Vocational Day, Ahmedabad

The team spent the day visiting businesses and institutions which were relevant to their respective vocations in the U.K.

Team Member: Ben Sanders
Institutions Visited: Nirma University, Ahmedabad

I spent my vocational day at Nirma University in Ahmedabad and my visit began by leading a seminar session on research and teaching methods with approximately 70 undergraduate and postgraduate students.  The session was very interactive with students offering a plethora of information on the delivery of lectures, the use of teaching resources and methods of assessment.  Following this interactive discussion, I continued with a presentation on learning styles (i.e. VARK – Visual, Aural, Read/write, Kinaesthetic) and illustrated how lecturers at Plymouth University accommodate different learning preferences.  One of the most interesting findings that arose from my interaction with these students was that of assessment.  Module assessment is predominately by written examination, with 80% of the final module mark being examination and a mere 20% weighting is given to coursework.  In contrast, the assessment weightings at many UK universities are typically made up of 70% coursework and the remainder in-class tests.   it would be interesting to research and determine which assessment method is most effective.

Module support resources are relatively comprehensive at Nirma University.  Indeed, students have access to online lectures (via a VSAT connection from IIT Bombay), online testing facilities and assessment systems.  Teaching methods vary between modules; some are delivered with PowerPoint projection and others use the basic blackboard and chalk method.  During my observations today, in a class where the lecturer used only chalk and a blackboard to explain complex cryptographic concepts, it was apparent that this teaching method is both demanding and time consuming on the teacher.  As such, less material is covered in a one hour period in comparison to a similar cryptography lecture delivered at Plymouth University.  In a round table discussion on the different styles of teaching, it was stated that students are typically more attentive and interactive when using the blackboard and chalk method as opposed to a PowerPoint presentation.  To this end, one student asked how a 1 year MSc programme consisting of ~16 hours of teaching per week (in the UK) compares to a 2 year M.Tech (MSc equivalent) programme consisting of ~32 hours per week (in India).  In answer to this question, one striking difference is the speed at which a lecture is delivered.  In comparison, UK institutions deliver a far greater amount of content in a given hour, compared to the Indian institutions which I have visited during my time in India.  Of course, there are many commonly acknowledged advantages and disadvantages to both approaches.

My next presentation was delivered to a group of ~30 postgraduate students who are soon to embark on their M.Tech thesis dissertation.  After a brief introduction on my vocation, I gave a detailed presentation on my PhD research, covering the topics of behavioural addiction and e-safety online.  The purpose of this talk was to inspire these students, giving them new ideas on future research topics.  Many interesting questions were posed at the end of my speech and a lively discussion ensued.

Following my PhD research presentation, a second discussion on teaching methods ensued, where I demonstrated the online support resources offered to students at Plymouth University and put forward new ideas on how to better accommodate the abovementioned learning styles.  Towards the end of my visit, I was invited to provide external comments on a new undergraduate Computer Security course, which is planned to be introduced at Nirma University in the new academic year.

Immediately prior to my leaving the University, a proposal was put forward regarding the possibility of a collaboration between Nirma University and Plymouth University.  My proposal was welcomed by staff at Nirma University, so yet again, there is hope for a long last exchange collaboration.

Nirma University, Ahmedabad