AKTU to conduct practical classes through virtual labs

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University is planning to start practical classes through the virtual lab, during the lockdown period.

To avoid any academic loss during the lockdown period, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) has announced that it is planning to launch the virtual lab along with online classes. 

With the closure of all engineering colleges affiliated to the university earlier, the practicals were put on hold, said an official.

Vinay Kumar Pathak, Vice-chancellor, AKTU, held a webinar with experts from IITs to weigh out the options for conducting virtual lab amid the lockdown.

“We also have to start practicals alongside online classroom teaching. The theory is important. But for engineering students, the application part of what is being taught, is equally important,” said Pathak.

AKTU has sought guidance from professor Ranjan Bose from IIT Delhi, professor Kantesh Blani from IIT Kanpur, Pushpadeep Mishra from IIT Mumbai, and professor Venkatesh from IIT Hyderabad during the webinar.

The project of a virtual lab is the project of the Ministry of Human Resource Development said, Professor Bose.

In virtual labs, practical teaching can easily be conducted because the required software is free for all students, he said.

Pushpdeep Mishra and professor Venkatesh informed on how to carry out practicals on the virtual lab.

"In the current scenario, where students are staying at home due to lockdown, it is indeed a good option to start practical work through a virtual lab," Professor Pathak said.

He said the university will form a committee to explore the possibility and from the next semester, it will become an essential part of the AKTU teaching-learning module.

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