It was an apt gift on Teacher’s Day. The University of Madras has initiated the process of providing laptops to all its teachers on Wednesday. The announcement was made last year by vice-chancellor G Thiruvasagam.
“It took a year for the tender procedures to get over,” said the v-c. The laptops have arrived but it will take about two weeks for them to be configured and distributed to the teachers. In all, 348 teachers across 70 departments will be benefitted by the scheme.
As per the earlier announcement, all departments were to get one laptop each within the next couple of months following which every single faculty member would have an individual notebook. “We are giving laptops to all teachers to help them understand technology and connect with students better,” said Mr Thiruvasagam.
“This will not only help them participate more effectively in seminars and conferences but will aid their research activities and improve the overall academic scenario,” the v-c said.
Laptops will also increase the productivity of the professors, he said.
“My son is studying in an engineering college. He recently got a free laptop and now, I get one. This will help many youngsters change their opinion about teaching being restricted to technologically-shy persons,” said a professor of philosophy. “I am comfortable with computers but many of my colleagues would any day prefer a hardbound English Dictionary over online books. The seniors might find it a little difficult to adjust, but we are all excited to receive them,” he added.
Training programmes
The v-c said training programmes will be conducted for the teachers as and when required. Work is also in progress to make the other campuses of the university WiFi zones, while the one at Guindy already has the facility.
“Teachers of the University, over the last few years, have become very comfortable with technology. They will have no problems switching to the laptops,” the v-c said.
Keywords: Teacher’s Day, University of Madras
