, UK (TQUK and Fort Hays State University, USA," pinpoints Dr. Chakraborty. Further, what makes ACT unique from other teacher training institutes is its

highly talented faculty members who are Master Trainers certified by University of Cambridge International Examinations and UK holding certificate like PG Diploma in Teaching in the Life Long Learning Sector, UK (OCR) from London School of Management Education.

"Our dynamic tutors are focused educators who have already been associated as Tutor (ESOL) with East London Business College, London and the TEFL trainers are certified by, TESOL Canada, Cambridge CELTA and are well aware of the individual needs of the trainees," opines Dr. Chakraborty. The faculty members of ACT make every effort to create a vibrant culture of study and enable evaluation of assignments and assessment of learner progress prompt and perfect throughout by integrating ICT into course design. Dr. Chakraborty adds, "We constantly keep on collaborating with international teaching experts who lend their expertise in helping to design and deliver specialized courses".

Additionally, the Academic Board of the institute, which comprises of accomplished teaching professionals from diverse backgrounds and an Associate Academic Directors based abroad, assists largely in assuring the course materials provided are relevant and matches with contemporary learning. The learners who decide to undergo training programme with ACT through online mode are given a unique user ID and Password, which they can use to unveil the course materials from anywhere. ACT also has a sound student support system responsible for rendering right guidance, information and access to online tutor support to the learners.

Going beyond looking after the educational journey of the students, ACT supports students to be placed, owing to which they have incorporated a job portal and prides of strong connections of school network in Asia and other international schools and institutions across the globe. "With online/distance education evolving as a vital part of modern educational landscape, we believe that a very promising future is waiting for ACT. In next couple of years, we want to emerge as the only teacher training organization in Asia with so much to offer in terms of training programs for teachers, trainers, and professionals from all backgrounds," concludes Dr. Chakraborty.