Mysore/Mysuru: With digital system making inroads into academic field, the necessity of teachers is questioned. They must update their professional skill from time to time to prove the importance of their existence, opined humorist and columnist Prof. M. Krishnegowda.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of K-SET, UGC NET exam training programme organised by Karnataka State Open University (KSOU)  Competitive Examination Training Centre here on Tuesday.

Prof.  Krishnegowda said that digital platforms were created in the academic fields which was helping them to hear teaching by world’s best teachers. But this was going to impact local teachers and a lot of challenges were expected to come up in the field of teaching. “My daughter works in a Multi-National Company (MNC) which does not exist physically and everything happens online. I think employees of this company may never see each other in person in their lifetime,” he said.

 “This is most serious development. If education becomes only information, why teachers are required? Already, this question is making rounds. Seeing the changes that were taking place in the world, it is very difficult to say what will happen to teaching profession and lifestyle down the line. When I started my teaching profession, I was assured of taking classes. But now situation is changing and everything is going on online. I don’t know how teaching profession will be in the next 10 years or will it exist till then?” he observed.

He called upon students to develop positive attitude to pass all exams, not to worry about other things and  maintain affinity towards their alma mater even after passing out from the institution. 

Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. B.S. Manjunathaswamy said that he too was in teaching before getting into administrative service. But the amount of respect and satisfaction in teaching profession was not seen in any other profession. Nearly 30 percent of portion taught in training programme were in KPSC and UPSC exams and students must take advantage of the same, he said.

As many as 253 candidates including a few from North Karnataka underwent the 45-day training programme.

KSOU VC Prof. S. Vidyashankar, Registrar Prof. Lingaraj Gandhi, Competitive Examination Training Centre Co-ordinator Jainahalli Sathyanarayana  and Assistant Professor Shelvapillai Iyengar were present.