BR Ambedkar University of Social Sciences, Mhow organized a webinar titled “Covid-19: New Dimensions of Management Education” on 13 June, Saturday. Chief Guest Prof Sunil Gupta, Former Vice Chancellor-HP University, Shimla stressed at the importance to increase our infrastructure, digital and otherwise, if we want to move towards digital education in a big way. Since, there is a very big area in the country where there is still no internet access, one needs to really evaluate the mentioned factors in a proper manner. He mentioned that at present, we cannot go completely towards online education but should conduct only 40 to 50% virtual education while keeping 50% to 60% as in-classroom education. India needs to take gradual but efficient steps towards virtual education.
Prof PK Singh, Director, Management Development Institute-Gurugram delivered the keynote address in which he stated that Coronavirus epidemic is not like 20:20 cricket form but more like a test cricket match, that will continue to stay with us for a long time in our life.
In the context of the education scenario, he mentioned that the HRD Minister, UGC, AICTE, Chancellors, etc. are the very first link who will give new guidelines and advisories for the improvement of the education system. Heads of the Institutions/universities will be considered the top while teachers and students are the third and fourth links of education structure.
Guest of Honour Prof. Piyush Ranjan Agarwal, Vice Chancellor- Awadesh Pratap University, Rewa stated that while the educational institutions will have to develop their own infrastructure to fit on the online medium, the students also need to be equipped with facilities like smartphones, laptops and broadband connectivity to take full advantage of virtual education. Prof Upendra Dhar, Vice Chancellor- Vaishnav Vidyapeeth University, Indore informed that in the present situation, there has been a steady decline in the ratio of Indian students going abroad and taking admission for their education. UGC had also started online teaching platforms like Swayam, Swayam Prabha and MOOCs, two years ago.
Prof Vivek Sharma, Dean & Director, CRIM- Barkatullah University said that there is a huge expansion of the digital marketing and IT sector during the Corona Lockdown period.
Kinnari Thakkar, Dean, Department of Commerce- Mumbai University mentioned in her speech that it is important to move forward in a positive direction in the field of education while working on SWOT analysis. There is a need to connect with students on an online platform while providing social and emotional support at this time of crisis. Slowly and surely, mixed changes will be visible by using new dimensions in management.
Prof Asha Shukla, Vice Chancellor while delivering her presidential address, said that as humans, we should also determine our responsibilities in emergency situations. In the present circumstances, one needs to restructure the admission, examination, research work, placement and other miscellaneous activities and present it to the society and to the nation with innovation. One also needs to think about creative & innovative ideas in the field of education, keeping in mind the present national scenario.
Prof RK Shukla, HOD (Department of Commerce)- Devi Ahilya University Indore also expressed his views on the occasion
