KU’s EMMRC begins two-day orientation programme on MOOCs

Srinagar Aug 20: The Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMMRC), University of Kashmir (KU), commenced a two-day orientation programme on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) at the Main Campus, aimed at familiarising academics with digital learning platforms and encouraging greater integration, visibility and enrollment of MOOCs in higher education.
Titled “Promoting MOOCs in Higher Education: Integration, Visibility and Enrollment,” the programme brought together faculty members from universities and colleges across Kashmir. It seeks to strengthen the capacity of teachers to develop and engage with digital learning resources and platforms, while promoting wider access to quality education beyond conventional classroom spaces.
In her message Vice Chancellor, KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, emphasised the importance of embracing digital transformation in higher education and highlighted the role of MOOCs in expanding access to quality learning and strengthening the academic ecosystem.
“MOOCs have emerged as an important instrument for widening access to quality education and connecting learners with knowledge beyond geographical and institutional boundaries. As higher education continues to evolve with technology and AI, it is important that our teachers and institutions remain prepared to embrace these changes and make meaningful use of digital platforms,” she said.
Speaking on the inaugural session, Dean Academic Affairs, KU, Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, stressed on the need for academic institutions to focus on developing human resources capable of competing at the international level.
“Initiatives like MOOCs provide us an opportunity to take education to everyone. It provides us an opportunity to build human resources that are digitally equipped, globally competitive and prepared for the changing demands of education,” he said.
In his remarks Registrar, KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, highlighted the valuable role of EMMRC in strengthening digital education at the University and encouraged faculty members to make greater use of the Centre’s expertise and resources.
Speaking on the occasion Registrar, Cluster University Srinagar, Prof. Wilayat Hussain Razvi, highlighted the digital education initiatives of the Ministry of Education and the changing role of teachers in the digital learning landscape.
Senior Producer, EMMRC KU, Shafqut Habib, shared his experiences in MOOC production and highlighted the Centre’s contribution to digital learning initiatives.
Earlier Director, EMMRC, KU, Prof. Syeda Afshana, in her welcome address, emphasised the importance of taking education beyond conventional classroom spaces and described the programme as a beginning towards greater academic interaction and collaboration.
Prof Afshana, who recently took over the role of the Director EMMRC KU, stressed on the importance of human resource management in the contemporary times.
“There is now new technology, challenges, opportunities, and AI. However, we must remember that the most valuable is our human resource, and we must know how to nurture and manage it effectively,” she said.
The two-day programme features ten technical sessions led by resource persons from within and outside EMMRC, covering diverse aspects of digital learning, MOOC development, integration, visibility and outreach.