Online Panel Discussion on Engineering Education in Post COVID 19 Era: Way Forward organised by NPIU

Date of session: 18 June 2020

Organized by: AICTE and NPIU

 

"Online Panel Discussion on Engineering Education in Post COVID 19 Era: Way Forward organized by NPIU"

Panelists for the session:

1. Prof. Anil Dattatraya Sahasrabudhe

2. Prof. (Dr.) Shantanu Choudhary

3. Professor Vinay Kumar Pathak

4. Prof. Vikram M. Gadre

5. Prof. Mini Shaji Thomas

6. Dr. Sunil Kumar Gupta 

7. Prof. Animesh Bishwas 

8. Prof. Amit Prashant 

9. Prof. N.V. Ramana Rao 

10. Dr. C.S. Upadhyaya

Moderator: Prof. (Dr.) P.M. Khodke (CPA - NPIU)

The moderator invited all the panelists and welcomed the audience for the current session.

 

He said that we all have experienced significant destruction due to the COVID Pandemic. Nobody had any clue about how to deal with the situation. It was an emergency situation. We all were forced to look into innovative solutions.

With respect to HEIs conducting their studies, few institutes could cover it fully, few could cover it partially and few were not bothered to cover the syllabus due to the emergency situation.

Generally, the new session begins in July but in the current scenario when all the campuses have been made the quarantine centers, it is a difficult situation but the situation coming forth is that one day all campuses have to be opened whether academic or hostels. Firstly, we all need to be prepared for the academic year beginning from July 2020. This is important because we can’t hold the younger generation away from academic activities.

 

 

Prof. Anil Dattatraya Sahasrabudhe: 

Chairman, AICTE

He talked about the learning portals, Khan Academy that started in 2007, and Coursera which started in 2008. SWAYAM website created 3 years back by the Government of India where AICTE was also involved in its development. He said that it was a sort of early preparation by them, not even knowing that they would need it.

He further gave the example from Fluid Mechanics.

1.      He said that the institute with some preparation à had a smooth rhym à Laminal flow

2.      Institutes at the boundary level à Could manage à Fringe

3.      Institutions which were not prepared à Turbulent flow

He emphasised that the institutions should have a LMS (Learning Management System). He shared with the audience that AICTE had large number of tools. They had AI based individual personalised training. They could move forward in terms of learning.

He further gave the example from Bhagvad Gita that from Gita à we attain knowledge à from that we get wisdom. Eg. Bhakti Yoga

He said that hands -on training and physical training all are important. Dance, Sports etc. are human to human interactions and ways of learning. They all are replaced by online mode. Some experiments and lab works can be done by online simulations but we need laboratories for much work. Many educational institutions are also using the flipped mode of education.

As per his understanding, the Education System must focus on:

1.     Examination Reforms instead of Rote Learning. There should be Synthesis as well as Creativity etc. in learning mechanisms.

2.      AI, Blockchain etc. newer technologies must be inculcated in the education curriculum.

3.      Human values must be taught.

4.      Communication Skills need to be taught to students.

5.      Sensitivity must be developed among the young minds.

He further focused on “Internet Penetration”. He said that like we have made roads, bridges, etc. Similarly, it is requested from the Government to develop infrastructure in villages for online education.

The Moderator said that the SWAYAM website, it was earlier handled by AICTE (S.1.0) and now (S.2.0) is handled by IIT Madras.

 

Prof. (Dr.) Shantanu Choudhary :

Director, IITJ

 

He discussed about his action plan in the coming academic session. Having greeted all the panelists and the audience, he thanked the AICTE for conducting this e- session in this unprecedented situation. In their institute, they completely shifted to online basis and conducted the academic activities  through mediums like Webex or Google Meet. The physical laboratories are not been done. From 22 June 2020, the Institute planned to conduct exams for the ongoing session, completely in the online mode.

For the upcoming semester, the institute had decided to work upon a blended strategy. They said that 1/3^rd of the students (in UG) would remain On- Campus, maintaining full social distancing, then they would go home and next 1/3^rd students would be called upon the Campus to carry out their Laboratory works and when they would be at home, then next 1/3^rd would be called. So, it was a Trimester mechanism that they proposed upon for the upcoming session. That rotational structure would help them as it was a combination of online studies and contact lectures and lectures were made available to students while they were studying from their homes. It was based on the MOOCS pattern.

Challenges they faced: Broadcast problem

1.      They focused on the Gamification and Problem solving techniques in their teaching curriculum.

2.      They were trying to make the laboratories digital.

3.      They proposed to make an interface that had IoT devices as well as Laboratory devices. Potential lab experiences through Digital Mediums.

4.      They focused more in terms of Collaborative Learning.

5.      Key bottleneck was the Internet connectivity. The Internet was widely used.

6.      The Infrastructure was needed to be such that it is problem solving.

7.      Around 30-40% of students, do not even have their own computers.

8.      For some of the students, there are not appropriate social conditions at home. So, they face problems in attending online classes being conducted by the Institutes. Those students who have such inappropriate conditions for studies, they can stay in campus with proper permission.

