Institutional Distinctiveness

Centrality of Digital Learning

 

Preamble:

A thriving university serves as a melting pot wherein diverse perspectives converge, fuelling innovation, rigorous research, and the widespread sharing of their output. Crucially, it drives the creation and dissemination of knowledge through stimulative teaching, insightful publications, and engaging dialogues. Our conviction is that the inclusive sharing of knowledge is the bedrock of a strong academic ecosystem. The profound words of the great poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore

“Where the mind is without fear;

and the head is held high;

Where knowledge is free;

…..”

truly capture the essence and aim of education. 

 

LJK University (LJKU) distinguishes itself through its dedication to inclusive, innovative, and future-oriented education. A key differentiator is its pioneering digital learning approach, now central to the University's teaching framework. This embodies LJKU's "education beyond boundaries" commitment and its adaptability to evolving global educational demands. As stated above, it has been an endeavour of the University to share knowledge without boundaries, giving free access to those who want to learn.

Leveraging Digital Platforms to Ensure Continuity and Quality of Education

As the COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented disruptions for educational institutions worldwide, LJK University (LJKU) distinguished itself as a national frontrunner in the realm of digital education delivery.
In an impressively brief timeframe of just a few weeks, the university established an extensive network of 23 studios like setup, each fully equipped with advanced recording facilities, enabling faculty members from various academic Schools to the production of high-quality video lectures.
These meticulously crafted lectures were specifically aligned with the prescribed syllabus and thoughtfully designed utilizing digital tools that fostered enhanced student engagement. Notably, they mirrored the high production quality commonly observed on prominent international platforms such as Coursera and edX.  


Widening Access Through Open and Free Learning

A particularly noteworthy and distinguishing decision undertaken by LJK University (LJKU) involved rendering its video content freely and readily accessible on widely used public platforms like YouTube. This significant initiative effectively empowered learners throughout India, with a particular focus on students from underprivileged or rural backgrounds. LJKU successfully dismantled barriers of cost and geography, ensuring that no learner, regardless of the circumstances, was left without valuable learning opportunities.

Strategic Global Collaborations for Enriched Learning

The distinctive approach to digital education at LJK University (LJKU) transcends the creation of internal content, encompassing strategic global collaborations. The University has forged a partnership with Coursera, to provide its students access to over 4,000 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offered by prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, the MIT, Stanford, Yale University.

This impactful partnership has been seamlessly integrated into the University’s overarching academic architecture, allowing students to earn globally recognized certifications, experience international teaching standards, and significantly boost their employability in a competitive global market.

Blended Learning as a Norm, Not an Exception

Even in the period following the acute phase of the pandemic, LJK University (LJKU) has maintained its digital momentum by institutionalising blended learning across its academic programs. Digital tools and online platforms have now become routine and integral features within the University's classrooms, enriching the teaching and learning environment.

This integration has led to a teaching-learning culture that is technologically adept, pedagogically innovative, and responsive to diverse student needs.

Digital Infrastructure and Faculty Empowerment

LJK University (LJKU) has made substantial and strategic investments in both its IT infrastructure and human resources to effectively support its digital education vision and ensure its successful implementation. It envelops:

  • The establishment of smart classrooms, and specialised media labs for creation and delivery of high-quality digital content.
  • Campus-wide high-speed internet to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.
  • The provision of comprehensive training sessions and targeted workshops for faculty members, on effective e-content development methodologies, utilization of digital assessment tools, and the seamless integration of MOOCs.
  • The cultivation of peer-to-peer learning opportunities among faculty members.

As a result, the faculty members at LJKU are now functioning not merely as content creators but as highly skilled digital educators.

Outcomes and Impact

The profound impact of this commendable initiative of developing on-line course material and videos is clearly evident by:

  • Over 12,000 high quality videos created across disciplines.
  • The University’s dedicated educational channels hosted on YouTube have generated over 10 million views; and,
  • A substantial and continuously expanding subscriber base of close to 1,00,000.

The strategic alliance with Coursera has empowered LJKU students. So far, close to 50,000 certifications have been obtained by LJ students. It has led to:

  • Their acquiring globally recognized certifications.
  • Exposure to best practices in pedagogy.
  • Enhanced employability and global competitiveness.

The University’s comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) plays a crucial role in:

  • Real-time and convenient access for students to a wide array of essential course materials, ensuring flexibility and accessibility in learning.
  • Streamlined assignment submission, grading, and feedback.
  • Direct and effective communication between students and faculty.
  • Comprehensive progress tracking, for timely and personalised learning interventions.
  • Progress tracking for personalized learning interventions.

This system ensures both academic flexibility and efficiency, creating a highly responsive and learner-centric environment.

Future Roadmap: Sustaining Digital Excellence

LJK University (LJKU) strategically considers digital learning not merely as a transient response but as an enduring pillar of academic excellence. Looking ahead, the University has already embarked on the initial phases of implementing cutting-edge technologies, including:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create personalized learning pathways according to individual student profiles.
  • Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies to develop immersive and experiential learning particularly in technical and design disciplines.
  • Digital micro-credentials and stackable certifications to offer modular learning tracks to support continuous professional growth.

Furthermore, underscoring its commitment to digital innovation and a unified learning environment, the University is actively working towards the development of its own comprehensive LJKU Digital Learning Platform. It will serve as a unified hub for all institutional educational content, facilitating seamless access to virtual classrooms, and streamlining assessment processes.


Link to E-contents Prepared by Faculties