Dr. Nandu Giri, Professor

Philosophy of teaching and learning:

I believe all students are unique and my role as a teacher educator is to assist each student in developing their own potential and learning styles. I firmly believe that students learn the best when they are in a positive learning environment where they feel welcomed, comfortable and safe with each other. Also, from my long teaching experience I have realized that students learn best when they are engaged in active learning and teacher’s role is to facilitate student learning. Students should be given the opportunity to explore a problem, try out solutions and build on new knowledge.  As a teacher educator I aspire to provide my students with an education that will help to transform them into a better person.

My specialization is in water quality analysis. As a part of the Ph.D programme I have analysed the quality of water in Pasakha industrial area, Thimphu urban area and Samtse agricultural field.  My current study is focused on treatment of grey water using low cost technology.

Academic/Educational Qualification:

  • D (Environmental Science) North-Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya, India (2011)
  • PGCE (Education) Institute of Education, University of London, UK (1990).
  • Sc. (Inorganic Chemistry) Institute of Science, Bombay University, India (1988)
  • Sc. Government College, Punjab University (1985)

Professional experience: Most recent first ….

  • Programme Leader of MEd Science and Mathematics (2012 – till date)
  • Dissertation Supervisor of MEd students [2018 – till date]
  • Developed MEd Programme in Science and Mathematics [2012-2017]
  • External Examiner of B.Sc. Chemistry Programme at Sherubtse College [2013 – 2015]
  • Led the HUC Seed grant project on improving water sustainability strategies in the Himalayan cities.
  • led the Danish-RUB research project on Quality of Education in the prospective for Gross National Happiness (GNH) and Assessment Practices in Bhutan during 2012-2015
  • Dean of Student Affairs, Samtse College of Education [2007 – 2015]
  • Assistant Principal, National Institute of Education, Samtse [2001 – 2006]
  • Developed modules for Diploma in School Science Laboratory Management programme. [2009 – 2011]
  • Coordinator of Field Teaching Practice [1993 – 2010]
  • Developed field teaching practice guidelines [1999]
  • Written School Science Text books [1999 – 2012]
  • conducted several professional development workshops for teachers & Laboratory Assistants. [1991 – 2012]
  • Developed modules for PgDE Chemistry Education [1988]
  • Revised PgDE and BEd programmes of SCE [2007 – 2012]
  • Club Coordinator [1991- 1996]

Current responsibilities:

I am a teacher educator at  Samtse College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan. My teaching subjects include chemistry, chemistry education, contemporary issues in chemistry, Advanced studies, teaching skills, teaching strategies, educational research and science laboratory management at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I am supervising undergraduate and masters research students.

I am the Programme leader of M Ed Science and Mathematics which was launched in July 2017. I  played a key role in the design of M Ed programme structure and module descriptors relevant to the teachers currently teaching in schools.

As a member of Royal Education Council (REC) I am working closely with REC in revising the school science curriculum. I have conducted several professional development workshops for teachers and Laboratory Assistants.

Membership in External Bodies:

  • Member of Science Subject Committee, Royal Education Council
  • External Examiner to Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan (2015 – 2017)
  • Member of technical committee for drawing clarity on promotion of RUB faculty (2018).

Publications:

Books

Giri,N. et.al(2016). Quality of School Education in Bhutan: Case studies in the perspective of Gross National Happiness and Assessment and Assessment Practices. Aalborg University Press, Aalborg.

Giri, N., & Tenzin, W. (2007). Teaching Primary Science, Classes IV-VI. Thimphu: Curriculum and Professional Support Division, Ministry of Education.

Giri, N.(2003). Science Laboratory Management: A Guidebook for Schools. Curriculum and Professional Support Division, Paro.

Journal articles

Giri, N. & Singh, O.P. (2013). Urban Growth and Water Quality in Thimphu, Bhutan. Journal of Urban and Environmental Engineering (JUEE) 7(n1), 82-95.

Giri, N. and Singh, O.P. (2012). Bio monitoring of Water quality using benthic micro-invertebrates of river SingyeChhu in Bhutan. Journal of Basic & Applied Biology 6(3-4), 44-49.

Giri, N. & Singh, O.P. (2011). Study of water quality in relation to land use changes in Bhutan. Rig-TerAcademic Journal of College of Education,Samtse, Royal University of Bhutan 5:40-47.

Giri, N., Singh, O.P., & Chopel, G. K. (2010). Physico-chemical characteristics of surface water in and around the agriculture field of Samtse district. Journal of Renewable Natural Resources 4:128-145.

Book Chapters

Giri, N., Mohan, G.R., Hingmang, K., Biswa, T,R., Gyeltshen, K., Zangmo, S., Pradhan, B. M.,  … Tenzin, W., (2007). Class VI Science. Thimphu: Curriculum and Professional Support Division, Ministry of Education.

Giri, N., Mohan, G.R., Hingmang, K., Biswa, T,R., Gyeltshen, K., Zangmo, S., Pradhan, B. M.,  … Tenzin, W., (2007). Class V Science. Thimphu: Curriculum and Professional Support Division, Ministry of Education.

Giri, N., Mohan, G.R., Hingmang, K., Biswa, T,R., Gyeltshen, K., Zangmo, S., Pradhan, B. M.,  … Tenzin, W., (2007). Primary Science Class V An activity guide for teachers. Thimphu: Curriculum and Professional Support Division, Ministry of Education. Royal Government of Bhutan.