Moderator said that the IITJ institute proposed a blended way of teaching that could be really beneficial in the upcoming session.  He further said that lab courses are lab-triggered and facilities at the Rural areas and at the IITs are not comparable.

 

Professor Vinay Kumar Pathak :

(Vice-Chancellor, APJAKTU, Lucknow)

He said that at least 1 year of social distancing, we all need to have which we can see as per the current scenario. Universities work on ERP. Around 70K, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are available and provide an LMS system.

Out of 100 people, only 50-60%, could have access online. Out of which 20-30% of students, do not have the bandwidth. The rest of the students were given material as it was needed according to the curriculum. So, the things which created the problem were:

1.      Device

2.      Bandwidth

3.      Data

So, to solve this, one of the solutions given by the Professor was that why don’t we put all the material on one website. They can do a “Tie-up with Reliance” etc. for educational work collaborations. So, that the students get the devices and educational resources at a substantial cost.

In some countries, devices were given at rent for 3-4 years. Applications provide the study material.

In some of the states, the Geographical location of the states is such that, there you have community radio, television, and online means of education. So, a fusion of all of these can give us a better solution.

At places where infrastructure is less, there are just 3-4 seater classrooms, so overnight no physical infrastructure can be developed. Once students come to campus, there needs to be:

1.      An application as a tracker for the students in each campus.

2.      In Men’s hostels and in classrooms, there need to be Cameras.

 

He further said that earlier the VC of RTU (Civil Engineering Professor) gave the idea. Many students have given the ideas. They all proposed the idea to give tools to Research students to take home.

In institutes like IITs and NITs, the teacher knows the student but in their university, in the current scenario with the current infrastructure, conducting the exams in the online mode was not possible. They are not used to Open Book exams. They are not prepared for this.

He added on to this that currently, the students are more ready than teachers. In this New Normal, 1:15 or 1:20 Teachers and Students Ratio is there. There is a need for teachers who are better equipped and who better know how to use the technology and they can make the course and subject matter videos. They have produced around 100 hours of material.

So, to summarize the speaker emphasized on the need for:

1.      LMS

2.      We need material

3.      We need course videos

4.      Laboratories

 

The speaker said that the whole country needs to change its pedagogy.

 

Prof. Vikram M. Gadre :

(IIT Bombay)

 

He focused on the strategy of “Quality Education along with Flipped Mode”    

Flipped Class Model:

1.      Good opportunity for all the institutes to build their own online resources. Reduce the contact period.

2.      Collaborative Experience: Learning in online mode. Peer learning is absent. There needs to be an enhancement in LMS. We should enhance assignments else students will feel isolated.

3.      Faculty and Student Collaboration: Many students are better at technology. We should encourage students and faculties to make resources. It makes students more involved.

4.      Human Values: Becoming more sensitive towards society. India should exemplify education. Institutions should collaborate because many students will not be able to go abroad.

 

 

Prof. Mini Shaji Thomas :

Director, NIT Trichy

 

On being asked that what could be the quick actions which the rural institutions should take, 

Professor Shaji said that in India, Institution Penetration is there compared to other countries. We should ensure health and safety. So, we should be in touch with students because in this COVID scenario, they are worried a lot about the uncertainty about the future. Letters have been sent to Parents to keep themselves and the students calm in this situation.

Solutions discussed upon where:

1.      Keeping in touch: With the students and making them understand that this too shall pass. It is important. Dialogue is important. Many parents are worried about fees, scholarships, schemes. Many schemes are launched to help the students as due to the Corona pandemic, many Parents have lost their jobs. How will they pay the fees? So, the college has a student fund (for any Rural/Urban college) that can help the students to get a laptop.

 

2.      Training the faculty: This was implemented upon this immediately as the lockdown was announced by the Government. E- learning courses were started for their own college faculties. Some of their college faculties are very proficient with technology. Some of them were very fresh.

They conducted workshops for around 20 colleges including IITs and NITs so that they could reach out to rural institutions to train the faculty.

The institute had faculties and around 6500 students. It is difficult to get them back on campus. For lab purposes alone, students need to get back on campus.

 

The college had developed its own learning portal. It was their first priority to bring back the research scholars while currently, everything was going online. For the 4^th /5^th year college students, they had SOP for laboratories and quarantine centers also.

Achievements:

The college conducted successful exams for around 1700 students. They created their own portal. They developed their own system where they could upload multiple question papers and could conduct exams for students. Using the 2G connection also, they could conduct the exam and upload the question paper.

Professor Shiji emphasized that we need to be Human (benevolent).

 

 

The Moderator summarized the section by saying that Faculty training is an important issue to train the nearby institutes.

 

Dr. C.S. Upadhyay :

(IIT Kanpur)

On being asked about the guidance on preparations for Engineering Institutions, Dr. Upadhyay said that the resources our colleges have are very few. The college needs to have:

1.      Good LMS

2.      Good manpower.

Good manpower is needed to engage them in preparing lectures, for having good tutorials and discussions. We can not have 400 students with 1 faculty. We should break it into small groups. An opportunity to upgrade the content.

While teaching, they will require very good part of Teacher, they will need to have simulations and youtube videos for a better teaching experience. Students need to have formative and summative assessments after every module.

