SPECIAL REPORT:

ASSOCIATION OF INDIAN UNIVERSITIES

WEST ZONE VICE-CHANCELLORS MEET 2015-16

HOSTED BY

SHIVAJI UNIVERSITY, KOLHAPUR

(NOVEMBER 26-27, 2015)

Theme : Digital India & Higher Education

Association of Indian Universities West Zone Vice Chancellors Meet (2015-16) was hosted by Shivaji University, Kolhapur during 26-27November, 2015. The following AIU officials, Vice Chancellors and Resource Person were present for the meet.

1. Professor Furqan Qamar, Secretary General of AIU.2. Dr. Veena Bhalla, Joint Secretary, AIU. 3. Shri Sampson David, Joint Secretary, AIU.4. Shri Pradeep Kumar, Under Secretary, AIU.5. Dr. Sistla Rama Devi Pani, the Editor of University News. AIU.6. Dr. Vimlesh Chaudhary, Vice Chancellor, Pandit Deendayal Upadhaya Shekhawati,

University Sikar.7. Prof. R. L. Godara, Vice Chancellor, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University

Patan, Gujrat.8. Prof. H. Maheshappa. Vice Chancellor, VTU, Belgaum 9. Prof. Devanand Shinde, Vice Chancellor, Shivaji University, Kolhapur10. Prof. A. M. Mahajan, Registrar, North Maharashtra, University, Jalgaon.11. Dr. B. S. Patel, I/c Vice Chancellor, KSKV Kachchh University Bhuj.12. Prof. S. H. Pawar, Vice Chancellor, Dr. D. Y. Patil University, Kolhapur.13. Dr. P. N. Razdan, Vice Chancellor, Dr. D. Y. Patil University, Pune14. Dr. S. L. Sony, Faculty Co-ordinator Training & Placement/Professor, Mechanical

Engg Dept., Malviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur.15. Dr. Debjani Dasgupta, Director, School of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, Dr. D. Y.

Patil University, Navi Mumbai.16. Dr. Shivajirao Kadam, Vice Chancellor, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Deemed University,

Pune.17. Dr. Shashank D Dalavi, Vice Chancellor, Pravara Institute of Medical Science

(Deemed University) Rahata.18. Prof. G. Raghurama, BITS Pilani, Goa Campus19. Prof. G. M. Naik, Goa University

20. Prof. N. K. Goyal, GTU21. Prof. D. H. Rao, VTU, Belgaum

Comprehensive Report

Inaugural Session

Chairperson: Professor Furqan Qamar, Secretary General of Association of Indian Universities, New DelhiChief Guest: Professor G. Raghurama, former Director, BITS Pilani, Goa

Inauguration Function

Inaugural Session was held in Rajarshi Shahu Hall, under the chairmanship of Professor Furqan Qamar, Secretary General of Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi. Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Professor Devanand Shinde extended warm welcome to the Chairman, Professor Furqan Qamar, chief guest Professor G. Raghurama, former Director, BITS Pilani and the guest of honour, Dr. H. Maheshappa, Vice Chancellor, VTU, Belgaum, by offering a book on Rajarshi Chh. Shahu Maharaj and a Memento. Prin. (Dr.) D. R. More, Director, BCUD and the Nodal Officer of the meet, welcomed the office bearers of Association of Indian Universities, Dr. Veena Bhalla, Joint Secretary, Shri Sampson David, Joint Secretary, Shri Pradeep Kumar, Under Secretary and Dr. Sistla Rama Devi Pani, the

Editor of University News. It was followed by the watering of plant by the Chief Guest and the Dignitaries on the dais announced the commencement of the meet.

Releasing Special Issue of University News

Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Professor Devanand Shinde delivered welcome speech, in which he paid homage to the national heroes who sacrificed their lives in the unfortunate event of 26/11 in Mumbai. He spoke about the significance of the Indian Constitution and its sanctity. He referred to the pioneering social work by Chh. Shahu Maharaj and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and took a review of the major achievements of Shivaji University right from 1962 to date. He made a proud mention of contribution of the former Vice-Chancellor of Shivaji University, Professor K. B. Powar who worked as Secretary General of AIU for consecutive two terms. He spelt out objectives of Shivaji University in terms of providing higher education to the rural masses. He referred to the social and educational reforms introduced by Chh. Rajaram Maharaj, the former Dy. Prime Minister Yashwantrao Chavan, Loknete Balasaheb Desai, Dr. Balkrishna and the first Vice-Chancellor Dr. Appasaheb Pawar, among others. He appreciated the significant achievements of Shivaji University culminating in getting the NAAC Accreditation at ‘A’ grade with 3.16 CGPA. Professor Shinde also highlighted the major achievements of Shivaji University with reference to various National and International collaborations, substantial research funding received from the Government of India, Government of Maharashtra, the World Bank, UGC, DST, DAE, and other apex funding agencies in India. He also mentioned the initiatives taken by Shivaji University in starting Nano-science and Bio-technology departments, Yashwantrao Chavan

