AMUCT in association with St. Agnes College, Mangaluru, (Autonomous) organised a one day National level Seminar on ‘Insights on CBCS and MOOCs in Higher Education System’ on the 28 June 2019. Prof. Yadapadithaya, Vice Chancellor, Mangalore University inaugurated the programme. Prof. A. M Khan, Registrar, Mangalore University, Dr. Appaji Gowda SB, Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education, Mangalore, Dr. Sr. Jeswina A.C., Principal, St Agnes College, Mangalore were the Guests of Honour.
Dr. N.M. Joseph, President, AMUCT welcomed the gathering and in his introductory remarks struck a chord in all the assembled teachers questioning where our education system was heading. He said the time has now come for students to learn new subjects of their choice through CBCS. He appreciated the revolutionary steps taken by the Mangalore University in this regard.
The digital inauguration of the Seminar was done by the dignitaries. Dr. Yadapadithaya, Vice Chancellor, Mangalore University, in his presidential address commended St. Agnes College for its achievements in various spheres and felt honoured to be in the company of intellectuals where new ideas can be assimilated for further excellence. He opined that free education is to be given for all from KG to PG and he was still hoping for it. He continued saying that the biggest challenge in higher education is the change of mindset. At present we have become the slaves of conventional education system changing from score to credit based and from credit to choice based now. He highlighted that there is a need to have awareness on four important forms of resistance are lack of understanding, lack of motivation, fear and lack of trust in people who bring changes. Again based on the digital ignorance he categorised the people as digital aliens, digital immigrants and digital natives, and he insisted the changed mind set is the only solution to aliens and immigrants. Finally, he concluded with some tips to accept changes for the benefit of everyone and wished the seminar all success.
Prof. A. M Khan, Registrar, Mangalore University, emphasized that lack of understanding by people who are immigrant to technology to have trust in the Choice Based Education System and bring changes in the education system. He said the main objective of CBCS is networking the available human resource and helping the learners to have multidisciplinary education. He concluded saying that to change the mindset, it was necessary to make a will to change and remove all the fear.
Dr. Appaji Gowda SB, Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education, Mangalore also repeated to adjust to the change and make difference in the system. He also asked to improve the education system through MOOCs Addressing the gathering Dr. Sr. Jeswina A.C Principal, St Agnes College, Mangalore said that education has to be student centric to create interest and make education applicable to life for the benefit of students and for the institution. She highlighted the MOOCs and SWAYAM courses as a learning resource and their importance in bringing equity, quality and accessibility to all.
Dr. Vishala B.K., General Secretary of AMUCT and Chief Librarian, St. Agnes College proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. Malini Hebbar, Dept of English, St. Agnes College was the Master of Ceremony.
The inaugural was followed by sessions on Choice Based Credit System by Prof. A. M. Khan, Open Educational Resources for Research by Dr. Gopakumar V, University Librarian, Goa university and MOOC/ Swayam by Prof. P Mallikarjunappa, Dean, Faculty of Commerce, Dept. Of Business Administration, Mangalore University.
