BITS Embryo

Frequently Asked Questions

General

1. What is Embryo and what is the motivation behind the project?

Embryo is an initiative to create an e-learning platform whereby enabling seamless flow of information and experience from BITS alumni to BITS students. In other words, it is an attempt to build a platform for interaction between alumni, BITS students and BITS faculty. To learn more about Embryo click here.

 

Schedule

1. What is the current status of the project?

We are in the process of finalizing online lectures for first semester 2006-2007. As and when the lectures get approved by the faculty and the alumni delivering the lecture, the schedule will be updated on the site. Click here to check the latest schedule.

Latest news about the project's status is available here.

2. Is there something concrete planned for the coming semester?

The list of confirmed lectures till date is available at Click here. We will be updating this list as and when we get confirmation for more lectures.

 

Students

1. How can Embryo help me as a student?

As a student, Embryo would enrich your academic experience at BITS through online lectures and collaborative research projects. Embryo would expose you to the latest research trends around the world hence making you aware of the in things in the industry and academia around the world.

Embryo brings you closer to the BITS alumni spread all across the world. You can benefit from their knowledge and experience.

2. Do I need to complete some formalities (like registering at a website) before I can access Embryo material?

As of now, no such formalities are required.

3. Does this entail any kind of fee?

No, this doesn't involve any kind of fee. If you still wish to give something, all we ask for is your contribution to Embryo once you graduate from BITS. :-)

4. Can I get email alerts for the upcoming lectures?

Yes. We have planned for 'weekly newsletters' to be mailed to the students to their BITS mail account. This newsletter would list out the lectures for the coming week.

5. What all disciplines does Embryo plan to cover?

Embryo is department/discipline agnostic. The lectures for any particular discipline depends only on one criteria - we should have somebody from the related discipline to deliver a lecture.

 

Alumni

1. I would be interested in contributing to Embryo. How can I help?

As a BITS Alumni you are at the very heart of this project. Anyone with a research interest in engineering, science or management and involved in current research topics can share knowledge.

• If you are a faculty in the academic world, you can give guest lectures or teach an entire course at BITS.
• - If you are a MS/PhD student doing research, you can talk about current research areas, motivate students of your discipline to take up research projects or help them apply to graduate schools.
• - If you are working in the industry, you can bring the industry perspective to the coursework at BITS, and give guest lectures on current trends in the industry. You can also talk about topics that supplement existing curriculum
• - Most importantly you can motivate BITS alumni around you to contribute to Embryo.

Click here to know more...

2. What do I get from it?

1. Pure altruistic pleasure 2. Collaboration and networking with some of the brightest students in India.

3. I would be interested in delivering an online lecture. Whom should I contact?

Please register yourself here. We will get back to you.

4. Why is registration required, can't we cut down on the process?

We understand that this is a pain point but this is a must for us so as to keep track of people involved with the project. We have tried our best to keep the process as simple as possible. In case you have any suggestions you can mail us at bitsembryo _@_ gmail _._ com.

Long term goal of calendar based registration is to couple it tightly with the whole process of approving online lectures from Pilani and core team.

5. I am not a BITS Alumni. Can I still deliver an online lecture?

You are most welcome. Please shoot a mail to bitsembryo _@_ gmail _._ com. We would be more than happy to discuss any such opportunity with you.

6. I am visiting Pilani and I would like to deliver a lecture while I am there. Can Embryo help me in that?

As of now there is no established process for the same. But since Embryo team comprises of both current and ex BITSians plus the BITS faculty, do write to bitsembryo _@_ gmail _._ com, we will try our best to help you out.

 

Technical

1. How do you plan to deliver online lectures?

We would leverage the high speed network that BITS has in order to deliver content. We plan to deliver lectures using video conferencing.

2. What are the minimum system requirements?

You need a WinXP P4 computer with 512MB RAM, a web camera and a microphone.

3. What can I do if my firewall blocks access to video?

We'll work with you before the lecture in order to make sure everything works fine. In case nothing works out and you are planning to deliver a lecture please let us know at bitsembryo _@_ gmail _._ com. We can pre-record a lecture and have it streamed to Pilani.

 

Miscellaneous

1. Is the Embryo material archived?

Yes. You can access the archive here.

2. Can I pre-record lectures and have them streamed to Pilani?

Yes.

3. Can I get some learning material to students before the lecture?

Yes, if the person delivering the lecture and the concerned faculty are in agreement.

4. Who is my contact at Embryo? How do I communicate any issues I encounter during the process?

You can always shoot an email to the Embryo team at bitsembryo _@_ gmail _._ com.