Covid-19 pandemic will play a catalytic role in shifting the world towards a digital future, says Ansal University VC

With the outbreak of Coronavirus, many institutes and universities have taken up the task to take their curriculum online and then there are a few who are taking additional steps to make online learning a long-term deliverable. This includes Ansal University that is not looking at shortcomings of the pandemic but is targeting a well-designed online education plan. In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Vice-Chancellor of Ansal University Dr DNS Kumar talks in detail about the journey of transition from chalk-and-talk method to virtual classrooms.

Here is the edited excerpt of the conversation:

Q: How has today’s scenario of lockdown and global pandemic impacted your education system?

A: Along with many economic sectors, the higher education sector is undergoing a tectonic shift right now. Shuttered buildings, empty auditoriums, suspended classroom teaching at all institutions is a ground reality of today. It has drastically reshaped the higher education affecting the students in more than 191 countries. The pandemic has shaken us all as the institutions shut all across the globe to combat the virus.
Millions of students are in their final year of degree programmes, and breaks applied by institutions in their academic delivery can jeopardise their careers. This academic disruption has lead to a complete paradigm shift in the education sector. Higher education stands disaggregated, and faculty and students are grappling with the sudden new norm of completely tech-mediated teaching and learning. It has developed a new concept of disrupted education.

Q: What are some of the interesting initiatives your institute has taken to make it easy for your students and also contribute to eradication of this pandemic?

A: Once the indefinite closure of educational institutions was announced across the country, Ansal University realised that technology will become the biggest intermediary of teaching-learning processes during this uncertain time. Ansal University, being a student-centric university, made an immediate audit of its IT infrastructure and has accordingly developed the required virtual study rooms including digital platforms to tackle the challenge in a creative yet pragmatic way.
Additionally, multiple training sessions are also being conducted by the IT team to develop the necessary IT skills required among the intellectual pool of university for the smooth transition from classroom teaching to an online scenario. Along with proactively finding solutions, the university is going all out as it incorporates various technological tools for the transformation including  TCSiON platform for digital learning and CRM, Google Meet for conducting online classes and meeting, Go to Webinar for webinars and e-conferences involving industrial executives, professionals and international speakers. Online teaching encouraged by AU is conducted through audio-video recording and uploading the modules, e-mailers and other material for students with poor network coverage complemented with a timely midterm assessment which is resulting in monitoring their progress and uploading marks on IT platform TCSiON.

Ansal University’s Library is also kept all geared up to provide all e-learning support to the students, faculty and deans by arranging a school-wise e-learning material through online database including EBSCO, Manupatra, SCC online through remote access coupled with online learning resources by HRD Ministry. The access to National Digital Library of India, Directory of open access journals, Directory of open access Books, Shodhganga: a reservoir of Indian theses is also being facilitated along with the availability of  daily soft copies of Newspapers ET, FE, BS, BL and Magazines. Online (work from home) summer internships for students from different schools of the University are being arranged by the Corporate Resource Centre of Ansal University.

Initiatives towards eradiation of COVID 19:

Some of the measures taken by the university are as follows:

• Evacuation of the campus by students, staff and faculty members
• Following the various advisories issued by UGC/MHRD and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare related to prevention from Corona Virus including social distancing and    immunity-boosting methods.
• Downloading Aarogya Setu App
• Constitution of a “COVID Help Committee” including Registrar, Deans and Senior Professors of University was constituted for Mental Health, Psychosocial Concerns and Well Being of the Students/Parents in case of any stress/anxiety due to COVID 19 pandemic.

Q: How is the institute planning to conduct exams, evaluate and declare results online?

A: At present, the examination department of Ansal University is equipped with advanced technology and robust IT infrastructure and is gearing towards conducting the end semester examination. Examinations could be conducted through various advanced technology-based online examinations platforms that leverage Artificial Intelligence to automate proctoring of students during exams and eliminates the need to have onsite human proctors/invigilators. The components of examination could be MCQs, online presentations, assignments, viva-voice and concept/application-oriented questions – given weightage according to the concerned course. The practical component could be compensated by utilising the virtual lab platforms available.

Q: How are students responding to new initiatives?

A: To know the well-being of our students and to know their concerns related to online teaching, Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and deans interacted with student’s council members online. Students appreciated the initiatives of University for continuing the academic rigor even during the COVID Pandemic. They were happy with the online content and delivery of lectures by faculty members followed by interactive sessions and presentations. Apart from minor issues related to internet connectivity, students responded very well in terms of their attendance and participation.

Q: What impact will it have on students’ interpersonal, team management skills?

A: Our centre for soft skills is continuously conducting online mentoring and training sessions for our students to sharpen the interpersonal, team management skills. Our team of resource management along with the faculty members has been continuously emphasising on the fact that studying online from home does not need one to be isolated from their team, teachers, friends or colleagues. In this uncertain and evolving world, it’s our relationships that provide us with the strength to get through the tough times while maintaining our sanity and peace of mind. We continuously motivate our students to ensure that they take out some time to have those coffee conversations, take that e-lunch break or random chit-chats or interactions to clear their heads. Communication is the key to drive away most of our troubles and further provides emotional support helping us with our mental health even during these uncertain times.

Q: What are the best practices that the college is adopting to ensure seamless online learning?

A: Some of the practices include:

• The shift to remote learning has been enabled by several online tech stacks such as Google Classroom, Blackboard, Zoom and Microsoft Teams, all of which play an important role in this transformation - ‘flipped virtual classrooms’
• Online video-based synchronous learning, effectively conducting ‘live sessions’ with their students online. These are recorded and made available to students who weren’t able to join the session
• E-notes are making learning more accessible, engaging, and contextualised. E-assessment, e-tutoring, e-submission features that let students learn outside the classroom
• Virtual labs and Studios
• Registration with programmes offered by  Coursera and other digital learning platforms
• Online (work from home) summer internships for students
• Best training and IT support for students and faculty
• Interactive Webinars by industry experts
• Online seminars and conferences
• Availability of e-books, e-learning resources, simulations & models, graphics & animations

Q: How will today’s situation revolutionise online learning in India and abroad?

A: We can observe that fresh content developed during this time is especially helping students and could go a long way in post-COVID times as well. It will help us in bridging the gap in education and modernising our approach as we make it globally competitive. The organic shift to blended learning, stored online lecture/videos would enable classroom teaching etc. will surge in the coming times and will make the sector more efficient and application-oriented along with connecting learners with appropriate resources.
The education will see a transformation that will enable it to shift from chalk-and-talk pedagogy. E-learning is part of Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the Covid-19 pandemic will surely play a catalytic role in shifting the world towards the digital future. It will definitely change the face of educational institutions and will make a paradigm shift to virtual learning and digital education sooner, helping more people get ahead by making knowledge more accessible to everyone.