‘Future is open and online’

“While delivering the 17th G Ram Reddy Memorial Lecture on the topic ‘Education in the 21st Century — toward virtual universities and technology enabled learning’ held recently in the Capital, Professor DN Reddy, chairman, recruitment and assessment centre, Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defense, stressed upon many facets of the ICT revolution in education in the 21st century... ‘Open and distance education was traditionally accepted as a model and with the innovative use of technology, it is now believed to achieve flexibility in time, space, pace, medium, access and content,’ Professor Reddy, also member of University Grants Commission (UGC), said. He also remarked that the open educational resources, courseware, e-content, learning objects and other e-learning and online applications have revolutionised distance education in a manner never before in the history of education. ‘While the virtual universities hold an all new promise, it is necessary to deliberate on India’s preparedness for this evolving model. Many of the components of this model are linked to the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). India has been on the forefront in meeting the demands of IT global workforce in the recent IT Revolution,’ he said. ‘The adaptation of the rapid advancements in information technology has given it an edge and recognition in the global scenario. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India, has given a huge thrust and priority to education through ICT during the XI Plan period. The National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) is an important initiative from MHRD,’ Reddy added. Professor M Aslam, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, announced that ODL has taken roots in the country and is now well accepted mode for imparting education and training and reaching the unreached with quality educational interventions at affordable cost. Professor D Gopal, chairman of the committee for this lecture referred the founder of this university as the Father of Open Learning in India and recollected the dream of Professor Reddy for using the ICTs as tools for disseminating education to all parts of the country. “Professor Reddy indeed set off a silent movement in education for all of us to sustain and take forward,” he concludes.”