A one-day workshop on reforms in undergraduate education in Meghalaya was organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of Sngap Syiem College in collaboration with RUSA Cell SSC, Mawkyrwat today.
The objective of the workshop was to discuss the pressing issues and challenges faced by the undergraduate sector. It laid emphasis on three crucial aspects – ABCS, MOOCS, and SWAYAM – which are integral to the development of higher education.
The resource persons were Prof S. Umdor, Controller of Examination at NEHU (North-Eastern Hill University), and Dr. Q. Khabuli, Coordinator of SWAYAM at NEHU.
Umdor during a session delved into the essence of higher education and highlighted the significance of taking the CUET-UG, as a means to gauge one’s knowledge against national standards. He urged students to embrace change and broaden their minds to prepare for an uncertain future. Emphasising on cultivating a habit of reading, he stressed that books are a gateway to expanding minds.
He also shed light on how traditional education has been overshadowed by modern education that is market-oriented, focusing solely on developing skills, competencies, and enhancing productivity. As Meghalaya struggles with an imbalance between various streams and courses offered in higher education, it is imperative to introduce new skill-based courses to bring about equilibrium.
The concept of MOOCS (Massive Open Online Courses) was also introduced during the session where anyone can pursue short duration courses and earn a degree without being physically present in a traditional classroom setup. Umdor motivated students to adopt the habit of reading books and newspapers as a means to develop an open mind and break free from narrow-mindedness and biases.
Kharbuli talked on Massive Open Online Courses/ Study Webs of active-Learning For Young aspiring Minds (MOOCs/ SWAYAM).
Both are online Learning Courses under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Through MOOCs and SWAYAM students can opt for Elective courses under NEP 2020.
SWAYAM online courses at the UG level to be offered to the students of second and third semester in lieu of Elective Courses only. The SWAYAM is offered to the students twice a year. Notification of list of courses is notified on November 1 for January semester and June 1 for July semester.
Any Faculty enrolling in SWAYAM/ MOOCs can be beneficial for his/her career advancement scheme and faculty development programme. She also spoke on SWAYAM Prabha, e-PG Patshala and Karma Yoga.
