The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Sky is the limit for tele-education

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Sky is the limit for tele-education

Staff Reporter

New interactive channel launched by Governor T.N. Chaturvedi

FOR GREATER INTERACTION: Governor T.N. Chaturvedi (second from right) launching the VSAT interactive channel in Bangalore on Monday. Others seen are (from left) G. Madhavan Nair, ISRO Chairman, A. Bhaskaranarayana, Director, SATCOM, ISRO, and K. Bala veera Reddy, Vice-Chancellor of VTU. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

Bangalore: The EDUSAT Network of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) on Monday got another channel, VSAT, a state-of-the-art interactive audio-video channel. The new channel was launched by Governor T.N. Chaturvedi.

Of the 121 engineering colleges, a batch of 30 was selected for the first phase of the project. The principals of these 30 colleges signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with VTU and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The main objective of the MoU is to ensure that these colleges completely utilise VTU-EDUSAT network.

Colleges affiliated to VTU are presently using DTH (Direct To Home) Channel. VTU is transmitting live sessions from its studio at the Directorate of State Educational Research and Training campus. With the launch of VSAT channel, VTU has become the only university in the country that has two channels for training and educational purposes.

Speaking after the launch here, G. Madhavan Nair, chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space, said that the whole system of EDUSAT has been fine-tuned. "Tele-education is very effective and has a lot of potential since there is a dearth of quality teachers. However, it is not a substitute, it is just a supplement."

Mr. Nair said that tele-education had proved to be a success in Haryana and Kerala. "Today, as many as 20,000 schools are connected. In Kerala, every district is connected to the capital and teacher training is conducted every week," he said.

He also said that the audio-visual medium can be very effectively used for tele-education and tele-medicine, adult education, skill development of artistes and e-governance.

"The satellite medium can do wonders. It helps us reach every nook and corner of the country. The medium should be utilised to its fullest capacity."

Later, speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of the event, Mr. Nair said that ISRO was gearing up for the launch of INSAT 4CR. "The satellite will be launched sometime this September. We (ISRO) are also building satellites for `Chandrayaan Mission'. This year, ISRO will have two commercial launches and also launch CARTOSAT," he added.

T.N. Chaturvedi, who launched the new channel, said that 30 selected colleges should make complete use of VSAT network by enabling its students and teachers to participate in various programmes that will be transmitted under VTU-EDUSAT programmes. "The launch of the new channel is an unfolding of new possibilities. I understand that with the new channel, more interaction is possible. I hope that the facility is provided to all colleges with an aim to maximise the potential of the country."

After the launch, the Governor interacted with the faculty of CMR Institute of Technology, Bangalore; NMAN Institute of Technology, Nitte; KVG College of Engineering, Sullia; and BNM Institute of Technology, Bangalore.

K. Balaveera Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, VTU, said that till date, VTU has transmitted 2,121 live sessions of one hour each. It was not only transmitting regular syllabus-oriented live video lessons from its studio but also transmitting varied programmes such as full-semester and supplementary classes, technology specific classes, exam revision service and soft skill classes.

"VTU is the only university in the country that has two channels — a DTH based and another VSAT based. The ultimate objective is to take technical education to homes. In another six months, the VSAT channel will be provided to all colleges. We are also waiting for ISRO to launch the third channel that will be used for e-governance and online examinations," he said.

A. Bhaskaranarayana, Director, SATCOM, ISRO, said the interactive VSAT channel will help enhance quality of education. He spoke about the technical aspects of the channel.

Dr. Reddy was felicitated by the Governor, who in turn was honoured by the VTU staff with a portrait of him.

M.S. Shivakumar, Registrar, VTU, welcomed the gathering. V.K. Atre, former adviser to Defence Minister; H.P. Khincha, Vice-Chancellor designate, VTU; G.L. Shekar, Special Officer, e-Learning Centre, VTU; principals of the 30 selected colleges and members of the Academic Council were present.

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