Mumbai: Governor Koshyari attends 52nd Foundation Day of IDOL; Asks IDOL to strive to become Ideal institution. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari presided over and attends the 52nd Foundation Day of the Institute of Distance and Online Learning (IDOL) of the University of Mumbai at the University’s Vidyanagari Campus in Mumbai on Thursday (24 Mar)
Stating that distance education is more needed today for universalization of education as well as increase in the number of students pursuing higher education, Governor and Chancellor Bhagat Singh Koshyari said that if the university enhances the quality of its distance and open education, it will produce many expert students from ‘Idol’. The Governor appealed to Idol to strive to become an ideal institution in the field of distance and open education.
The Governor was speaking at a function organized on Thursday (Dec. 24) at Feroze Shah Mehta Bhavan Vidyanagari Mumbai on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the Institute of Distance and Open Studies (Idol) of the University of Mumbai. Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University Suhas Pednekar, Vice Chancellor Ravindra Kulkarni, Director of Idol Prakash Mahanwar, Deputy Director Madhura Kulkarni, Convener Mandar Bhanushe, Head of Department and members of the Board of Authority of the University were present on this occasion.
Noting that the teaching and learning process has undergone tremendous changes from the correspondence curriculum to today’s distance and open learning system, the Governor said that in the age of Kovid infection, online education has created confidence among the students that they can stay away from colleges. The governor said that the Kovid infection was a challenge as well as an opportunity for online education.
The Governor said that the distance learning course could benefit actors, vocational and higher education students and the government’s objective of increasing gross enrollment could be achieved.
Concept of exam will change: Suhas Pednekar
Vice Chancellor Suhas Pednekar said that the role of innovation and technology in teaching would be important in the future due to the reduction in covid infection. He said that in future, there will be an emphasis on continuous evaluation of students by changing the concept of examinations. He said that the distance education institute would function as an autonomous institution in the near future.
Mentioning that it is proposed to start 13 new courses through Idol, the Vice-Chancellor Ravindra Kulkarni said that while expanding education, Idol will ensure that education will be affordable and quality.
The distance and open education department started with 845 students in 1971 and today 80,000 students are studying through it, said Prakash Mahanwar, Director, Idol. He expressed confidence that distance and open education is affordable and equitable and the number of students will go up to one lakh next year.
