1. comcom: Prof Natarajan, now we are hearing about use of technology in higher education.we hear the words such as technology enhanced learning. Could you briefly say what is the role of technology keeping in mind the contemporary realities of india higher education

Prof Natarajan: Traditionally we have relied on class room based education where a teacher stands in front of the classroom and then uses a piece of chalk on a blackboard to explain ideas to convey information to disseminate knowledge and to create learning. But we have so many tools available for us to enhance the learning process. For example 15 -20 years ago we had what we called the educational technology - the use of audio video equipment, video casettes and even computer based training and so on. At the moment we have information technology communication technology which are available to us which have many advantages. I think we need to take advantage of these developments. for example the increased access the distance learning sitting at one place and communicate with a large number of students. Also it has some pedagogical advantages in the sense that the student is now able to learn at his own pace. The teachers role is quite different in the present schematic for instance he now becomes a coach or a facilitator. One other advantage is that in order to promote this kind of learning you have to prepare your instructional material more vigorously and more thoroughly. Once it has been done it can be replicated. Even minor modifications can be taken to take account of new advances. Therefore there are a whole range of advantages in the new tools. The teachers role is different. Teachers presence is important. Presence in the sense is his involvement. His role is very important. But the roles have changed now. Now a facilitator, a coach, a person who designs the instructional material.

2. Comcom: Sir You have taken over as chairman of AICTE, which is an important accrediting body for technical education. Will you bring about a different perception in the universities and institutions seeking accreditation about the role and accountability transparency and functioning of AICTE under your tenure. Some people regard it as old guard, topdown kind of an institution which has a policing role.

Prof Natarajan: I do not want to give the impression that AICTE is not playing a positive role. It has played a certain important role in the coordinated development of technical education in the country. This is what it is supposed to do through an act of parliament in 1987. However there are 23 functions and powers of the council out of which only 3 or 4 have been given importance. Accreditation is only one of its many roles. Norms and standards, faculty development, post graduate education research these are all come under its mandate. What I would like to do is to review the present status, keeping in mind the changing environment and the changing expectations of all our stake holders to play a cooperative role a partnership role with a large number of our stake holders. I will come up with a blueprint for making technical education important component of national industrial and economic development.

3. Comcom: Sir you have a session with vice chancellors. What do you think that some of the issues that may come up

Prof Natarajan: The AICTE's role will be in terms of technical education because of many of the universities have technical education under their control and they have several problems and issues for discussion. Essentially the questions of quantitative expansion, maintaning quality and maintaining relevance and funding. In fact resources are shrinking and how to make best use of the resources how to share resources . The presence of other important national institutions like the CSIR , the DST . It is a good idea to have all of us together. because there are several common areas of work all for the same kind of general cause of technology advancement of the country particularly in view of our dream to emerge as a knowledge superpower. I think it is good occasion for us to share our ideas, discuss threadbare the difficulties that we have with each other and come up with solutions.

comcom : Thank you