IIT-Delhi helping Ethiopia become tech-savvy

Many students in Ethiopia are studying engineering and technology in virtual
classrooms, some of their teachers seated on the Indian Institute of Technology
(IIT) Delhi, which is helping that country become tech-savvy.

The idea to empower Ethiopia's university students was mooted by its
ambassador to India and even its Prime Minister was eager to have an association
with IIT-Delhi.

“The Ethiopian government is making a rapid expansion in education but it
doesn't have the required infrastructure. The ambassador talked to us and then
the process moved. Even their Prime Minister was very eager for this
association,” said M Balakrishnan, Dean-Post-Graduate Studies, IIT-Delhi

“They want to churn out tech-savvy students and here that we are playing a
role. We have designed four courses for the Addis Ababa University,” said
Balakrishnan.

He said two courses-construction technology and management, and chemical
engineering-have been taught for a semester. The other two courses-computer
engineering and manufacturing engineering -will complete their first semester in
a couple of months.

“Initially, we have a four-year agreement with Ethiopia. Our job is to
develop curriculum, set up a laboratory, give teachings both through virtual
classroom and face-to-face mode. We are also responsible for students'
evaluation. But the degree will be awarded by the Addis Ababa University,” said
Balakrishnan, Senior Professor-School of Computer Science, IIT.

He said that Ehtiopia has set a target of producing 10,000 science and
engineering students at the higher education level in next five years or so, and
for this it has availed of the expertise of the IIT-Delhi as one of the
partners.

The elite institute is delivering the courses via a two-way video/audio link.
“This helps make interaction two-way and participatory. Students ask questions
and we answer them while sitting in our institute,” explained Balakrishnan.

At least 46 faculty members are involved in the project and the IIT-Delhi
offers up to 70 hours per week of instructions. There are around 50 students in
each semester in each course.

“During every semester, the chief instructors of all subjects go to Ethiopia
once to teach students in person. The whole idea is to make the learning process
better and smoother. We are happy with the outcome so far,” he added.

Prashant K Nanda