How IPEM Is Tackling The COVID–19 Pandemic

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted millions of people all around the globe. People everywhere are practicing social distancing as a precautionary measure against the virus. Almost every industry and sector has been shut and people are under lockdown to help in the prevention of spreading the virus. The education sector; the schools, colleges, universities etc. are closed all across the nation. Students are attending online classes hosted by the teachers to keep the learning process going. Times like these help us realize the need to be prepared for any crises which might occur in the future. As a nation, this is a problem we are facing together and it is a crisis that has made us take some very offbeat decisions to stay connected with each other and carry out all the possible work that we can while being inside. These problems point to a time lag in school-based possible planning in the future within the broader education sector as well as preparedness, planning, and the management of this urgent crisis. IPEM too has taken the responsibility to keep providing quality education to its students through various digital media sources.

Institute of Professional Excellence & Management (IPEM) offers various courses in Management, Information Technology, Law and Education. The Institute allows its students to explore and enhance their skills. The faculty members encourage students to think decisively and also encourage mutual learning among the students and build a safe learning environment. Through rapid digitalization we now have better platforms and the potential to help students even in times like these. IPEM is at the forefront of using emerging technologies such as LCDs, Smart Boards, Communication Labs, Wi-Fi access to promote effective learning and enriching the classroom experience of the students. All the classroom lectures are being delivered through power-point presentations and videos. The study notes are also being circulated online through Google groups and WhatsApp student groups. A greater amount of organizational work is being done using Digital Technology.

Read also: Education beyond COVID–19

The nation of 1.3 billion people reported its first case of COVID-19 on January 30. It has increased exponentially thereafter. The varied preparedness and responses to COVID-19 by States are easily insightful. However, the timely enforcement of the national lockdown has led to positive results. The decision of the Government gathered appreciation from different countries and International Organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO). The citizens are voluntarily working to ensure the food, essential supplies, and medicines to the needy. The Educational sector was fast to take the necessary decision of closing all the educational institutions in order to restrict the transmission of the virus and safeguard their students, teachers, and management. Most of the Institutions have transitioned to online teaching and learning as well as making the course material accessible digitally. But every solution has its pros and cons and here one of the biggest challenges is finding and setting up the alternative form of educational delivery to a large number of students especially when most students do not have access to technology and internet connection at the moment. Apart from providing the best education possible at the moment, another major task for the University administration is to conduct examinations. It is necessary to think and put together an alternative plan to continue education in this situation.

In this overwhelming and crucial situation, IPEM is putting its efforts to minimize the effect of the pandemic so that the learning process is not compromised. Online Education is not as easy as it might sound. Both the teachers and the students have to face various challenges such as high-speed internet connectivity, distributed geographic locations of faculty and students, to connect everyone at the same time, being able to explain the study material and solve queries, etc. should be taken into consideration. The Institute is ensuring that students have access to recorded video lectures and timely circulation of the study material. The faculty members are scheduling the live online class on digital platforms like Webex or Zoom.

The Institute went one step ahead and is conducting online tests, quizzes, and different online competitions through Google Classroom for the purpose of enhancing the analytical skills of the Students. The students are actively participating in activities like Online Article Writing Competition, Online Presentations, and Video-Making Competition.

IPEM is doing its part in combating this pandemic. The Government of India has launched the Prime Minister’s Citizens Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations PM CARES Fund to secure donations for its fight against COVID-19. As a part of social responsibility, IPEM initiated to help the Nation by contributing Rs 10 Lakhs and 1 Lakh towards PM CARES Fund and CM Relief Fund by the Secretary and Director General respectively towards the fund to fight COVID-19. The Institute is tackling this pandemic by encouraging the faculty members and students to download AROGYA SETU Mobile Application.

IPEM aims to secure student’s careers, plan for continuity of education, and safeguard education sector investments, all of which ultimately contribute to strengthened resilience through education. Right support and encouragement at times like these can inspire students to become responsible citizens to realize their duty towards their society at times like these. Maintaining safe school operations or reopening Colleges after a lockdown requires many considerations but, if done well, we can still promote a healthy environment. IPEM is taking all precautionary measures to ensure a smooth learning process even if the lockdown extends. The College is encouraging its faculty members to attend various Webinars related to E-Learning so that if the situation worsens in any case, then students do not get to suffer. There is a phrase, “It is always the darkest before dawn”. All of us will emerge stronger than ever after this pandemic is over. The challenges emerging in a pandemic are forcing us to devise a concrete roadmap ahead and seize the opportunities to rebuild a better world.