School of Rural Development and Space Research Centre at Panhala which is being associated with ISRO. He further made a mention of research output of the faculty of Shivaji University in SCOPUS database and quality of research reflected through p-index, h-index

Dignitaries of AIU Meet

and patents. He took review of achievements of faculty of Shivaji University in terms of number of research fellowships at National and International levels and recognition received by various departments through support under SAP, DST-FIST programs of UGC and DST respectively. He further added that, Shivaji University has been recently identified under Global Initiative in Academic Network (GIAN) program of UGC under which a good number of international faculty will be visiting Shivaji University, Kolhapur for sharing their expertise with students and faculty members of the University. He concluded his speech by assuring the extensive use of Technology in Shivaji University particularly by implementing MOOCS, smart class-room and m-learning.

26th November being the ‘Constitution Day’, the Preamble was read aloud by the Ag. Registrar Dr. V. N. Shinde and the august gathering.

A special issue of the University News was released at the auspicious hands of the dignitaries on the dais.

The Chief Guest of the inaugural function, Professor G. Raghurama, former Director, BITS Pilani and a Senior Professor at K. K. Birla Goa Campus, delivered the inaugural speech on “Digital India and Higher Education”. He began his speech with a quotation by

George Bernard Shaw, “Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything”. The quote appears to be a key issue in implementing the digital mode in higher education. Initially he appreciated the sprawling and green campus of the University and the efforts being taken to maintain it in proper order, particularly keeping it pollution-free by adopting the best practices like No Vehicle Day. Professor Raghurama spoke about the 9 pillars of Digital India: Broadband Highway, Universal Access, Public Internet, e-Governance, e-Kranti, Electronics manufacturing, IT for jobs, Information for all and Early Harvest Program. He elaborated the role of each of the pillars in making Digital India project successful. He took a review of the Digital Facilities like DigiLocker, Biometric attendance, Jivan Pramaan, Akash Tablets etc. He pointed out inadequate response of higher education system to Digital India project. He said that in order to make Digital India project successful higher education is the prime sector to undertake the initiative. It is not that the funds are problem, it is the traditional mindset that disrupts the movement, he added. He made some valid suggestions like resorting to the process of assessment and admission through digital mode in Universities. Digital mode can prevent malpractices and will save printing of degrees on mass scale. To make Digital India a grand success in higher education, universities should be provided with more autonomy and independence, his stressed.

Professor Furqan Qamar, Secretary General of AIU delivered the Chairman’s speech. At the outset, he appreciated the academic excellence and quality research work done by Shivaji University in spite of all its regional odds and thanked the University for hosting the meet. He stated that it is necessary to respond positively to Digital India project as we are living in the dynamic global world and insisted that our higher education system should be re-organised in the digital mode. He took a review of functioning of universities since their inception in India and the role of UGC right from 1956. He referred to some of the important issues like university-industry collaboration, academic excellence, equity etc. and said that technology has a tremendous potential of transforming the world. He was of the opinion that Universities should interact with each other and share their success stories. The youth of India should not be underestimated and, at the same, while coping up with Digital India movement, seniors should also be respected, he said. He cited an example of Wikipedia, an open access digital encyclopaedia to which experts from all age groups contribute. He insisted that government should assist universities substantially for making their campuses technology integrated and well connected with each other. University Authorities should work as power house of knowledge and should be student-centric while designing curriculum, he said. He opined that teacher cannot be substituted by technology; on the contrary technology can make the teachers more creative and innovative in imparting the knowledge. It is quite possible to save time on non-teaching and non-academic activities of a teacher by adapting the changing technology.

At the end of the programme, Prin. (Dr.) D. R. More, Director, BCUD and the Nodal Officer proposed a vote of thanks.

Recommendations:

To make Digital India a grand success in higher education, universities should be provided with more autonomy and independence.

Physical infrastructure required for implementing Digital India Project in Higher Education be strengthened.

The component of computer application be included in model curriculum of all the disciplines in the universities.

Teachers in Higher Education be provided with cutting edge technology to save their time which is spent otherwise on non-academic activities.

