Satellite-linked classrooms, webcasts and soon, even online admissions will be the mainstay of an increasing number of people.
Thanks to the internet and technology, courses ranging from IT to human resources are within everyone’s reach
MUMBAI: The winds of change are blowing in the world of distance education. Satellite-linked classrooms, webcasts and soon, even online admissions will be the mainstay of an increasing number of people — many working full-time to improve their educational qualifications or enter the high-paying world of information technology.
At the Mumbai University’s Kalina campus, students line up at a counter at the Institute of Distance Education (IDE) to ask for course details; others examine notice boards for class schedules and exam dates. Doing a course through the distance education programme does not require one to attend classes. You can acquire proficiency not only in regular subjects but even in specialised courses not available at full-time colleges.
Kunal Pawar, 21, who is beginning the third semester of his BSC IT course at the IDE says, “I have given up my gym trainer’s job to do this course. It will help me make a career in IT.”
Sandeep Viswanathan, 30, who recently completed a postgraduate certificate in management from IIM, Indore attended a ‘virtual’ classroom in Mumbai where many working professionals like him gathered twice weekly for lectures video-cast from Indore. What’s adding the byte to distance education is the kind of courses now available. SNDT will start a nine-month Call Centre Management course beginning March1. At C-DEEP, IIT Mumbai’s distance engineering programme, there are 22 courses on offer, including areas such as nano-electronics, bio-medical engineering and artificial intelligence.
Youngsters like Kunal have signed up for the hugely popular IT courses — that include both Bachelor’s and Master’s in IT and Computer Applications. A spokesperson with the IDE says 3,500 students have enrolled, up from 700 when the course began two years ago. At Rs12,000 per year, a BSc in IT through the Institute is a steal, costing about half that of a full-time course.
But how are these courses perceived in the job market? Aquil Busrai, ED-human resources, IBM India says, “It depends on whether a person goes in for just a qualification or to really acquire knowledge.” “The mindset of companies towards distance learning is becoming more positive,” says Leena Nair, executive director-HR, Hindustan Unilever.
C-DEEP ‘s Kannan Maudgalia says that his institute’s tie-up with the Indian Space Research Organisation helps it offer select courses via a virtual classroom to colleges outside Maharashtra. Distance education also offers courses for young seamen like Ankur Ahluwalia who has enrolled for a BSc in Nautical technology offered by the Mumbai University. “This course will help me become more competitive in the job market.” At the end of the day, the reputation of the institution is the sole criterion. “I have done my course through an IIM which is as a well-known brand.” says IT-student R Vishwanathan.
d_brian@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}