Meteorological Training Institute, IMD, Pune component of RTC India, regularly organizes Advanced Meteorological Training Course (A BIP-M training) in the discipline of General Meteorology.
This course consists of 2 semesters, each of 6 months duration. After every semester, final exam is hold, which consists of written exam and Viva-Voce. In the 2nd Semester trainees have to do a project work, which consists of preparation of a project report followed by project presentation and also has to under go about 23 days On the Job Training. Trainees have to qualify each and every subject in every semester. For detail information of this course the URL: http://www.imdpune.gov.in/training/index.html may be referred.
Till now, this course has been conducted as a class room course only, by direct physical presence of resource personnel and the trainees. However, due to the threat of COVID 19, the forthcoming batch (No-181) of this course shall be conducted via distance learning (on line/off line both) mode only. Modas operandi for running this course is given below:
I. For Theory Classes
a) Distance learning shall have both online and offline facilities.
b) A common WhatsApp platform, consisting of all nominated trainees, heads of offices of respective trainees, Head MTI, course officer/coordinator/assistant and all resource personnel, shall be created.
c) All theory lectures shall be delivered online using Skype. To enable trainees to avail the benefits of live online lectures, parent office of individual trainee may be requested to kindly arrange desktop/laptop PC with webcam & headphone for those, who doesn’t have these items personally.
d) Creation of Google classroom consisting of classes on different subjects. All resource personnel shall be requested to kindly upload their lecture/teaching/training materials under respective subject class in the google class room, before they take online classes using skype.
e) Online lecture of each class shall be recorded and same shall be uploaded in Google classroom. This arrangement shall facilitate the trainees to access the lecture offline also, in case failed to attend online class due to technical problems.
f) Class time table, exam timetable and other training related circulars/notices shall be uploaded in the Google class room as well as in the common WhatsApp platform. Through WhatsApp platform individual resource personnel can notify trainees on class related matter.
g) Google class room and common WhatsApp platform shall also be utilized for uploading assignments, doubts, clarification of doubts, completed assignments etc.
II. For Practical Classes
a) Practical parts of the course consist of direct practical demonstration of taking observations (surface, Pilot balloon, Radio Sonde, Radar etc.), plotting charts, analyzing T-Phi gram, weather charts etc. along with their relevant lectures.
b) Relevant lectures shall be done online as usual like other theory lectures.
c) Direct demonstration of above practical aspects shall be video recorded and uploaded in the google class rooms for trainees’ learning.
d) Overseas participants shall be asked to attach at nearest forecasting office in their countries for hands on experience on above practical aspects, for writing final exam and for OJT program during last 10 weeks (4+2+4) of the course.
e) Entire project work shall be done via online only.
III. Conduction of Examination:
a. For overseas participants, both Semester-I & II final exams shall be conducted at nearest forecasting office, as decided by the Head of NMS of concerned country.
b. Soft copies of exam papers shall be sent to Officer-in-Charges of offices, as mentioned at ‘a’, in advance and model answers for all question papers shall be sent soon after completion of all papers, for evaluation at local level.