Five days’ Workshop on Development, Delivery & Assessment of Online Courses organized by UGC Human Resource Development Centre in collaboration with  Dept of Home Science Commences at University of Jammu. Dr. Archana Thakur, Joint Secretary, UGC, who also heads the All India HRDC administration in UGC in her address praised the University of Jammu for its dynamic approach and progressive vision under the leadership of Prof Manoj K Dhar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu in achieving many laurels and quality indicators. She also complimented UGC HRDC Jammu University for being vibrant institution and for performing its duties as Centre for teacher training and knowledge enhancement i the most satisfying professional manner. She appreciated the HRDC for their proactive approach especially during the present testing times and termed the University and HRDC as among there best in the Country. She discussed the initiatives of Government of India and UGC in promoting the SWAYAM MOOCS. She lauded the UGC HRDC University of Jammu, and its role in Faculty Development, even during the COVID Lock down. She said that to widen access to higher education and to bring down the cost by using technological advances Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) emerged as viable model for imparting conventional and online education. Indian version of MOOC launched on an indigenous platform known as Study Web of Active Learning by Young and Aspiring Minds-SWAYAM, because a need was felt to develop synergy between anytime-anywhere e learning and traditional classroom-based chalk and talk method. SWAYAM was initiated by Government of India to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy: Access, Equity and Quality. The Notification for launch of UGC Credit Framework for Online Learning through SWAYAM was Issued on 19th July 2016. It is an IT platform developed and made functional by the MHRD, GOI for purpose of offering MOOCs. Courses are available from 9th Class to PG, with Nine National coordinators endowed with responsibilities to take care of different courses. The philosophy behind launching of SWAYAM was to reach the unreached: Anywhere, Anytime, Anyone; and to equip the faculty and students with skills to work online, an initiative that was a boon during the COVID 19 lockdown. She informed the participants that Hon'ble Prime Minister had launched key initiatives, towards realization of the goals of NEP 2020, on 29th of July 2021. One of the major initiatives announced by Hon'ble PM is the "Guidelines for Multiple Entry and Exit in Academic Programmes offered in Higher Education institutions". The proposed multiple entry and exit system is built on imaginative and flexible curricular structures facilitating students to choose their learning trajectory and programmes. SWAYAM will play an important role in these initiatives. Hence, she again lauded the role of UGC HRDC in organizing this timely and very relevant program on Development, Delivery and Assessment of SWAYAM MOOCS. SWAYAM notifies the online courses twice every year to the Registrars of Institutions. Up to 40% of the total courses being offered in a particular program in a Semester, can be earned through SWAYAM. Transfer of Credits of such students who are enrolled as regular/part-time students, of any educational institution in India, possible. In his address, Prof Manoj K Dhar, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, talked about the introduction of HRDC in the Jammu University. He said that he had seen phenomenal growth in the HRDC department and organized many programmes for the benefit of teachers since inception. He informed the audience those funds have been sanctioned for the new HRDC building, which will be fully equipped with smart classrooms, computer lab etc, which will greatly benefit the participants. In the past two years due to COVID-19, courses on SWAYAM portal have emerged as a boon for those unreached. He appreciated the faculty members for adopting this new system of online teaching very rapidly. At the University of Jammu, SWAYAM MOOC’s have been launched very successfully. He was hopeful that in near future the University will provide facilities for developing delivery and assessment of various online courses. He also mentioned that a Media Center has been developed recently, and one of its functions would be the development of   e-content. He stressed that the workshop is not only for the promotion of SWAYAM MOOC’s also for but receiving more proposals from the faculty members for the development of the MOOC’s. He also shared that the Centre for Media Studies that comprise of Community Radio Station, Digital Lab, and Oral History Cell etc. would be functioning very soon. He further highlighted that many areas in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir are very remote and far flung, and the students residing in these areas will be able to benefit from these courses. He mentioned that the University of Jammu is committed to providing these facilities to students not only to gain knowledge but also to have benefits in their future. He also stressed upon the three key elements of New Education Policy which are Access, Equity and Quality, mentioning that the University of Jammu is equally aware and sensitive to the needs of various population groups and is providing education to them in terms of equity and quality. He admitted that there will be more focus on developing quality MOOCs. He apprised the participants that the booklet on SWAYAM MOOC’s that has been developed by Prof. Neeru Sharma UGC SWAYAM Coordinator and her team to overcome various problems and challenges in the implementation of MOOC’s in the University.

Earlier, Prof Samridhi Arora, Co-Coordinator of the course and UGC SWAYAM Mentor welcomed the Guests and thanked Them for their participation and encouragement. Ranjeet Kalra, Officiating Director UGC HRDC, delivered a formal Welcome Address and praised the UGC, University of Jammu and Department of Home Science for all the effort and coordination and support for UGC HRDC. The Course Coordinator, Prof. Neeru Sharma, in her address laid out the objectives and scope of the workshop and the five days program was shared with all present online. More than 30 teachers have enrolled for the workshop.Ms Kanhan Sharma, Scholar Deptt of Home Science, was the rapporteur.