Posted On: 01 September, 2026
A three day workshop on “Participatory Models of Higher Education”
A three-day workshop on “Participatory Models of Higher Education” was organised at the Salesian Provincial House, Citadel, Chennai from 1st September to 03rd September 2026 with the objective of introducing and equipping participants with effective participatory approaches to leadership, dialogue, decision-making and collaborative action in higher education
The workshop commenced with the Inaugural Address delivered by Rev. Dr. L. Don Bosco, SDB, Provincial of Chennai Province wherein he highlighted the importance of leadership that listens, involves and empowers people. The dynamics of the Programme was rendered by Rev. Dr. Maria Antony Raj SDB, Secretary, DBHEI-SA, as he introduced the participants to the objectives, methodology and participatory nature of the workshop that could be used in the field of higher education and acknowledged the support rendered by the youth ministry department to have such a workshop.
The first day focused on the participatory method known as the World Café. The World Café methodology provided participants with an opportunity to experience a highly interactive and inclusive method of collective conversation. Participants engaged in small-group discussions around significant themes and questions, sharing their experiences, insights and perspectives relevant to higher education
The second day commenced with a Special Address by Rev. Dr. John Alexander SDB. The address provided further reflection on leadership and the need for participatory approaches in responding to contemporary institutional and social challenges. The next major session introduced the participants to the Concept of Open Space. Unlike a rigidly predetermined agenda, the method creates space for participants to bring forward concerns, questions and topics that require attention. The third and final day focused on the Concept of Consensus Workshop. The consensus approach introduced participants to a structured process through which diverse ideas and viewpoints can gradually be brought together to identify common priorities and arrive at collective decisions.
The programme also introduced the participants to the ORID Method, another important participatory framework for structured reflection and discussion in higher education. The ORID methodology demonstrated the importance of not rushing into decisions without first carefully observing, reflecting and interpreting the situation. The sessions were handled by Mr. Shirish Sebastian, Rev. Dr. Maria Antony Raj SDB and resource person from overseas.
The programme was well attended by 58 participants from 12 Salesian higher education institutions from the province of Chennai and Trichy. The overall programme was coordinated by Rev. Dr. Praveen Peter SDB, Commission Head for Higher Education. The programme was facilitated by Rev. Fr. Stanley Ignatius SDB, Province Delegate for Higher Education, whose facilitation helped maintain the participatory spirit of the workshop and encouraged the active involvement of all the participants.
The three-day workshop on participatory methods such as World Café, Open Space, Consensus Workshop and ORID instilled the confidence among the participants that they can be effectively applied in higher education for strategic planning, curriculum development, faculty development, student engagement, problem-solving and institutional decision-making.
