CHENNAI:
After an engineering student committed suicide this week, the students
of her college went online to vent their ire. One post on a page giving
the name of the college spoke about a protest that was being planned and
asked that it be shared widely and discussed by as many students as
possible. Another was a video of students engaged in a sit-in protest
being lathicharged by police.
Strictly regulated on campus, students of many engineering colleges have taken the online route to air their grievances, including on social media. Past students have joined in too, and this may eventually turn away prospective students from those colleges, experts say. They add that college managements should treat their students as adults and get feedback from them.
Social media consultant Kiruba Shankar, who also delivers guest lectures in engineering colleges, said, "This (negative publicity online) will definitely make an impact on the reputation of colleges. Prospective students and parents always ask around about a college before they enroll there. Now, they also take their search online, and what they see there is considered credible, particularly if it comes from alumni."
When students and parents see a lot of protests, or talk of irrational regulations or suicides they get the feeling that something is amiss and avoid it. After all, there are quite a few options when it comes to engineering colleges. "College managements must take cognizance of online reputation, as much as they try to build a brand offline through advertisements and events," Shankar said.
But, there are no shortcuts. Former Anna University vice-chancellor A Kalanidhi said that college managements and faculty, many over 40 years, continue to approach education with the same attitude as when they were students. "Ten years ago there were few girls in engineering colleges. Now at least half the student population is female. The approach cannot be the same that was adopted 10 years ago. They must take students into consideration, and work to provide counselling for students and training for teachers to handle students," Kalanidhi said.
Kiruba Shankar said that he has noticed that only in institutions where the students are deterred from giving any feedback that students go on a rampage online. "Only when gagged they go anonymous and online. When they are given freedom to communicate and give constructive criticism they act very responsibly."
Though clearly mentioning the institution being targeted, much of the posts are anonymous. "Nowadays students know that their digital footprint can make a lasting impact in their higher studies or careers, so they are being clever about it. But, they ensure that the word about a bad college or learning environment spreads among those concerned," said a second-year engineering student in a city college.
Strictly regulated on campus, students of many engineering colleges have taken the online route to air their grievances, including on social media. Past students have joined in too, and this may eventually turn away prospective students from those colleges, experts say. They add that college managements should treat their students as adults and get feedback from them.
Social media consultant Kiruba Shankar, who also delivers guest lectures in engineering colleges, said, "This (negative publicity online) will definitely make an impact on the reputation of colleges. Prospective students and parents always ask around about a college before they enroll there. Now, they also take their search online, and what they see there is considered credible, particularly if it comes from alumni."
When students and parents see a lot of protests, or talk of irrational regulations or suicides they get the feeling that something is amiss and avoid it. After all, there are quite a few options when it comes to engineering colleges. "College managements must take cognizance of online reputation, as much as they try to build a brand offline through advertisements and events," Shankar said.
But, there are no shortcuts. Former Anna University vice-chancellor A Kalanidhi said that college managements and faculty, many over 40 years, continue to approach education with the same attitude as when they were students. "Ten years ago there were few girls in engineering colleges. Now at least half the student population is female. The approach cannot be the same that was adopted 10 years ago. They must take students into consideration, and work to provide counselling for students and training for teachers to handle students," Kalanidhi said.
Kiruba Shankar said that he has noticed that only in institutions where the students are deterred from giving any feedback that students go on a rampage online. "Only when gagged they go anonymous and online. When they are given freedom to communicate and give constructive criticism they act very responsibly."
Though clearly mentioning the institution being targeted, much of the posts are anonymous. "Nowadays students know that their digital footprint can make a lasting impact in their higher studies or careers, so they are being clever about it. But, they ensure that the word about a bad college or learning environment spreads among those concerned," said a second-year engineering student in a city college.
No comments:
Post a Comment