UGC releases draft handbook for HEIs on digital hygiene

UGC in its draft handbook on Digital Hygiene made recommendations like Secure internet browsing, closing webcam and computer audio when not in use, not downloading content while using public wifi and using a password manager.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has drafted a handbook for Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to help students and teachers to stay safe in cyberspace. UGC in its draft handbook on Digital Hygiene made recommendations like Secure internet browsing, closing webcam and computer audio when not in use, not downloading content while using public wifi and using a password manager.

The handbook which also details "Redefined behaviour protocols for students and objectives of teachers in virtual classes" comes against the backdrop of the shift to online learning that has been adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In the emerging era of digitalization, education requires tech-assisted teaching, learning solutions, and fast-paced innovations. Students and teachers now have access to smart mobile devices as well as a variety of remote e-learning and evaluation options. Virtual classrooms have brought a distinct perspective on the teaching-learning process as we move to teach online," the UGC draft stated.

"There are numerous crucial characteristics of remote teaching that might be detrimental to the entire school community. Teachers, on the other hand, should be concerned about attacks that occur during virtual classroom lectures while the discussion is in progress," it read.

The commission noted that it is abundantly clear that we live in the Big Data world where "Right to be Forgotten" or "Right to be Erased" is not that easy as the identity of an individual is disclosed not only privately but on public platforms too.

"The metadata plays an important role due to which digital footprints are always left behind in one form or another to find the digital trail towards an individual. Your likes on social media posts, the content that you watch, web cookies on the websites you visit, etc., can make up your digital footprints," it said.

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