How UPES is delivering world-class education in the time of pandemic

Through new modes of teaching and assessment – from virtual labs to devising an immersive academic learning framework – the university has continued to provide exceptional quality of education. Resultantly, it has already crossed 2001 unique placements for the 2021 graduating batch.

The Covid-19 pandemic has upended the world; higher education, too, has been affected. In the face of exceptional circumstances, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies [UPES] has continued to deliver world-class education using new modes of teaching and assessment.

UPES prepared a framework that supports the students’ learning experience and ensures they receive the exceptional quality of education for which the university is known, regardless of the delivery model. The university is also equipped to offer students, employees, and its entire community a safe learning and working environment by aligning its safety protocols with those recommended by governments and public health authorities. UPES has been certified for its safety and hygiene program by Bureau Veritas, the world leader in testing, inspection, and certification services.

The university is also equipped to offer students, employees, and its entire community a safe learning and working environment by aligning its safety protocols with those recommended by governments and public health authorities.

All the batches had an intensive semester through online mode and the hours were similar to the original schedule. The university conducted online classes through virtual classrooms via Institutional Learning Management System ‘Blackboard’, already adopted by UPES in the year 2015. Regular online sessions were conducted every day by the faculty to avoid any clogging towards the end of the semester before the term-end examinations.

To provide remote access to labs in various disciplines, UPES organised virtual labs wherever possible in the given scenario. These labs catered to students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels as well as to research scholars. The university is preparing for more virtual labs to encourage students to conduct experiments, albeit remotely.

To provide remote access to labs in various disciplines, UPES organised virtual labs wherever possible in the given scenario.

Extensive, mindful conversations took place via emails, WhatsApp groups, Zoom calls and Blackboard Collaborate to create a support system for the current students along with the help of the alumni.

UPES collaborated with the global online learning platform, Coursera, offering a unique learning experience to students as a valuable addition along with the regular core courses to augment the learning outcomes. Students had access to over 3,900 courses available with nearly 400 specialisations. Upon completion of each course, students acquire verified, university-branded certificates.

UPES collaborated with the global online learning platform, Coursera, offering a unique learning experience to students as a valuable addition along with the regular core courses to augment the learning outcomes.

The university devised an Immersive Academic Learning Framework for the batch of 2020, which encompassed Induction, Pre-Semester Learning and the Start of the Semester.

UPES’ efforts to bridge the academia-industry gap continued with online master classes and webinars being conducted by industry experts for all the students, across the schools. These included: Economy and Employment post-Covid with Jagdish Sheth, Professor of Marketing, Emory University (Padma Bhushan Awardee 2020); Building a sustainable future through design with  Pradyumna Vyas, Senior Advisor, Design & Innovation, CII Board of Director, World Design Organisation; A conversation with the man behind Mission ‘Chandrayaan’, Padma Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar, Ex-Chairman ISRO, Ex-Secretary, Department of Space, Member Space Commission; Human Space Light and Mission Control with Mr. Ed Van Cise, Flight Director, NASA Houston, Texas, to name a few.

To equip students with the competencies necessary for success in personal as well as professional space, UPES established School for Life. The School seeks to facilitate a broad-based learning experience for all students through inter-disciplinary, signatory, and life-skills courses, as well as social internships.

The university launched ‘UPES Cares’ – a 24/7 counselling service for the emotional wellbeing of students as well as their family members, wherein they could reach out to trained counsellors to seek help. For addressing the concerns of students about the uncertainties, webinars were organised by renowned practicing psychologists on ways to cope up with Covid-19.

To equip students with the competencies necessary for success in personal as well as professional space, UPES established School for Life.

To bring moments of joy and a sense of belongingness among students, engaging activities such as ‘Bring Your Own Coffee’, ‘Quarantine Tales’, online sports tournaments, and workshops for learning musical instruments, sketching, photography, yoga, and cooking were organised.

To encourage Research and Innovation, UPES created a conducive environment for students and faculty who made stunning innovations such as COVID Fabric Helmet, Multi-Patient Ventilator, and Automatic Hand Sanitizer Dispensing Machine for curbing the impact of the virus to some extent.

About the author

Ekta Kashyap is a former journalist whose work history includes stints with media houses such as India Today, Bureaucracy Today and The Times of Africa. In her current position as Senior Executive - Content, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies [UPES], she writes extensively about education, life skills, and emerging industry trends.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha