PU to take teachers' feedback on online teaching

trap: VC Prof Raj Kumar holds three meetings, 49 suggestions tabled

(The Tribune Impact

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 15

A day after The Tribune reported the roadblocks in Panjab University’s route to online teaching, the university authorities have now decided to take feedback from chairpersons, directors and coordinators for online teaching.

Panjab University (PU) organised three online meetings chaired by PU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Raj Kumar today with the officials and chairpersons. It was discussed that there is a need to make an academic calendar.

The advisory committee has given 49 suggestions till date. It was decided that student’s grievance and apprehensions to be discussed on priority.

The first meeting included the VC, Prof RK Singla, Dean, Research; Prof Karamjit Singh, Registrar; Prof Sanjay Kaushik, DCDC; Prof Neena Caplash, DSW(W); Dr Muneeshwar Joshi, SVC and professors from the Department of Laws, the UIHMT and the UIET.

In the second meeting held through online platform, the VC in presence of Prof RK Singla interacted with chairpersons, directors and coordinators from 34 departments.

The VC took the review of progress of syllabus covered and teaching using technology in the current situation. The chairpersons shared that before lockdown, around 65 per cent syllabus was covered. Almost all the departments are using various online platforms such as Google Classroom, Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, e-mail etc to connect with students for covering syllabus and solving queries.

Various chairpersons shared their experiences of interaction with the students and told that they are covering the syllabus using technology as the tool.

The VC suggested that after the lockdown is over, sometime may be used for remedial classes and performing practicals. Thereafter, the examinations may be scheduled.

Dr Vishal Sharma, coordinator, SWAYAM, PU, has also given a training session on using Zoom and WebEx as tool for online classroom teaching in the interactive mode. Some of the questions of chairpersons are clarified related to using these tools.

In the third meeting, Prof Kumar, Prof RK Singla, Prof Neena Capalash and six faculty members of the UIET interacted online. The VC reviewed the progress of projects in development to handle Covid-19 situation and discussed using 3d printing technology for face covers, starting work on moulding machine for face mask manufacturing and connect with Principal GMCH, Director PGIMER for medical professional help.

Box

Projects in the pipeline

*Designing disinfectant tunnels

* Using 3d printing technology for face covers

* Covid-19 sample collection box

* Using Drone for video recording and delivery

*Low-cost ventilator needs to be started

*Social initiative at UIET level, including content delivery for school and college students and Hoshiarpur students through online mode

*Develop kitchen garden in various hostels