Session I: Make in India for Digital Paradigm

Key Speaker: Professor H. Maheshappa, Vice-Chancellor of Vishweshwarya Technological University, Belgaum, Karnataka

Chairperson: Prof. R. L. Godara, Vice-Chancellor of Hmechandracharya North Gujrat University, Gujrat

Professor H. Maheshappa delivering his address

Dr. K. S. Oza welcomed and introduced the Chairperson Prof. R. L. Godara and Dr. A. M. Sarwade welcomed and introduced the Resource Person, Prof. H. Maheshappa

Prof. H. Maheshappa expressed his views on the topic ‘Digital Voyage in Higher Education’. At the outset he emphasized the need to introduce the Digital India project in higher education and to create smart universities. As an example of such a smart university, he elaborated the reforms and innovations he carried out in Vishweshwarya Technological University (VTU). The traditional universities are overburdened with the work related to examinations and also that of affiliation. In his presentation he showed how the digital and online facilities prove to be of great relevance in reducing this burden. His presentation consisted of five sections, namely, Online Delivery of Question Papers, Digital Valuation System, Online Affiliation System, Online Plagiarism Check of Thesis and its Evaluation and VTU Consortium for e-Resources.

Online Delivery of Question Papers- In the traditional university setup the university has to get the question papers printed and to supply those to the respective examination centres. In these processes much of human resource and money is invested. To avoid this, VTU introduced the system of online delivery of question papers to the respective examination centres with appropriate security measures.

Digital Valuation System – In the traditional university system the answer-scripts are assessed by the teachers at a particular centre, where he/she has to go and stay for a period of time. This process consumes human resources, time and expenses towards TA/DA. In Digital valuation system the answer-script is scanned, encoded automatically and hosted on the university server. All such scanned scripts are then assessed online by the teachers. Based on this e-assessment, statements of marks are generated automatically.

Online Affiliation System seeks to minimize the burden on university administration by providing facility of online application and its scrutiny.

Online Plagiarism Check and Online Evaluation System of M. Phil/ Ph.D. Theses expedite the process of evaluation and ensure quality research, asserted the speaker.

Professor H. Maheshappa further enlightened the audience on VTU consortium for e-resources. In order to prepare such an exhaustive consortium, the university consulted various publishers and purchased e-resources for both the university and affiliated colleges. This practice helped the researchers in getting relevant material at hand considerably at low cost.

Chairman Prof. R. L. Godara appreciated the presentation of the speaker and also congratulated VTU for implementing the Digital reforms. The Vice-Chancellor of Shivaji University, Professor Devanand Shinde felicitated both the speaker and the chairperson.

Professor D. K. Gaikwad proposed a vote of thanks.

Recommendations:-

The use of ICT should be extended to teaching, learning and research in addition to university administration.

The use of ICT be extended to Hindi and other regional languages.

There be a central ICT centre in the university to facilitate the online and offline Digital activities.

Session II: Sector Skills Initiative under Digital India

Key Speaker : Yudhisther Yadav, NASSCOM, Mumbai

Chairperson : Dr Debjani Dasgupta, Director, School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, D Y Patil University, Navi Mumbai.

The Speaker showed video on “Sector Skills Initiative under Digital India”. It includes problems in India, computer and IT, dreams, spirituality, branding, e-government, prosperity, IT Revolution and vibrant India. He spoke on NASSCOM as global talent powerhouse and digital leader. He mentioned strengths and weakness of students studying in technical institutes and conventional colleges. He presented a statistical report on number of students appearing for the first scrutiny test of any company and number of students left for final round of selection process. It has been pointed out that even 25% students are unable reach to the final round. With this analysis, he emphasized the very need of training students in soft skills and IT skills. He presented a NASSCOM model, which is based on requirements of corporate companies, their support under CSR and training facilities through colleges. This model effectively uses funds from CSR for training students in soft skills and IT skills. He said that no company is interested to recruit a student with poor soft skills and IT skills. Companies always look for a candidate having sound competence in various skills, in addition to the core knowledge of the subject. He made four publication of NASSCOM on Great Careers Here; Look no Further, Gearing UP for Great Career Opportunities, Listen to Your Career’s True Calling and Creating Infinite Career Opportunities. He encouraged higher education institutes to come forward and join NASSCOM to create a training facility in their respective institutions. He emphasized that there will not be any financial burden on any of the institution for creating such facility, as it utilizes CSR funds. Some of the sectors having significant job potential for IT competent students are – automobile, agriculture, IT, ITeS, finance, marketing, BPM, etc. He further said NASSCOM will collaborate with higher education institutions in training students, developing faculty and capacity building. Jobs at various levels along with curricula have been defined by NASSCOM. The curriculum designed by NASSCOM is based on the market demands. The success rate of students trained by NASSCOM in getting jobs at various levels is significantly high, he added. A good interaction between the speaker and the audience took place regarding picking up initiatives of NASSCOM.

Recommendations: Institutions in Higher Education prepare curricula so as to strengthen soft

skills and technical skills among students. Institutions in Higher Education collaborate with NASSCOM for training their

faculty and students.

Session III: Information and Communication Technology in Outcome Based Education

Key Speaker: Professor D. H. Rao, Dean, Skill Development, Vishveshwarayya Technical University, Belgaum, Karnataka.