Giri, N., & Tshering, K.D., (2001). Science for Class VII. Thimphu: Curriculum and Professional Support Division, Ministry of Education.

Giri, N., Jurmi, C., Nepal, L., Sherpa, A., Tamang, M., Dorji, R. N., Tshering, K. D. … Subba, C., (2000). Science for Class VIII Teachers’ Manual & Syllabus. Thimphu: Curriculum and Professional Support Division, Ministry of Education.

Giri, N., Jurmi, C., Nepal, L., Sherpa, A., Tamang, M., Dorji, R. N., Tshering, K. D. … Subba, C., (2000). Science for Class VIII. Thimphu, Curriculum and Professional Support Division, Ministry of Education.

Conference Proceedings

Giri, N. (2018). Teaching Profession with the Changing Times. Talk delivered at the Plenary Session of ‘International conference on New Horizons in Teacher Education’ organized by the West Bengal University of Teacher’s training, Education Planningand Administration, West Bengal, India (14-16 January 2018).

Giri, N. (2018) The Purpose of Education with changing Times. Talk delivered at the Plenary Session of ‘International conference on ‘Education and Global Peace’ organized by A. M. Teachers’ Training Institute, Mushidabad, West Bengal (25-26 February 2018)

Giri, N. (2017). Quantitative analysis of iodine content in table salt: Comparison of iodine content in various brands of table salt available in Samtse town. Paper presented at the 7th International Science Congress (8-9 December 2017).

Giri, N.(2015). Cost benefit analysis of human elephant conflicts. Paper presented to SANDEE conference hosted by ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal from February 7-12.

Giri, N., (2015). Human Elephant conflicts in Samtse. Paper presented to 2nd faculty student research convention, Samtse College of Education, February 6.

Giri, N. & Gurung, K. (2015). Effective learning through intrinsic motivation: A case study of class IX higher secondary school girls. Paper presented to 3nd Faculty-Student Research Convention, Samtse College of Education held on November 13-14.

Giri, N., (2015). Study of water quality in relation to land use changes in Bhutan. Paper presented during the first Ph.D National Conference – promoting a knowledge based society, iGNHAS, Royal University of Bhutan, July 2.

Giri, N. & Willert, S. (2014).Schooling and School History in Bhutan as Part of Nation Building Exercise. Paper presented to 3rd International Creative University network (ICUN) ‘Creative Economy, Creative University, and Creative Development Conference, NITM, Thimphu,  April 14-16.

Giri, N. (2013). Assessment of Human Elephant Conflicts in Samtse. Paper presented to seminar organized by South Asian Network and development for Environmental Economics, (SANDEE) College of Natural Resources, Lobesa, September 6-9.

Giri, N.(2012). Educating for GNH. Paper presented to seminar organized by the Danish-Bhutanese research partnership programme, Aalborg University, Denmark, June 22-28.

Giri, N., (2011). Monitoring Water Quality using Physico-chemical Parameters and benthic Macro-invertebrates.  Paper presented to 1st faculty research meet, Royal University of Bhutan, Executive centre, Royal Thimphu College, November 18-19.

Giri, N., (2009). Impact of water quality on ecosystem services and poverty alleviation. Paper presented to seminar on studying the linkages between ecosystem services and poverty: building network in South Asia, Shillong, India, September 8-9.

Giri, N., (2001). Infusion of Environmental issues in Science Curriculum. Paper presented to seminar organized by Punjab State Council for Science & Technology, Chandigarh, India, March 5-10.

Reference Books

Giri, N., (1999). Handbook for Teaching Practice. Samste: National Institute of Education, Samtse.

Giri, N., (2003). Science Laboratory Management- A guide for schools (classes Pp-X). Thimphu, Curriculum and Professional Support Division, Ministry of Education.

Giri, N., (2001). Teaching Skills – Self Instructional Materials. National Institute of Education, Samtse.

Giri, N., Rinchen, S., & Choden, K., (2003). Chemistry Syllabus Handbook. SCE, RUB, Samtse.

Gyamtsho, D., Giri, N., Mohan, G. R., Raika, N.B., Gajmere, N.B., Jamtsho, S., Gyeltshen Y.  … Wangchuk, K. (2008). PgDE Syllabus Handbook. SCE, RUB, Samtse.

Giri, N., Gazmer, N.B., Mohan, G.R., Chttri, G., Namgyel, S., Tshering, K., Chhetri, L.N. … Lhamo, N., (2010). Handbook for Teaching Skills and Teaching Practice. College of Education  Samtse and Paro, Royal University of Bhutan.

Giri, N., Rinchen, S., Choden, K., Rai, R., & Namgyel, R., (2010). Chemistry Syllabus Handbook. SCE, RUB, Samtse.

Gyamtsho, D., Giri, N., Mohan, G. R., Raika, N.B., Gajmere, N.B., Jamtsho, S., Jose, K.C.  … Wangchuk, K. (2010). B.Ed Secondary Personal and Professional Syllabus Handbook. SCE, RUB, Samtse.

Current research engagement:

  • Factors affecting the academic performance of Mathematics students (AURG)
  • Treatment of grey water using low cost technology
  • Impact of Place Based Education in schools & colleges (proposal development)

 Awards:

Recipient of gold medal from His majesty the king in 2013 for dedicated

service in teaching profession.

Research interest:

  • Water quality analysis
  • Global environmental issues
  • Learning and teaching science using Place Based Education (PBE) approach
  • Educating for Gross National Happiness

Email address:

nandugiri.sce@rub.edu.bt