HRD 145;virtual146; IIT for students soon

The Indian Institutes of Technology are all set for an online foray. In an ambitious programme, the country8217;s premier engineering institutes are preparing a web-based curriculum to impart engineering education through the internet to students across the country.

The Indian Institutes of Technology IITs are all set for an online foray. In an ambitious programme, the country8217;s premier engineering institutes are preparing a web-based curriculum to impart engineering education through the internet to students across the country.

The project, undertaken by the seven IITs and the Indian Institute of Science IISc in Bangalore, is a part of the National Programme for Technology Enhanced Learning NPTEL, proposed in 2003. Funded by the HRD Ministry, the programme8217;s objective is to provide web-based engineering education for students throughout the country.

Officials say the project is nearing completion and is expected to be launched soon.

The project aims at delivering video and web-based content for a total of 240 courses in various engineering disciplines 8212; including civil, computer science, electrical, electronics and communication and mechanical 8212; at the undergraduate level

Video lectures will broadcast through television and EDUSAT. Web-based material will be available in the form of websites and DVDs, and video and web-based courses will be made available freely to more than two million engineering students across the country.

According to an HRD ministry official, the NPTEL programme marks India8217;s entry into the global arena of ICT-enabled education. 8220;Eight institutions, five branches of engineering and more than 300 faculty members are working together to help more than two million engineering students in the country,8221; he said.

8220;Educational programmes will be offered through Doordarshan and EDUSAT keeping in mind the reach of television. NPTEL coordinators are working towards setting up a world-class infrastructure to sustain this programme,8221; the official added.

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Initially, the material developed by the IITs will be freely available 8212; including to students, practicing engineers and even anyone interested in acquiring knowledge. Officials say the next phase of the project, already under development, would include the creation of a virtual university.