Chair Person: Professor A. M. Mahajan, Registrar, North Maharashtgra University, Jalgaon, Maharashtra.

The Key Speaker, Professor D. H. Rao talked about outcome-based education with the help of information and communication technology. He discussed weaknesses of present education system by considering two models. The first model was the input-output education system, which he explained on the basis of input of teachers and their involvement in the knowledge transformation. The outcome of such a system will be the eligible graduates in all faculties, including engineering. This input-output education system has well defined curriculum, but fails to meet the application based requirement of industrial sector. Therefore, only very few students meet the employability requirement. The next model he explained was the outcome-based education. In this outcome-based education, stress must be laid on focussing the objectives of curriculum to enhance employability. Teaching must also require modifications so that knowledge of the present day is to be given rather than good old one. He said that the concept of plagiarism is introduced at the graduation level in other countries while it is known to our students only after post-graduation. He also stressed that graduating attributes should be taken into account while designing the curriculum. He also opined that outcome-based education is the bridge between the teacher-centric teaching and student-centric teaching, which could be a solution to the present day problems faced by students.

He also discussed holistic aspects of present day education with fundamental principles like communicative skills, technology competency, sustainability and cost effectiveness, professional and ethical responsibility, teamwork and having multi skill capabilities. He also touched upon ERRC concept which can be expanded as Eliminate, Reduce, Raise and Create. Eliminating and reducing dependence on ‘typical’ text book in present day education system is an example.

At the end he explained the Lower thinking skills (LOTs) and higher thinking skills (HOTs) principle and Bloom taxonomy of cognitive skills.

The talk was concluded with remarks by the Chairman, Prof. Mahajan.

Session IV: ICT based Futuristic Technology and Potential Role of India in Horizon 2020

Key Speaker: Mahesh D. Kulkarni, Associate Director & HOD, GIST, WDG, C-DAC, Pune, Country Manager – W3C India

Chair Person: Dr. S. L. Sony, Faculty Coordinator, MNIT, Jaipur

Mr. Mahesh Kulkarni being introduced by Dr. S. L. Sony

Mr Kulkarni elaborated that Information Communications and technology plays an important role in overall growth of the Nation, especially its economic growth. Use and penetration of ICT also make the industry more competitive with increased global reach. ICT promises to make life of common man easy and educative. In today’s world, though the basic requirements viz. food (including water), clothing and shelter are utmost important, communications, healthcare, security, education also are now becoming equally important and necessary.

He gave a detailed account of global perspectives in ICT. Having commended Technology Vision 2020 in the 1990s to catapult India into the league of developed countries, Technology Information, Forecasting & Assessment Council (TIFAC) has now geared-up itself to deliver Technology Vision 2035 for India.  TIFAC has brought a vision 2020 document in the year 1990 and now looking forward for vision 2035 document. The vision statement emerged

as Paperless activities and services in every form by 2035; No physical computer in 2035, all would be virtual. Towards evolving this document, a mammoth visioning exercise has been taken up to envision the technologies that would be required to take on the scenario in 2035.

To be rooted in the people’s aspirations/ perception about India in 2035 and the technologies that will enable their realization, exercise is being done through interaction with stake-holders, brainstorming meetings at regional level, group meetings with experts, thematic questionnaires and theme-based interactive sessions with young students, faculty and technocrats, etc. In order to get comprehensive insights into deep future, Advisory Committees comprising of expert groups have been formed to cover the 12 thematic areas

1. Educational Technologies2. Energy Technologies 3. Environment 4. Food and Agriculture 5. Global challenge issues6. Habitat7. Information & Communication Technologies 8. Infrastructure 9. Materials & Manufacturing Technologies 10. Medical science & Health Care 11. Transportation12. Water Technologies

The Committees are mandated to oversee preparation of reports for respective sectors. An apex body comprising of the social scientists, economists, S&T leaders and Chairpersons of Advisory Committees will guide in synthesis of Technology Vision 2035 from scenarios in the Reports from all the sectors put together.

Mr. Kulkarni informed that the draft vision 2035 document is proposed to be put in public domain for inviting suggestions before it is formally released.

Recommendations:

(i) The Higher Education paradigm should take a note of the latest developments in ICT and adapt them suitably for the benefit of digital learners.

(ii) ICT is essentially an interdisciplinary kind of research and development work that needs to be nurtured by the researchers in the institutes of higher learning.

Valedictory Function

The valedictory function was chaired by Professor Furqan Qamar, Secretary General of AIU. Vice-Chancellor of Shivaji University Professor Devanand Shinde, Director Board of Colleges and University Development Principal D. R. More and Shri Sampson David, Joint Secretary, AIU graced the occasion. Principal D. R. More summarized the recommendations, which were followed by presidential remarks by Professor Qamar.