Govt considering doubling the credits for online learning: AICTE Chairman
AICTE to promote remotely proctored exams
6 May 2020, New Delhi
The MHRD, UGC and AICTE are considering increasing the credits for online courses from 20% to 40%, according to Dr Anil D Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, AICTE. He revealed this in an interactive session with stakeholders in India’s higher education sector. The session was part of the ‘LeaderSpeak’ webinar series organized by All India Management Association (AIMA) and was anchored by Mr T V Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Manipal Global Education.
AICTE Chairman said that remotely proctored exams have already been allowed to many institutes, including AIMA, to comply with lockdowns and social distancing. “Tools are available for remotely proctored exams that can stop the exam within seconds if anything fishy is noticed,” Dr Sahsrabudhe said. However, he pointed out that not all tests can be conducted online because of internet connectivity issues in many parts of the country. “We need technology for conducting online tests with low bandwidth and on mobile phones,” he said.
Online admissions are allowed and some institutes are already interviewing candidates and admitting them online, AICTE Chairman said. He said that online mode for classes is allowed for existing students for one month, as the schedule for classes has been pushed back. “The calendar will be revised if the situation arises,” he said referring to the possibility of Covid crisis persisting beyond September.
AICTE Chairman said that the process of accreditation of institutes is continuing online. The regulator has virtualized the scrutiny of facilities using video conferencing tools. “Institutes are asked to give AICTE experts virtual tour of their facilities, which is being recorded alongwith the GPS coordinates of the institute,” he said. To finish the scrutiny of about 10,900 institutes, AICTE has appealed to Supreme Court for extending the previous deadline of 30 April.
Dr Sahasrabudhe said that AICTE would consider developing model curriculum with AIMA for teaching management in small towns. He said that AICTE was already working with IIMs on developing model curriculum. He said that AICTE’s collaboration with AIMA in faculty training will continue.
To attract foreign students to Indian universities, Dr Sahasrabudhe indicated that a survey would be conducted on the satisfaction level of the foreign students in India and greater marketing focus would be put on countries where the satisfactions levels was high.
Mr Mohandas Pai pointed out that India lacked management gurus since Indian faculty lacked money and time for in-depth research. He suggested that AICTE and AIMA could partner in creating fellowships for high quality case studies.
AICTE Chairman said the government was considering research fellowships for academics and industry professionals with one year leave and salary. These post-doctoral fellowships would be funded by AICTE and the industry.
Mr Pai also suggested increasing the entrepreneurship content in management curriculum.
Dr Sahasrabudhe said that AICTE would reduce the number of credits for classroom learning to encourage students to learn more outside the classroom, especially through internships.
The interactive online session with Dr Sahasrabudhe was attended by about 700 delegates.
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