The Guru Nanak Dev University and the Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC), inter-university centre of the UGC, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for undertaking various activities aimed at addressing the needs of higher education and appropriate use of technology to increase the access of educational content for both undergraduate and postgraduate education. GNDU Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Jaspal Singh Sandhu and Director, CEC, Prof JB Nadda and Prof. Hardeep Singh, Dean Academic Affairs signed the MoU. With this, the varsity will be an affiliate member of the consortium, said a statement from the university.This pact allows GNDU to conduct its recently launched UGC entitled/approved Online and ODL courses and upgrading the University library and conduct workshops to train GNDU faculty member for development of the online content and MOOC courses, as an effort to improve the educational progress of students in the respective departments. Through this MoU, it is envisioned that a framework of cooperation shall be developed between the parties towards development of multimedia educational content and subsequently integrating it in teaching and learning practices at higher education level” said Prof Sandhu, Vice-Chancellor of the varsity.The Director, CEC, through his short film and presentation, explained how in the Covid times, the importance of online teaching had been realised the world over. The university along with the CEC could take the benefit of this opportunity not only in using various online platforms like Swayam Prabha, an initiative of the HRD Ministry, to provide 32 high-quality educational channels through direct to home and MOOCs, but also can help the institution to strengthen financially.
Dr. K. S. Kahlon, Registrar, GNDU, also gave an overview of the university and various programs offered by the University. He futher added that the Online Courses started by the Guru Nanak Dev University to promote the Punjabi Language and Culture for the Punjabi Diaspora settled abroad have already been inaugurated virtually on 3rd May 2021 by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh. Prof. Bedi , Coordinator said that CEC is the nodal agency at National Level, to address the educational needs of the country through the use of various media of communication and one of the objectives of the CEC is of production of educational programmes specially video, audio and related support material and also dissemination of educational programmes through both broadcast and non broadcast mode.Dr. Subheet Kumar Jain, Director (Directorate of Open and Distance Learning, and Online Studies) said the under the dynamic leadership of worthy Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu, the University has got the approval for offering courses in Online mode for the Punjabi Diaspora through its newly established Directorate of Online Studies. Dr. Jain further informed that these courses are started by keeping in view the demand of Punjabi Diaspora settled outside Punjab especially in foreign countries.Dr. Preet Mohinder Singh Bedi, Coordinator University Industry linkage Programme at GNDU had facilitated this MoU event and concluded the event with a hope that GNDU Amritsar and Consortium for Higher Education can forge close times in multidisciplinary areas.