OU VC Inaugurates Modern Digital Studio at EMRC

​Hyderabad: Professor Kumar Molugaram, Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University (OU), inaugurated the newly developed, state-of-the-art Digital Studio at the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC), OU. He cut the ribbon alongside Professor Parikshat Singh Manhas, Director of the Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC), and Dr. Jitendra Kumar Tripathi, Joint Secretary of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
​On this occasion, they unveiled a book titled “Re-envisioning Higher Education in Digital Era… Towards Viksit Bharat 2047”, which comprises selected research papers from a national conference organized by OU EMRC. Copies of the book were distributed to the selected research scholars. Additionally, posters detailing the 11 SWAYAM online courses being offered by CEC-EMRC OU for the July semester were released. The dignitaries also toured the facility, inspected various curriculum modules, and enquired about the pre-production, production, and post-production processes.
​Addressing a gathering of MOOCs coordinators, faculty, researchers, and students at the new studio, OU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kumar Molugaram called upon the teaching community to seize the immense opportunities available in the digital education sector. He suggested utilizing the modern technology introduced by OU EMRC to create high-quality educational content for students. Emphasizing the importance of online education, he stated that the 11 newly launched online courses would be immensely beneficial to all undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students. He stressed the need to create widespread awareness about these courses among students and faculty alike.
​Furthermore, he urged expert faculty from various disciplines to actively participate in developing MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) by securing projects from the CEC. He asserted that MOOCs would go a long way in overcoming the shortage of faculty in educational institutions and play a pivotal role in delivering uniform, high-quality, and consistent education across the country. He noted that the book containing 45 research papers, edited by EMRC Director Raghupathi and Dr. K. Sriram, would be highly useful for both teachers and students. Commending OU EMRC for its excellent performance in recent times, he requested continued cooperation and support from the UGC and CEC.
​Prof. Parikshat Singh Manhas, Director of CEC, New Delhi, praised OU EMRC as one of the top-performing centers among the 20 EMRCs in the country. He emphasized that research in digital education is essential as part of the Outcome-Based Education system. He expressed pride in OU EMRC bringing out a comprehensive book with 45 research papers. Assuring that CEC never compromises on the quality of MOOCs, he promised that priority would be given to OU EMRC in research projects and MOOCs development. He also announced that an international seminar would soon be organized through OU EMRC.
​Dr. Jitendra Kumar Tripathi, Joint Secretary of UGC, appreciated the support extended to OU EMRC by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kumar and the governing body. Stating that funding agencies develop trust only when research centers demonstrate progress, he remarked that OU EMRC has lived up to that trust. He reminded that the UGC is always ready to fund universities and research centers, provided they adhere to regulations and submit comprehensive reports. He announced the sanction of a ₹50 lakh grant for the renovation of the 30-year-old OU EMRC building.
​Earlier, EMRC Director P. Raghupathi presented the progress report and shared that the projects assigned by CEC-UGC were completed within the stipulated time. He expressed his gratitude to OU VC Prof. Kumar Molugaram, CEC Director Prof. Parikshat Singh Manhas, and UGC Joint Secretary Dr. Jitendra Kumar Tripathi for their complete support.
​The event was attended by Registrar Prof. Naresh Reddy, OSD Prof. Jitendra Kumar Nayak, Dean of UGC Affairs Prof. B. Lavanya, and other faculty members.
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