The Director of JB Institute of Technology (JBIT), Dehradun, Sandeep Singhal feels that the prevailing lockdown in the country that has been enforced by the government to contain the infection of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has given a unique opportunity to the students and teachers to adapt to the new teaching and learning platforms made available by the technology.

Talking to The Pioneer, Singhal said that it is heartening that both teachers and students have taken up the challenge and have nicely adapted to the changes. “Technology today provides many platforms of online learning and teaching. The lockdown has actually proved to be a blessing in disguise as it has accelerated the change which was inevitable. We in our institute were apprehensive how the teachers would adapt to the technology but they have accepted it rather well.  Interestingly, the attendance in the online classrooms has shown a marked improvement. The attendance which in real classroom was 60-65 per cent has become in excess of 90 per cent in the online classrooms. The students are also positive for these classes as they can attend them from comfort of their homes. As the lecture given by the teacher can get saved, the students have the luxury of going through it again,’’ he said. On the limitation of online classrooms, Singhal said that for practical classes the laboratory is still the best place for students even though virtual labs are also available for them. Further the different students have different apprehensive capabilities and it applies to the usage of online learning platforms as well, he added. When asked about the negative effect on employment generation by the pandemic, Singhal said, “The industry has so far shown a positive attitude. The placement officer of our institute informed me that so far not even a single company has cancelled its offer made to the student. The industry has not yet gone on the back foot which is a good sign.’’

He however added that the students should increase their skill sets to become more competent for needs of the industry. “The students seem to have understood the need to augment their skills so as to become fit for the market. In our pre-placement classes, the attendance has become almost 100 percent which proves that the students have become more serious,’’ he quipped.

Singhal opined that India due to its cheap labour and technology stands to gain from the negative sentiment for China which prevails in the world today in the wake of its role in spread of the pandemic.  He said that the Indian Industry should rise to the occasion and make necessary changes. He added that the academic and training institutes should also grab the opportunity to provide the competent manpower to the Industry and said that the practical aspects should get more emphasis in the institutes.

The director of the JBIT said that even after lifting of the lockdown, the norms of social distancing to prevent the contagion would persist and everyone should follow them.

 “We at JBIT have decided to remodel our existing classrooms and reduce the number of students per class from existing 60 to 20-25.

 We have spare classrooms available for it. Further we would redraft our time tables and have decided to make changes in the mess routine in hostels so that the social distancing is observed,’’ he said.

On the financial constraints faced by the institute due to prevailing lockdown, Singhal said that though there is some pressure but things are being managed by the reserve fund. “We are making our salary payments and other commitments on time and have even given advance to class IV staff,’’ he claimed. Singhal added that the institute has donated Rs 2.51 lakh to the Chief Minister’s relief fund and has been providing food packets to the poor with the help of local police.

About the Institute

Set up in the year 2009 in Dehradun, the JBIT has made its appearance among premier engineering colleges of Uttarakhand within a short span of time. Located in serene surroundings of Himalayan foothills, the institute officers courses in technology, applied sciences and pharmacy to the students.