Imphal, August 10, 2026: Manipur University on Monday inaugurated a two-week Refresher Course on “Advances in Physical Education, Sports Sciences, and Yoga”, with Vice-Chancellor (In-Charge) Prof. R.K. Hemakumar Singh emphasising the need to strengthen scientific knowledge, research capabilities and continuous professional development in the rapidly evolving fields of physical education, sports science and yoga.
The programme is being organised by the UGC–Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (UGC-MMTTC), Manipur University, and will continue from August 10 to 22. The course has attracted 113 participants from 18 states across India, giving the programme a broad national representation.
Addressing the inaugural function as Chief Guest, Prof. R.K. Hemakumar Singh said Physical Education, Sports Science and Yoga have undergone significant transformation and today constitute multidisciplinary, scientific and evidence-based areas of study and professional practice.
He said contemporary developments in these fields are increasingly connected with exercise physiology, biomechanics, sports psychology, nutrition, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, data analytics and emerging technologies. In this changing academic and professional environment, continuous learning and professional development have become essential for teachers, researchers, coaches and practitioners.
Prof. R.K. Hemakumar said refresher courses such as the present programme provide an important academic platform for participants to update their knowledge, exchange experiences, strengthen research skills and understand new developments taking place across Physical Education, Sports Science and Yoga.
He encouraged the participants to make full use of the two-week academic engagement by actively interacting with resource persons, sharing their experiences, discussing research challenges and establishing meaningful academic and professional collaborations.
Highlighting the purpose of teacher-training and faculty-development programmes, the Vice-Chancellor said their impact should go beyond formal participation and certification.
“The true success of a Refresher Course is not measured merely by the certificate received, but by how effectively the knowledge, skills, and ideas gained are translated into teaching, research, training, and professional practice,” Prof. Hemakumar said.
He further underlined the wider social relevance of Physical Education, Sports Science and Yoga, stating that the disciplines have an important role in promoting health, physical fitness, sporting excellence, mental well-being and holistic development.
Prof. R.K. Hemakumar called upon educators and professionals to work collectively towards promoting scientific knowledge, healthy lifestyles, research excellence and human well-being. He also appreciated the UGC-MMTTC, the organising committee and resource persons for their efforts in bringing together participants and experts for the programme.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence that interactions with experienced resource persons would enrich the academic experience of the participants and wished them a fruitful, professionally rewarding and intellectually stimulating programme.
Prof. Laishram Santosh Singh, Course Coordinator from the Department of Physical Education & Sports Sciences, Manipur University, highlighted the national character of the programme, informing the gathering that 113 participants representing 18 states of the country have enrolled in the refresher course.
Prof. L Santosh said the participation of teachers and professionals from such a wide geographical spread provides an opportunity for exchange of knowledge, experiences and perspectives among participants from different academic environments.
Welcoming the resource persons and participants, he thanked the UGC-MMTTC, Manipur University, for providing the academic platform and institutional support for organising the programme. He said resource persons from different institutions across the country would engage with participants during the two-week course on contemporary issues and developments in Physical Education, Sports Sciences and Yoga.
Presiding over the inaugural programme, Prof. Rajkumar Bhubon Singh, Director, UGC-MMTTC, Manipur University, highlighted the importance of refresher courses in exposing teachers to emerging ideas and approaches in higher education. He encouraged participants to learn from the experiences of the resource persons and actively engage in academic interactions throughout the programme.
Prof. R.K. Bhubon also highlighted the relevance of the course to the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly its emphasis on quality teaching, equity, technology-enabled and online education, promotion of Indian languages and multidisciplinary education.
The opening day also witnessed four technical sessions by resource persons from different institutions.
Dr. Ankita Jain from Hyderabad delivered a session on “Sports Mental Training for Athletes,” focusing on the importance of the psychological dimension of sporting performance.
Prof. Bhuwan Chandra Kapri of Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh, spoke on “Research Methodology: Foundation and Framework,” addressing the fundamentals and methodological foundations required for academic and scientific research.
Prof. Nishan Singh Deol of Punjabi University, Punjab, delivered a session on “AI Transforming Sports,” highlighting the emerging role of artificial intelligence and technological innovation in the field of sports.
The fourth technical session was delivered by T. Inaobi Singh of Manipur University on “Physical Education in the Era of NEP 2020: Opportunities, Innovation and Future Directions,” examining the changing landscape of physical education under the National Education Policy and the opportunities ahead for the discipline.
The inaugural programme began at 10 a.m. with the assembly and felicitation of dignitaries. Dr. Y. Santikumar Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Manipur University, delivered the welcome address, while Dr. N. Nilkamal Singh, Head, Department of Yoga, Manipur University, proposed the vote of thanks.
Technical support for the virtual sessions was managed by Irengbam Tilokchan, Programmer, Manipur University.
The two-week refresher course will continue until August 22, with sessions designed to expose participants to contemporary research, emerging technologies, innovative teaching approaches and multidisciplinary developments in Physical Education, Sports Sciences and Yoga.