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Makale Özeti:
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A research project was carried out during 2007-08 at the Open University, UK to
explore the suitable strategic policy & practices, and partnership possibilities for open,
distance and e-learning (ODEL) programme for the postgraduate agricultural education
in Bangladesh.
The methodology followed was based on the searches on Internet, Journal articles,
books, periodicals, brochures, proceedings, reports, attending lectures workshops,
seminars, symposia, conferences, contacts, and visits to other Universities/Instition/
Organisations for case studies.
Under the new millennium context resurgence of global interest in web-based Open,
distance and e-learning (ODEL) has been proved to be potentially useful strategy for
human development issues, particularly due to the evolution of fast-growing as well as
net-working new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The study
reveals that though ODEL has been found widely used in many reputed and world
leading universities in UK for higher studies leading to degrees, diploma and
certificates on arts, general & environmental sciences as well the commerce subjects,
and trainings for professional developments etc.
The application ODEL especially in higher agricultural education and training leading to
MScs and PhDs is almost scanty except a few cases of Fisheries and Livestock, the two
sections of Agriculture in the Universities like the University of Sterling, University of
Edinburgh and the University of London (Royal Veterinary College) etc.
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But in cases of other major areas of Agricultural subjects such as the crop sciences
including Agronomy, Soil science, Crop botany, Horticulture, Plant Pathology,
Entomology, Genetics & Pl. Breeding, Agric. Extension Education, Agric. Chemistry,
Biochemistry, Agro forestry, Biotechnology, Seed Sci. & Techno. Farm Structure, Farm
Power & Machinery, Irrigation & Water Management, Food Tech. & Rural Farm
Industry, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Finance, Agricultural Statistics, Ag.
Cooperation & Ag. Marketing, Rural Development etc. the application of ODEL has not
yet been found employed in anywhere except, a few recent endeavours under a limited
scope in the Asian countries like India (IGNOU).
ODEL extends the learning and self-development opportunities to those beyond the
access to the conventional system due to professional, familial, economic, geographical
etc. restrictions. The scenario is more acute especially in case of the applied science
like Agriculture in Agriculture-dependent developing country like Bangladesh where
the tool may be potential alternative to address the postgraduate agricultural
education, the acute problem of a vast number of target group seeking higher studies.
Bangladesh is one of the most thickly populated and agriculture dependent developing
countries of the world, and Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) established in
1962 is only the premier seat of higher agricultural education and research in the
country offering Masters and Doctoral degrees through the conventional face to face
class room system. Since its establishment out of the total passed out bachelors (BSc
Ag.) so far till July 2007 only 31.29% Masters and 0.64% PhDs have been produced.
Bangladesh has recently been connected to the information super-highway through
submarine cables.
As a result, along with BTTB private companies already could ramify their ICT-based
business orientations in different sectors like banking, transportation, administration
etc.
The use of computer and the long-ranged, portable electronic device with the
telephone and the cell phone networks are widely used now a day. Under the
circumstances, for better and progressive existence in the competitive global context it
should be concentrated on its special attention to the ICT-based ODEL as a pragmatic
focal issue with a view to transforming the ever increasing vast population potential
into more productive force, so as to solve the higher agricultural education problems
and ultimately towards greater awareness and appreciation leading to sustainable
agricultural development and alleviating poverty in the country.The study evidences
that there is an ample paradigm shift towards ODEL system in providing accessible
postgraduate agricultural education in Bangladesh. On the basis of study on ODEL
ongoing programmes at different Universities the following policy and practices have
been recognised to be recommended to the concerned BAU authority.
The course materials for the students must be bespoke, having been
developed for the ODEL mode, and are not simply a course that provides
material on the web. It ensures that the students enjoy the same high
quality teaching environment and exposure to innovation as the students on
campus-based courses.
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Development of adequate students‘ supports and facilities along with valid
accreditation of their degrees.
Development of highly skilled special academic as well as administrative
expertise for the ODEL-based postgraduate in agricultural education
programme.
For high technology and innovation as well as need-based action researches,
global partnership development programme should be initiated.
Thus BAU can go even beyond the boundary of the country with its high quality ODEL,
especially Asian countries and the South Asian neighbourhood in particular but
requires a strong need for an international intervention in planting the ‗ODEL seed‘ into
the conventional system in Bangladesh.
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