MU launches virtual classroom,420 colleges get a real boost

At present,420 colleges across the state that use A-View,a system developed by Amrita University,are part of the initiative. Live streaming of lectures,sessions,or conferences can be done at these colleges.

“Vice chancellors of various universities often complain of shortage of teachers in colleges and universities. We should find out how the virtual classroom can be used to overcome teacher shortage. We need to explore how it could serve as a platform from where lectures from the best faculties can be relayed to students sitting in say,Gadchiroli,Gondia and Kolhapur,” said Sankaranarayan.

Urging MU to start the latest programmes offered by other universities,he said one must introspect why many Indian students are opting for universities in the US and the UK.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said a reason why universities in India are not ranked high globally is lack of quality faculty. “Mumbai University has attempted to connect over 400 distant colleges and this will make available best faculty. Initially our focus was on expanding the reach of education,expanding access and on increasing the gross enrollment ratio,which is still low. But perhaps we have not paid adequate attention to quality,” he said.

“The state government will support you financially in not only strengthening the system in MU,but also in taking it across the state,”

said Chavan.

The virtual classroom,housed in the university’s Kalina campus,has a seating capacity of 58. The university is expected to develop high-end courses in the next four months that can be offered across the state using the facility.

“The facility serves as a single point station for activities such as video conferences and video streaming. It serves as an amphitheatre and lecture hall. It includes a high definition projector,a high definition document camera,robotic high definition camera,digital slate with pen,touch panel laptop and wireless touch panel,” said MU Vice Chancellor Rajan Welukar.