The IQAC and NEP/CUET/NCTE CELL of Kiang Nangbah Government College, Jowai in collaboration with SWAYAM MOOCs, NEHU, Shillong organised a One Day Workshop on the “Implementation of SWAYAM Courses” on the 23rd April 2024 in the college Multipurpose Hall.
The programme which was chaired by Dr. (Mrs) S. Kharbhih, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Kiang Nangbah Government College, was organised with the aim to sensitise and utilise the SWAYAM MOOCs platform developed by the Ministry of Education, India and NPTEL in higher educational institution under East and West Jaintia Hills Region.
The programme started with the registration of participants who are the teaching faculty members from across the different colleges within East and West Jaintia Hills including Kiang Nangbah Government College, Jowai, Thomas Jones College, Jowai, Shangpung College, Shangpung, Amwi College, Jowai, Jaintia Eastern College, Khliehriat, Nongtalang College, Nongtalang, Don Bosco College, Byndihati and Ummulong Presbyterian College, Ummulong.
The programme formally began with a felicitation of the esteemed guests Prof. Shailendra K. Singh, MOOCs Chairman, NEHU and Dr. (Mrs) Quendarisa Kharbuli, SWAYAM Co-Ordinator NEHU, Shillong who are the Resource Persons at the workshop.
The programme started with the welcome speech by the chairperson followed by the Inaugural Address by Dr J.P. Sharma, IQAC Coordinator, KNGC where he highlighted on enhancing the quality of education through the digitalisation of education where quality education can be provided free of cost to all the students. He stated that the purpose of organising such a workshop was to reach the gap between the conventional system of education and modern digital learning environment offering the learner facilities to study anytime and anywhere. He also mentioned that the implementation of SWAYAM MOOCs in and across East and West Jaintia Hills region post a great promise to the students’ community of the region where diverse array of courses from different discipline is offered which empower the students to explore new subjects, acquire new skills and enhance employability. Furthermore, it provides opportunity for educators to incorporate innovative teaching methods and resources into pedagogical practices fostering a more engaging and interactive learning environment. He also encouraged the participants to actively engage in the programme and embrace the opportunity to reimage education, to innovate and create a bright future for the youth of the region. He concluding his speech by expressing his gratitude to all the members present in the workshop for their commitment
in enhancing the quality of higher education in the region where together as a team, a difference can be made that will pave the way for a more inclusive, accessible and equitable system of education.
The Moderator of the programme Dr. B. R. Suchiang, Assistant Professor, Department of Botony, highlighted on the pivot role and implementation of MOOCs under the SWAYAM platform and the initiative taken by the college with regard to the awareness of MOOCs and ABC programmes to update the teachers in the usage of digital technologies in teaching and in strengthening classroom teaching. He asserted that even with so many technical issues related to the devices and internet connectivity the teachers play a very important role in balancing the approaches so as no students will be left behind whereby teachers have to be more pragmatic and take best solution for the betterment of the students. He also mentioned that organising such programmes is needed in changing the attitude of the teachers towards teaching and imparted themselves with contemporary knowledge and skills which as a result the educational process will continue without disruption for the benefit of the students and such programme is also necessary for hand holding the faculty members in the different colleges.
The workshop was designed to facilitate discussion, share insights, and collaborate strategies to effectively integrate SWAYAM MOOCs courses into college curriculum. Through the resource persons Prof. Shailendra K Singh, MOOCs Chairman, NEHU and Dr. (Mrs) Quendarisa Kharbuli, SWAYAM Co-Ordinator NEHU, Shillong, the esteemed experts shared their experiences and best practices ensuring a seemless and successful implementation of courses under SWAYAM.
Professor Singh started his session with an appreciating note regarding the efforts made by the college in taking the lead in organising such a special workshop and that KNGC, Jowai is the first college in Meghalaya to take initiative in organising such a programme. Professor Singh talked about the NEP 2020 and the three Mantras of NEP that is, firstly India should be transformed as a global knowledge hub thereby restoring its glory as a viswa guru and lastly it should be promoted as a super power in the field of technology. He also shared the three mantras of MOOCs, that is, the adoption / implementation, development and promotion. Professor Singh also highlighted on the two types of courses under NEHU regulation that is the Credit and Non-credit courses under NEP. He also stressed on the structure of the different post and role of SWAYAM Co-Ordinator and Mentor as a guide for the institution and particularly for the students.
Dr. (Mrs) Quendarisa Kharbuli elaborated on the importance of digital initiatives at the institutional level and the benefits of both teacher and students from such initiatives. She also highlighted the need for SWAYAM MOOCs for the students and stressed on the four quadrants. Furthermore, she enlightened the participants with the different courses available not only for the students but also for the teachers and the credit related to the courses and the beneficials of such credits. Under NEHU, SWAYAM MOOCs also offers online course twice a year. One is the Summer Semester
aligned with Odd Semester and the other one is the Winter Semester which is aligned with the Even Semester. She also shared her in-depth knowledge on the different core and elective papers and the advantages and benefits of choosing or selecting the different elective papers and guided the participants on the pros and cons of selecting a particular course and the role of the parent institution in the decision of courses opted. She also highlighted on the different courses and programmes offered by different platforms under different institutions, and their relevance toward students belonging to different disciplines. A demo lecture was also demonstrated by her to enable the participants to have clear information about the process of online learning. Finally, she ended her session with an encouraging message for all the participants to not only appeal to the students but they themselves should also register and join the SWAYAM MOOCs.
At the end of the session, the participants engaged in discussions and interactions by sharing their views and clarifying their doubts. The workshop ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. S. Nongkhlaw, Associate Professor, Education Department KNGC Jowai and the participants were awarded with a certificate for their participation in the workshop.
Prepared by: –
Smt. Emly L. Tariang Smt. Golda Mearies Pala
Assistant Professor, Department of Education Lecturer, Department of English
Kiang Nangbah Government College, Jowai Kiang Nangbah Government College, Jowai