Koraput: A Webinar on ‘Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in Higher Education’ was organised at the Central University of Odisha on 12 April 2021. Prof. Kausal Kishore, Dean & Head, School of the Education Central University of South Bihar delivered a lecture as a resource person. Prof. I. Ramabrahmam, Vice-Chancellor of the University inaugurated the webinar and delivered the Inaugural address. He conveyed his best wishes for a successful programme and hoped MOOCs is the right strategy to reach and serve the educational needs of the students.
Prof. Kishore highlighted the key features, benefits and use of the MOOCs in a wider perspective particularly to provide education to the large mass of students cutting across the geographical boundary. He said “a good teacher is always happy to teach a number of students and a number of students are always want to take the benefit of a good teacher. So MOOCs is the right solution for both teachers and students”. He highlighted the advantages and limitations of online courses in comparison with face to face class.
Prof. Sharat Kumar Palita, Dean, School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources delivered the welcome address. He described MOOCs as the present need for alternative education. He advised students to take benefit of the MOOCs available in the SWAYAM platform.
Prof. P. Durgaprasad, Visiting Professor of Sociology moderated the webinar and highlighted different platform of MOOCs like Coursera and Swayam and many more. Dr. Ram Shankar, Controller of Examinations and organiser of the programme introduced the Guests of the webinar. Dr. Kakoli Banerjee, Asst. Professor of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources and the Coordinator of MOOCs, CUO elaborated the steps taken by different departments of the University in producing online courses for MOOCs. She extended the vote of thanks. Large numbers of faculty members participated and interacted on the Webinar. Dr. Phagunath Bhoi, Public Relations Officer was also present on the programme.
