The Open Educational Resources (OER) plays a significant role in the creation of new and innovative knowledge. In addition, the appropriate and effective presentation of OERs is equally important.

This was informed by the Adviser, RUSA, Government of Uttarakhand, M M S Rawat while addressing the  inaugural session of  the short term training programme on ‘Open Educational Resources in Higher Education: Prospects and Challenges’ organised by Faculty Development Centre (FDC), HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal on Tuesday.

The programme was held under the aegis of the Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya national Mission on Teachers and Teaching scheme of Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry. The weeklong event would culminate on December 23, 2019. Speaking on the occasion, K C Pandey of Department of Philosophy, University of Lucknow, said that knowledge is not a personal property and the monopoly of knowledge is beyond the essence of Indian philosophy.

He stressed that knowledge should be available to all. Pandey added that currently, the OERs are in the nascent stage of development and efforts should be made to strengthen its theoretical and practical aspects.

In his presidential address, the officiating Vice Chancellor (VC)  of HNB Garhwal University, S C Bagri elaborated upon the challenges of OERs in the current scenario of higher education. He accentuated upon the organised efforts and appropriate methodology for the promotion of OERs and explained with examples that how the current scenario of higher education can be revolutionised with the use of OERs.

The Director of Faculty Development Centre, Indoo Pandey Khanduri, informed that 34 participants from four states will be trained by 12 resource persons from various educational and research institutions from across the country. She held elaborate discussion on the various aspects of OERs and said that quality contents, internet connectivity, awareness and linguistic skills are the major factors to be focused upon.