The Hindu Business Line : Move to set up distance learning centres of IIITs in AP

THE Andhra Pradesh Government is actively considering the proposal to establish Distance Education Campuses of International Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) in different parts of the State.

Campuses would be opened in Vijayawada, Warangal, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati and a proposal to this effect was placed before the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, by Prof Raj Reddy of Carnegie Mellon University, USA.

These proposals are likely to take a final shape by January 2006 and the construction would be over by 2010. These centres would come up with private-public partnerships.

The opening of more such learning centres would enable to expand the reach of higher education to about five per cent of the State's population. What is now available for urbanites would be offered to others through these centres.

According to a statement, the Chief Minister opined that most of the rural students are unable to make their way into Indian Institutes of Technology and International Institute of Information Technology due to lack of basic skills necessary for succeeding in the entrance exams.

It is not an issue of lack of intelligence but relates to shortage of qualified teachers and learning facilities. Investments needed for quality education are not adequate.

Soft skills like language, communication, social and cultural skills and problem solving approach will help build confidence.

The State Government is contemplating world-class educational facilities in four major locations to cater to the top one per cent of the students. A cubicle and a computer for every student with a wireless and fibre connectivity to each cubicle would be provided.

The selection of students would be made for 20 per cent in all engineering colleges. Of these, only those students who successfully complete the intensive two-month IT workshop would be eligible to join the IIIT Distance Campuses.

This process will also help in selection of additional students based on the results at IT Workshop performance. The proposal is also to provide face-to-face instruction to the students by mentors at the distance campus by the visiting guest faculty members.

The teaching would also be by adopting synchronous and asynchronous distance learning using video streaming technologies. It is expected that the annual intake at each campus would be around 3,000 to 4,000 students working out to around 12,000 to 16,000 by year 2010.

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