The panel discussion started with the welcome note by Prof. Sanjay kumar Jha Director, Amity School of Liberal Arts. He introduced the topic mentioning that Covid-19 has forced universities across India, and the world indeed, to suspend physical classrooms and shift to online classes. In India, while this transition has been smooth for most private universities, the public ones are still adapting. There have also been debates on the nature of classes, and the future of examination and evaluation whether they could be conducted online or not. While faculty grapples with new ways of managing this sudden transition to online education, students are left clinging on to their mobile phones and computer screens. If the lockdowns were to continue for some time, how would education be affected? What are some of the deeper issues that require introspection? And the future of students in present scenario. With these thoughts, He invited the esteemed panelists to share their valuable thoughts on the common problems faced by students in online education such as Adaptability Struggle, Technical Issues, Computer Literacy, Time Management, Self-Motivation.
Prof. Dr. Padmakali Banerjee , Hon'ble Pro Vice- Chancellor Amity University Haryana spoke in detail about higher education, curricula design, modes of assessment, industry, academia integration , research and knowledge creation. Her views on the above issues left everyone flabbergasted. Followed thereafter, Prof. (Dr.) Prabhat Ranjan, Hon'ble Vice- Chancellor, D Y Patil University, Pune, expressed his views on role of teachers as guru, infrastructure, multilingual approach and use of ICT. Prof. (Dr.) Shri Hari Honwad, Pro Vice- Chancellor, Sir Padampat Singhania University, Udaipur spoke about overall growth , value system, spiritual concerns and blended system of learning. In the final round of discussion Prof. (Dr.) Kamal Bansal, Dean, UPES, Dehradun highlighted the issues of evaluation , assessment, motivation, updation of curriculum, teachers and students as critical thinkers, and situation based learning.
Prof. Kiran Devendra, the guest speaker for the session spoke about utilising time effectively by reading, commitment and human touch.
Higher education is seldom about exams, classes, or grades. Rather, it is about an experience that prepares a student to become a functioning member of the work force, with requisite knowledge, skills, and life experiences. With this words of wisdom, the convener of the session ended the panel discussion by thanking everyone who has participated and made this event successful.