Central University of Odisha, Koraput pioneers ICT based education Lecture Series on “COVID-19 and After”.
Report by Nishapati Nayak; Koraput: The Central University of Odisha, Koraput has pioneered ICT based sessions for the students during COVID 19. With the Vice Chancellor, Prof. I. Ramabrahmam, leading from the front, the University has been consistently devising new, technology based education for the students, even in trying times like the COVID pandemic. In a matter of weeks, the pandemic has changed how students are educated around the world and the central University of Odisha, Koraput has been able to integrate tech-based classes for the students.
On 15th of April, the renowned Public Policy expert & Technology (ICT) practitioner Charudutta Panigrahi took the first in a series of sessions planned for the students, focused on COVID & After, with specific reference to socio-economic trends for the future and the scope for students and academicians to adapt to the changes and help in transformations all around them. COVID-19 has become a catalyst for Multi-speciality University like CUO to leverage innovative solutions in a relatively short period of time.
In the words of Ambikesh, a student, “I would like to express sincere gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for organizing such a wonderful and stimulating deliberation on “COVID 19 and it’s impacts” today in the virtual platform. My specially thanks to Durga Sir, Kapila Sir, Aditya Sir, Bijay Sir, Nupur Madam and Manas Sir for helping organize the meeting, despite the initial technical glitches. My heartiest thanks to Sri Charudutta Sir for enlightening us with his excellence on the topic. We the students, appreciate your efforts and patience for taking all the possible steps to avoid any academic losses to the students during the lockdown.” Prof Durga Prasad championed the concept of tech based teaching at the University.
Mr Panigrahi spoke to the students about the loss in livelihoods, household savings and the national savings due to the COVID disaster and helped the students see a role for themselves in researching in their areas using technology and helping the governments in better policy initiatives for the communities to cope after COVID. His talk was futuristic (as he is also a futurist) and helped broaden the vision of the students to work on a blueprint, COVID & After. The session concluded with assignments given to the students for the next session. The students and faculty felt that such sessions should be more frequent so that the contemporary narratives and thoughts could be shared with the students. This move by the University has been hailed as innovative, progressive and out-of-the-box.
Prof. Akshay Rout (IIS Retd.) has been contributing academically to the students by using the zoom platform. Having experience as former OSD Swacchata Mission and director general doordarshan, Prof Rout delivered lectures on public broadcasting system, Swacchata mission and awareness on COVID 19. His lectures are very much helpful for the students.