AU launches interactive learning programmes
The first batch of distance education students of the Anna University, Coimbatore, will not have to attend the conventional Personal Contact Programmes (PCP) hereafter. The university has introduced the Interactive Learning Programmes (ILP), in its place.The ILP will enable the distance education students to learn online and in a continuous manner, R. Radhakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor, said while inaugurating the programme on Saturday. The university launched the distance education programmes for the 2007-2008 recently. Thirty-seven courses in management, science and engineering, including computer science, high level of technology orientation, had been introduced. Under the ILP, each student would be given an e-mail ID. A teacher would be dedicated for each subject. Students could regularly interact with the faculty online. This would ensure continuous learning, the Vice-Chancellor told The Hindu. “As per the mandate of the Quality Council constituted by us, quality text books have been supplied. Students’ Relationship Management will be adopted for ensuring speedy mitigation of students’ grievances. The curriculum of the courses is designed by bench marking it with international standards”, the Vice-Chancellor added. The first batch of students would appear for the first semester examination in February 2008 and second semester in June.
A fresh batch would be admitted in January for the year of 2008. The university had plans to help the subsequent batch of distance education students pursuing postgraduate studies to procure computers at subsidised rates.“There will be contribution from the student as well as the university. This will make online education more relevant”, Dr. Radhakrishnan observed. After evaluation and testing, online education would be launched in the near future for regular courses too. This would help not only the students, but also the public to learn more about the emerging areas in engineering, about the additional courses it would offer. For details contact V. Balakrishnan, Director, Directorate of Online and Distance Education, Anna University, Coimbatore, GCT Campus, Coimbatore – 641013; or call 0422-2455353.
