Vineet Gupta Ashoka University Founder talks about post-covid challenges for universities in India

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted higher education institutions worldwide, and Indian universities are no exception. Universities have been forced to adapt to a new reality: online learning was the norm, and social distancing was essential. This new reality has created many challenges that require innovative approaches and measures to impart quality education. “The pandemic significantly impacted education, causing challenges for students, faculty and staff alike. Institutions and stakeholders are working hard to adapt and address these challenges,” asserts Vineet Gupta Ashoka University Founder. 

Transition to Online Learning:

The significant change witnessed in the post-pandemic world is the advent of the online teaching-learning process. The sudden transition to it during the pandemic created substantial challenges for Indian institutions, like significant investment in technology and training. Universities had to alter their teaching methodologies to provide quality education via virtual platforms. In regions with limited access to quality colleges, online education has shown tremendous promise, but the lack of internet access in remote and rural areas is still a challenge. Even on the college front, they had to align a portion of their budget for online digital infrastructure, leading to lesser availability for other activities, including academic activities.

While online platforms serve as a supportive and alternative mode of education, they can’t replace physical colleges. Most students still prefer the physical medium as a primary mode of learning, with some flexibility and convenience offered by the online medium for projects, test submissions etc. Traditional classrooms are here to stay, complemented by the ongoing presence of online learning options. However, in test preparation (GRE, GMAT, CUET, JEE, NEET etc.), hybrid and online medium seems to have got good traction. Most test preparation companies offer programs in Physical, Hybrid (Online plus Live classes) and pure online modes.

As corroborated by Gupta, “Online test preparation courses, such as those for GRE and GMAT, have gained popularity due to their flexibility and shorter duration of 3-6 months. Many students prefer learning from the comfort of their homes, driving the increased adoption of online platforms.” “However,” he states, “college students generally value the physical presence of a traditional classroom setting. They seek one-on-one interaction with faculty and require additional support. In this context, online learning is a supportive tool for organized teaching and will continue to do so.”

Raising Student Concerns:

Vineet Gupta Ashoka University Founder says, “In my experience, I have observed that post-pandemic, students’ attention spans appear to have decreased noticeably, making it challenging to concentrate during 40-minute classes. It seems that students entering college are exhibiting lower intellectual and emotional maturity levels, possibly due to the significant disruption in their education over the past two years.”

The pandemic has created a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety for students. They spent more time at home and less socializing with friends and classmates, often leading to social isolation and a general lack of motivation. The pandemic has also increased screen time for them, leading to problems such as eye strain, obesity and sleep deprivation. All these issues have made it difficult for students to keep up with their regular schoolwork, decreasing the overall passing out percentage. There is a growing need for one-on-one interaction with faculty and additional support. “Despite the challenges, classrooms remain an essential part of education as students value the socialization and campus experience they provide,” adds Vineet Gupta Ashoka University Founder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFdSxd6lhDo&t=3s

Adapting situation for institutions and faculty:

Institutions must navigate the shift to hybrid learning, incorporating in-person and online components effectively. The pandemic’s disruptions may have resulted in learning gaps among students, requiring additional support and resources to bridge those gaps. They must enhance their technological infrastructure and digital tools to facilitate online learning, collaboration and communication.

Faculty may need training and support to navigate new teaching methodologies and technologies in the post-pandemic era. With the challenges of remote and hybrid learning, institutions and faculty must find innovative ways to keep students engaged and motivated in their studies.

“Institutions are currently in the process of rebuilding after the pandemic. Adjusting to offline work again has challenged the staff, but we are taking steps to restore systems and operations. The pandemic has impacted everyone, depriving them of various resources and opportunities. Recruitment of faculty and other activities experienced a pause, and now the world is slowly reconnecting. We are starting to see some progress in terms of institutional growth getting back on track,” shares Vineet Gupta of Ashoka University.