AICTE keen on improving overall quality of education

KARUR: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is focused on improving the overall quality of education in the country. But availability of quality faculty is a major constraint, according to AICTE Member Secretary, K. Narayanarao.
Presiding over the valedictory of the international conference on computing, communication and networking organised by the Chettinad College of Engineering and Technology at Puliyur near here on Saturday, Dr. Narayanarao observed that while many new colleges had adequate qualified staff as teachers, many others were struggling to attract enough qualified faculty members.
Turning to the modern day engineering students’ requirements, Dr. Narayanarao said that it was not enough if the students were taught their core subjects. They should be exposed to the intricacies of management and entrepreneurial skills so that they become and remain strong.
On improving the quality of education, Dr. Narayanarao said that the AICTE’s National Board of Accreditation, that was undertaking the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme, was seized of the matter.
Bella Bose of Oregon State University remarked that the conference has given the youth and students a great opportunity to absorb the recent trends in specific areas of computing and networking.
College Secretary A. Subramanian and Principal A.P. Kabilan said that the management was planning more regular workshops to benefit the students and the faculty. They said that seven keynote lectures had been delivered, more than 200 papers read over 34 technical sessions during the conference that lasted three days. Scientists and researchers from India, the US, the UK, France, Australia and Singapore submitted their works for discussions in the conference.

BSNL launches web conferencing

CHENNAI: BSNL Chennai Telephones on Monday launched web conferencing services for its broadband customers.
The features of the value added service, which is provided in association with Communication Experts (P) Ltd, an Indo-U.S. joint venture, include multipoint, multimedia, desktop-based voice, video and data conferencing, says a release. The service, which runs on ‘A3 connect software,’ expects to meet the conferencing needs of corporates and small-scale entrepreneurs needing to link up with staff across the country. Customers can apply online (http://bsnl.cepl.in) or contact a Customer Service Centre. Registrants will receive an email with the link to access the service.