Digital platforms in academics

Digital Platforms - Assam Agricultural University

Assam Agricultural University has progressively integrated digital platforms and information and communication technologies into its instructional, academic management, and extension activities to enhance teaching-learning effectiveness, administrative efficiency, and outreach. The use of digital technologies aligns with national policy directions (such as the NEP 2020) that emphasise blended, flexible and ICT-mediated education in higher education institutions.

1. Academic Management System and Centralised Digital Academic Platform

AAU has developed and deployed an Academic Management System (AMS) as part of its core digital academic infrastructure. This platform is central to teaching logistics and supports continuity of academic activities through digital workflows.

This system enables:

2. Open & Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Courses

AAU has established an Open & Distance Learning (ODL) platform to deliver education beyond traditional campus boundaries. This digital approach broadens access, expands outreach, and supplements on-campus learning with self-paced online content.

3. Smart Classrooms and ICT-Enabled Teaching Spaces

The University has implemented smart classroom infrastructure equipped with digital connectivity and multimedia tools. This enhances faculty capacity to adopt diversified pedagogies and delivers lectures with enriched audio-visual resources.

4. Institutional IT Support and Network Services

The Agricultural Knowledge Management and Information Technology (AKMIT) Cell serves as the central ICT backbone. AKMIT’s digital infrastructure underpins both teaching-learning platforms and institutional operations.

5. AR & VR Laboratory

Assam Agricultural University continues to modernize its curriculum and research facilities, as evidenced by initiatives in e-learning (e-labs under AdaptNET) and the planned Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

An Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Laboratory, logically aligned with these efforts, has been established under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), Component 2. This provides a platform where advanced visualization technologies complement traditional pedagogy and applied research.

6. Mobile and Web-Based Knowledge Tools

In collaboration with partners like IRRI, AAU has contributed to the development of digital agricultural knowledge tools that have instructional and extension value. While primarily designed for extension and farmer education, these digital tools augment instructional content in relevant curricula.

7. Online Examination Infrastructure

AAU operates an online examination centre with networked computing facilities in the Rev. B M Pugh library. The centre supports digital conduct of secure examinations, contributing to continuity and flexibility in assessment delivery.

8. Other Platforms

The university utilizes a variety of other digital tools for operations and outreach: