‘There is a need to strengthen digital infra’
Asoka Kumar Das, vice-chairman of Odisha State Higher Education Council, tells Hemanta Pradhan about the education scenario in the time of Covid-19 and how technology can help students.
With Covid cases on the rise, tell us about the road ahead…
Given the current scenario, we can say the congregation of students – in campus, hostel and classroom – is not possible unless we see Covid cases declining. The World Health Organization (WHO) thinks we may reach the peak in July and the cases may then start to come down. But we don’t know what will happen next. We should start education in distance mode till the situation gets better. The distance mode of education can be strengthened through various means of technology so that students can benefit.
We should carry out teaching-learning process via online mode with whatever possible infrastructure we have. Universities and colleges can prepare and gather study/reference materials and deliver them to students.
Do you feel universities and colleges in the state are prepared to conduct sessions through online mode, like IIT Bombay?
Whether it is a university or college or any other institution, everybody should strengthen their digital infrastructure to start online education. Our digital backbone is not so strong and it is a major challenge for us. We have some colleges which do not have a well operated website where teachers can upload study material for students. We should realize that the need for digital infrastructure will remain paramount even after the pandemic. A few educational institutions have created a platform by themselves to conduct examinations and online classes. But we are taking steps to solve the teaching and learning issues.
Universities can collaborate with other educational institutions for developing innovative online teaching and learning methods. Besides, we have to set up counselling cells in the institutions to help students and teachers. The state government needs to work on these aspects positively.
What changes do you think is needed to the syllabus keeping the Covid-19 situation in mind?
Some sectors like tourism, entertainment, travel and retail are facing difficult times due to Covid-19, so these industries may not hire people. But some areas have witnessed demand because of the pandemic. Public health sector, clinical psychology and psychiatry, biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analysis, internet of things (IoT) and robotics will grab more attention than ever. These new skills will create jobs. As an educationist, I can say the universities can start investing in these sectors. We can add these courses as elective subjects in undergraduate or postgraduate.
We can also provide education regarding entrepreneurship and starting businesses. Every college and school should open a tinkering lab for students to come up with new ideas and work on it. Universities can open incubation centres. Even a person without a college degree should be allowed to the centre to work on his idea. The team can teach or guide the person about entrepreneurship, legal issues, angel funding and other associated things. This hand-holding will create wonders in the long run.
When do you think the new academic session will start?
New academic session for PG classes may begin from November 1. We are planning to conduct the admission between September third week and October third week. Similarly, new academic session for UG first year may begin by October 1.
The common PG entrance test is scheduled to be held in August last week or September first week. Neither Centre not the state has banned examinations per se. All precautions will be taken for the examinations. If it does not happen, we will think about alternatives.
Your take on starting online education for UG and PG intermediate semester students from July 13?
Our universities and degree colleges have promoted second and fourth semester students of UG classes. Similarly, second semester students of PG classes have been promoted. There is no point in delaying their classes. So, our universities and colleges will start online classes for these students from July 13. Whatever infrastructure we have, we can try to reach out to the students. The government will always try to reach out to every student.
EoM