Technology is here to stay and would be playing a major role but age-old traits such as mindfulness, empathy, integrity, truthfulness and kindheartedness need to also be inculcated in the universities was the common thought that panelists exhorted throughout the second day of the Higher Education Innovation Conclave underway organized by APAC News Network. Dr RS Bawa, Pro Chancellor, Chandigarh University said, “We defined core values, human dignity, empathy and giving.” Seconding the sentiment, Dr Rupa Vasudevan, Chancellor, BEST Innovation University added, “We need to touch the lives of students and add social and economic value.”
Dr RS Bawa while emphasizing the need for greater human role said, “”What will be the role in optimizing things. Human role will be in information security and ensure use of technology is in the interest of people and application of AI. Where to stop will be decided by humans.”
The second day of the conclave focused on upskilling, employability, emerging skills, future of work, innovation in admission, enrolment, assessment & accreditation in the first half. “Counseling is different from sales. A human touch is needed while counseling students.” Devinder Narain, Director – Corporate Relations, Shobhit University. “It is necessary to understand marketing automation in its totality. After e-mail, e-mail nurturing is important. Personalise communication,” said Dr Sandeep Pachpande, Chairman, ASM Group of Institutes to all marketers.
Going a step ahead, Prof Aditya Mohan Jadhav, Chairman – Branding & PR, TAPMI, Manipal suggested that institutes record cold calls so that it would help in the long run as the data would help take informed decisions. “Data security is important but more important issue is how to deal with data,” said Devinder Narain, Director – Corporate Relations, Shobhit University.
Going a step ahead, Prof Aditya Mohan Jadhav, Chairman – Branding & PR, TAPMI, Manipal suggested that institutes record cold calls so that it would help in the long run as the data would help take informed decisions. “Data security is important but more important issue is how to deal with data,” said Devinder Narain, Director – Corporate Relations, Shobhit University.aOn the issue of using new age technologies in higher education, Dr Siddharth Jabade, Vice Chancellor, Vishwakarma University said that the university started own learning platform and hired instructional designers and developed online courses. The students and faculty can work on problems of industry at the centre in the campus and the problems are not specific to a subject.” Rajasree M S, Vice Chancellor, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Kerala suggested that the entire community in the campus play a role in adaption to technology.”
“Universities are paying lakhs to source journals. One needs to go for open access. All should join hands and open online access to learning,” said Prof (Dr.) Tabrez Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, GD Goenka University and Dr Mohammed Khursheed Akhtar, Senior Advisor, King Abdulaziz University wants universities to allocate funds for online classes, skilled manpower, select good vendors and be prepared to avoid Covid-19.”
