Pursuing skill-based courses is no more a hassle for youths unable to mark physical presence in the universities. the Jharkhand Rai University (JRU) has launched Jharkhand MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), one of its kind learning portal in the State, aiming to provide free access to skill-based quality education for all.
With this initiative, the university will offer 12 courses, namely, commercial Vegetable Production, laptop Repair, Mobile Phone Repair, Printer Repair, Aptitude Skilling, Advertising, Branding, Human Resource Management, Silk Farming and Processing, Entrepreneurship Development, Child Nutrition and Android Development.
“The idea behind this is to create more opportunities for aspiring students across the state by making education accessible and cost effective. Another advantage is that online course material can be accessed from anywhere that is convenient to the students. With learning resources like video lectures, slideshows and PowerPoint presentation available on the website, students can now have access to a mix of classroom, library and laboratory all rolled into integrated modules which also respects an individual student’s pace of learning,” JRU vice chancellor (VC) Savita Sengar said during the launching ceremony in the state capital on Thursday.
These courses will be totally free of cost for one lakh students of Jharkhand. Students from elsewhere can also have free access to MOOCs courses but will have to pay a nominal fee if they wish to take exams and get a certificate, diploma or degree.
Chief Guest of the occasion, Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) chairperson Anand Bhushan felt the university should spread awareness on the programme in schools and colleges. He requested the university advisor Vinay Rai and Savita Sengar to involve schools under the council where vocational subjects are taught. Jharkhand MOOCs is in line with centre’s Indian MOOCs ‘Swayam’ portal.
In order to reach maximum number of students, JRU will open 300 learning hubs equipped with Wi-Fi computer work stations, printers, scanners, video conferencing facility, video lectures along with tutors for helping out the self-learners to enroll and study for various online learning options across the state in next five years.
JRU will also be offering a uniquely designed course-BA (Skill Studies). “We have introduced BA (Skill Studies) to perpetuate the centuries old legacy and rich traditions of our artisans through seamless transfer of precision craftsmanship and creative skills by linking them employability,” VC Sengar said.
JRU was established in 2012. It started working on its mission of reaching out to the socio-economically disadvantaged children. As many as 1000 students have been selected for its various courses after counseling session held in Kharsawan and Chaibasa in September and October.
It is now working on organizing similar counseling sessions in early 2015 at Dumka, Sahebganj and Rajmahal areas in Santhal Parganas as the region has the lowest literacy rate in the state. Highlighting the relevance of state’s culture, Vinay Rai said the university has plans of providing some of its courses in local dialects.