Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 12: The19th Indian Distance Education Association (IDEA) conference began today at the Directorate of Distance Education in Jammu University.
JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohan Pal Singh Ishar inaugurated the conference with the theme “Quality Assurance and Sustenance of Open Distance Education: issues, concerns, challenges, and development.”
In his inaugural address, the VC said that Open Distance Learning programs are the important components of the Education System of any country, particularly in the Indian context, keeping in view the projected Gross Enrollment Rate (GER) of 30 percent.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr V D Singh, Director of Distance Education gave the brief introduction of the Distance Education in JU and detail of the courses that are being offered by the Directorate.
Prof Romesh Varma, general secretary, Indian Distance Education Association (IDEA) said that IDEA is the leading national professional body of academicians, policy makers, administrators and other stakeholders of distance and open learning system of education.
Prof K Murali Manohar, president IDEA, spoke on IDEA’s role and activities in the changing context of higher education and also deliberated upon the quality component.
Noted academician Prof C R K Murthy, Director, Staff Training and Research Institute of Distance Education (STRIDE), New Delhi, delivered the Keynote address.
In his detailed presentation, Prof Murthy dwelt upon various issues related to Quality, and Quality Assurance. He also stressed on the need to a planned and a strengthened ODL System as the demand for learning has grown manifold and as per the expert estimates, to cope with the enrollment demand, India needs 1500 Universities more to increase enrollment ratio by 20 percent in the next 10 years.
Dr Shanta Goswamy Varma, Director, Office of Online Programmes, University of Houston, Clear Lake, United States, spoke on “Change in Faculty Attitudes in Teaching Online” and said that the faculty attitude plays an important role in teaching online programs.
Earlier the Souvenir of the conference was also released on the occasion.
Dr Sandeep Tandon delivered formal vote of thanks.
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