IIITH-OKI/Advance Train The Trainer 2025/Expression of Interest/Submitted/Nanjil Bala
Basic Information
[edit]Wikimedia Username
[edit]Wikimedia Project(s) you primarily contribute to
[edit]- Tamil Wikipedia, Wikidata, Commons Wiki
Active in Wikimedia since (Year)
[edit]- December 2008
Your Affiliate or Community Group (if any):
[edit]- Active member of Tamil Wikimedia Group since Decenber 2008.
Languages you work with (on-wiki or off-wiki):
[edit]- Tamil
Have you participated in any Train the Trainer or similar Wikimedia training before? If yes, please mention the name of the event along with the year in which you participated
[edit]- TTT 2020 held in Mumbai
- Wiki Conference 2016
- Tamil Wikimania Madurai 2022
Are you currently involved in any leadership, facilitation, or mentoring roles within the Wikimedia movement? If yes, briefly describe the imitative and your involvement in it
[edit]- Yes, conducting workshops for new Tamil Wikipedians to facilitate content improvement of articles in Tamil Wikipedia and Commons Wiki.
Track Preference
[edit]Your preferred track during the workshop
[edit]- Track 1: Evaluation, Impact, and Data Storytelling
- Track 2: Project Design Challenge – From Learning to Action
- Track 2: Project Design Challenge – From Learning to Action
Which track are you most interested in and why?
[edit]- Track 2: Micro-Project Design Challenge – From Learning to Action
I am particularly interested in the Micro-Project Design Challenge – From Learning to Action track. As a Wikimedian who uploads videos to Wikimedia Commons and integrates them into Wikipedia, this track aligns perfectly with my work. It emphasises turning knowledge into practical, small-scale projects that yield visible outcomes. Strengthening my ability to design and manage these micro-projects will ensure that participants not only learn the documentation process but also apply it in meaningful ways.
Tell us about one Wikimedia program, campaign, or initiative you’ve contributed to in a leadership role
[edit]- As a trainer for Tamil Wikipedia, I conduct workshops to teach participants how to create articles in Tamil and upload multimedia content to Wikimedia Commons. I have organised workshops throughout Tamil Nadu to train new Wikimedians. During this workshop, I gained knowledge in leadership and improved my communication skills.
What skills or knowledge do you hope to gain from this training?
[edit]- Through this training, I aim to develop skills in program evaluation, impact measurement, and micro-project design. Strengthening these areas will enable me to assess the effectiveness of initiatives, such as using data storytelling to communicate results, and to design small, sustainable projects that foster long-term community engagement. These skills will enhance my ability to take on greater responsibilities within the Wikimedia movement, thereby supporting cultural preservation and promoting open knowledge more effectively.
Based on your selected track, what is one challenge you have encountered in either evaluating Wikimedia programs or designing impactful projects? Please share your experience relevant to your chosen track.
[edit]- One challenge I have faced involves designing micro-projects that balance simplicity for participants with the need for a meaningful impact on the wider Wikimedia community. It became apparent that some participants appreciated additional guidance to effectively translate their training into actionable steps, such as uploading videos or integrating content into Wikimedia projects. This experience reinforced the value of breaking down larger objectives into smaller, more manageable steps while ensuring that the outcomes remain both meaningful and sustainable.
How do you plan to apply what you learn after the event?
[edit]- I plan to apply the skills I gained from this event to strengthen the Tamil Wikimedia training programs by improving impact measurement, designing sustainable micro-projects, and enhancing participant mentorship. Additionally, I aim to use these insights to strengthen communities by encouraging collaboration among different Wikimedia user groups, supporting new contributors, and building partnerships with cultural organizations and archives to expand the documentation.
(Optional) Are you open to mentorship (either receiving or offering it)?
[edit]- Yes, I am open to both