Need to eliminate ‘bias’ toward Distance Education: Dr Farooq

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IDEA CONFERENCE BEGINS AT KU

Varsity to have ‘Prof Punjabi Training and Research Academy’

The Minister for New and Renewable Energy Resources, Dr Farooq Abdullah, on Thursday asserted that there was need to remove the “bias” associated with the Open and Distance Mode of education.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the 15^th Indian Distance Education Association (IDEA) Annual Conference at the University of Kashmir, Dr Abdullah said, “There is certainly some degree of bias associated with this mode of learning. And it is we who have created this bias by saying that degrees through this mode are available at ease which is not the case.”

Dr Abdullah, who was the chief guest, promised that he would take up the matter of “allotting more funds” to this mode of education with the Human Resource Development Ministry. “I will get a meeting arranged between the KU vice-chancellor and Mr Kapil Sibal, the HRD Minister to discuss the issue,” he told a gathering of academics and officials at the KU’s Convocation Complex.

Dr Abdullah said there was need to maintain quality while imparting and promoting education through this mode of learning. “We have a problem of getting faculty for this mode as they fear to teach in far flung areas owing to fewer facilities there. These difficulties, however, are not unique to our state, but are seen in all hilly areas. But once the distance mode will flourish, the bias associated with it will also go,” he said.

Dr Abdullah said the establishment of Central University in Kashmir has thrown more challenges before the KU. “The KU has to meet these challenges in the days to come,” he said, while urging teachers to “think twice” before leaving the Kashmir varsity and join the Central University.

He said that peace would return to the Valley one day. “We need mental peace and I am sure that it will come one day,” Dr Abdullah said.

The 4-day Conference titled “Quality Assurance in Open and Distance Education: Challenges, Issues, Concerns and Developments” is organised by the varsity’s Directorate of Distance Education.

The KU vice-chancellor, Prof Riyaz Punjabi, said there was need to sensitize planners, policy makers and civil society about the importance of distance mode of education. “This mode serves two purposes. One it ensures education for in-service people also besides those who can’t afford it through conventional mode,” he said, adding that there was need to have a “Task Force” to examine how the mode can flourish.

Prof Punjabi, who delivered the presidential address, said there was need to change the mindset that distance education was something which is not viable.

In his keynote address, Prof O R Reddy, the vice-chancellor of Dr B R Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad, said the Open and Distance Education systems merits a special place in the higher education system. “This is because of its major contribution in enhancing the gross enrolment ratio and democratization of higher education to large segments of population,” he said, adding, “Every person in the University should realize that he/she has a responsibility to contribute to the goal of quality service.”

In her welcome address, the Director, KU’s Directorate of Distance Education, Prof Shafiqa Parveen informed the august gathering that the varsity is likely to establish “Prof Punjabi Training and Research Academy” in the campus. “This academy will function as a knowledge repository besides hold regular seminars, conferences and workshops for capacity building,” she said, while highlighting the contributions and achievements of the Directorate over the years.

The IDEA president, Prof K Murali Manohar, hoped that the Conference would discuss all the critical issues pertaining to the Open and Distance Education.

The IDEA general secretary, Prof Romesh Verma, read out the IDEA Message on the occasion. “Let’s enhance the employability skills in students studying through this mode by imparting quality education to them,” the message read.

The KU registrar, Prof S Fayyaz Ahmad, thanked the dignitaries and participants. “The KU is committed to make this state a hub of knowledge and research,” he said.

Senior faculty member at DDE, Dr Nahid Ruhie conducted the proceedings of the function.