 

Student – student interactions need to be there. Students need to have more projects. Zoom classes are giving an advantage that for those students who are introvert, they are able to speak up in online classes and thus, new talent pool is coming in from rural as well as non -rural areas. We all need to share our best practices.

 

The moderator said we can have 6 months of online learning and 6 months of campus learning.

 

 

Dr. Sunil Kumar Gupta :

Vice-Chancellor,  

Rajeev Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal (MP) - RGPV

 

Talking with the view of infrastructure and facilities and with respect to the continuity of education, they have more than 500 students including students from tribal areas as well. They have brought wonderful opportunities. He said that earlier when the classes were in campus, it was difficult to bring the final year students to the classroom but through online classes, everybody is coming to contribute and they are observing 80-90% attendance.

Their Startup Pathshaala had around 12K students. It was a wonderful opportunity.

Challenges:

In a survey done on 60K students about the online exams in July, it was observed to be a wonderful experience.

The speaker emphasized that we need to bring values to our students. According to him, 90% of the manpower comes from these state universities.

Solutions given:

1.      Common teaching-learning system

2.      Just like calculators, digital pads should be given to everyone for educational purposes.

3.     Telecom Companies – A tie-up or collaborati should be done and the data charges to be borne by the Universities.  

4.      Evaluation process – should be flexible. 33% Rotational system can be implemented. Studying in the blended mode (online + offline). There are companies that are focusing on skills (not waiting for a degree).

 

Prof. Animesh Bishwas :

Director, NIT Rourkela

 

Challenges:

1.      Lack of human touch.

2.      Need for social distancing.

3.      Poor Internet connectivity

4.      Uninterrupted Power supply

5.      Research Projects – due to social distancing, it is difficult to conduct. No mobility of students and faculty.

6.      In the Eastern Coastal Areas, being cyclone areas, there are problems in conducting online exams in every 2-3 weeks.

7.      Post COVID Era – There is a decline in higher education.

 

Prof. Amit Prashant :

IIT Gandhinagar

The speaker said that according to a technical survey, 80% of the students have the bandwidth and 20% of the students have access to resources. It was a suggestion for students to have resources for online learning.  

But over time, the perception has changed. It is important to see the comfort of students and faculties. There needs to be equality of course. Students need to have sufficient engagement in the course. The summer courses are voluntary. Half of the courses, they can take time. Meanwhile, they can start with the second semester. 

For bandwidth issues, there is a need and a perception. 

In online mode, summer classes are needed for faculty and peer interaction. Different pedagogical models and flexibility is implemented. 

What is the student outcome, for that the feedback is important? We have to allow faculties to evolve into their own methods. 

The model can not be completed online. It needs to be a hybrid model (70:30 flip model). Some courses will require one on one interaction. Some courses can be 70% online. Depending on the course demand, which course will go through online mode. 

Prof. N.V. Ramana Rao :

Director, NIT Warangal 

He shared their proposed plan. 

• Their structure was such as to bring the right opportunity to bring flexibility in learning and maintaining social distancing is required. 
• Collective sharing of resources will have to be implemented. It is strongly believed to promote nextGen AI, ML technologies. 
• Although the transition is difficult for teachers as well as students. It is decided more on technology. AI techniques can help in evaluating models. 
• The disadvantage in online teaching is that we have no mechanism to track students. When students lose interest, there is a need for teachers to do capacity building. 
• Blended Learning is emphasised upon. 
• Virtual Internships are suggested so that students don't lose interest. 

Prof. Anil Dattatraya Sahasrabudhe: 

He said that:

1. Hostel infrastructure facility needs to be good.

2. Internet facilities need to be good. 

3. Strategies need to be developed at the national level. 

4. Flexibility is important. It depends on location, kind of institute, kind, of course, kind of program. Can be 20-30% or 80% online and can be the same as for face to face teaching.

5. Student is the most important stakeholder. 

Ms. Miny Thomas:

She emphasized that dialogue is important.  We have 20% flexibility currently. We will raise it to 40%. Flexibility is important. It needs to be blended in particular with the course that is online or offline. 

Remote control labs can use only one at a time. The power of technology is focused upon. Each one of them uses the technology. Power is in the augmented reality and in virtual reality. 

He further said that many universities have cut section models like the way the blades are rotating. 

She further laid her emphasis on the point that "Value and ethics" are important. These can only be imbibed. There is power in honesty and integrity. Sports Ground etc. are also very important for students. 

So, attitude and acceptance on one side put in with values and complexity on the other side. 

Prof. Gadre said that we should do work with electricity, water and transport and provide better infrastructure facilities. CSC Centres, Temples and common marriage halls can be utilized for teaching with social distancing. 

The speaker also shared that there was a recent NASSCOM meeting about devices, laptops, computers etc. They can put in 5 Million investment and help can be taken from the software industry.  It was being discussed by MoHFW.

It was further proposed to donate extra mobiles which we have at our homes to the poor people and the emphasis was laid on the need for innovation. 

Post a little more discussion, the moderator concluded with the session thanking all the eminent panelists for such an insightful session. 

Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ndyDwJu_uw