Established in 1993 by Squadron Leader Bhagaban Shadangi, who took premature retirement from being a Class 1 Commissioned Officer of Indian Air force after 20 years of service, iBOOKS had a humble beginning in Berhampur, Odisha. However, with the use of technology and a systematic teaching-learning process, the institute has gained an international reputation in its 25 years of operations. Now, the institute being Head Quartered at DELHI gets 500 – 1000 students every month and all of them get personalized attention until they find success. The 25 years of iBOOKS is a case study that can be followed by all the coaching institutes the country.
When we fly high, a view from the top will give us a different perspective about what is happening on the ground. Sometime, it will inspire us to look at things differently for the betterment of our own society. Squadron Leader Bhagaban Shadangi is one such visionary who took premature retirement from being a Class 1 Commissioned Officer of Indian Air force for following his passion and dream of starting an educational institute for furtherance of the best ways of learning. For about 20 years, he served the country by leading the army of men and women in the border areas including places like Leh, the highest battlefield in the world. Now, though Sqn Ldr Shadangi is no more, his team, which he lead till 2013, has been working, for the past 25 years, on a different mission - To Produce the Most Powerful Topper Producing Learning System. Currently it is lead by a young dynamic Chairman, Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi, an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, MIT Professional Education, USA & a Gold Medallist from Xavier Institute of Management, who also has been felicitated in 2017 as "Eminent Alumni" of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (the oldest technical institution of Odisha).
"Owing to its systematic study and a robust learning system, iBOOKs has always achieved marvellous results"
"iBOOKS was started with a mission in 1993. The mission 'To Produce the Most Powerful Topper Producing Learning System' is eternally valid and socially viable," says Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi, who believed in making a foolproof learning system to provide the highest learning facilities not only to a limited number of students, but also to a large section of the society. With an in-depth knowledge of the area and vast experience as the Chief Instructor at Indian Air Force, Sqn Ldr Shadangi held an excellent understanding of the processes involved in learning and training. In fact, when he was working with Indian Air Force, he had brought in ideas like "IntoPlat" (Concept of Integrated Planning Technique), which was later adopted by Indian Air Force and implemented throughout the country. When Sqn Ldr Shadangi started iBOOKS, he utilised all of these experiences in order to improve the learning efficiency of students across the nation.
"iBOOKS was started with a mission in 1993. The mission 'To Produce the Most Powerful Topper Producing Learning System' is eternally valid and socially viable," says Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi, who believed in making a foolproof learning system to provide the highest learning facilities not only to a limited number of students, but also to a large section of the society. With an in-depth knowledge of the area and vast experience as the Chief Instructor at Indian Air Force, Sqn Ldr Shadangi held an excellent understanding of the processes involved in learning and training. In fact, when he was working with Indian Air Force, he had brought in ideas like "IntoPlat" (Concept of Integrated Planning Technique), which was later adopted by Indian Air Force and implemented throughout the country. When Sqn Ldr Shadangi started iBOOKS, he utilised all of these experiences in order to improve the learning efficiency of students across the nation.
Integrating Technology and Learning
'Anytime Anywhere Learning' and 'Technology-Based Interactive Learning Platforms' are the buzzwords of coaching industry today. However, iBooks can be considered as a pioneer in this segment, as it has been utilizing the potential of technology in learning, even before the Smartphone era. In 2006, the institute introduced the concept of Anytime Anywhere Learning using the basic broadband service. Since then, iBooks has produced many revolutionary innovations like iDOST® (intelligent Daily Online Study Tablet) and Doubt Ganga App to make the teaching learning process interactive and fun.
"Backed by our associate company, Books Cybertech Pvt Ltd, we have been implementing solid Artificial Intelligence algorithms and advanced data analytics to solve various problems of students including doubt clearance, performance boosting, drop out control and so on. With the use of technology along with systematic study and planning, we have made the learning process highly personalised. A personalised learning can give higher rate of learning and a better interest generation amongst students," elaborates Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi. At iBOOKS, technology plays a crucial role in the content development too. Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi adds, "The content goes through a rigorous multistage filtering process after generation. We also use a lot of developed Artificial Intelligence Bots and logic in order to achieve this level of quality."
A Consistent Performer
Owing to its systematic study and a robust learning system, iBOOKs has always achieved marvellous results. The institute has been a pioneer in percentage results in the coaching industry, especially at Odisha and many times at National level too. For the last few years, iBOOKS has rightly adopted two pronged strategies, which are summed up in its slogan: Creating Success from Average Students and Toppers from Above Average. That is why at iBOOKS every type of student is able to derive benefit.
Historically, iBOOKS has managed a very high, often the highest percentage result in the various entrance exams. "When we talk about entrance exams like NEET and JEE, over the past few years, we have been able to achieve close to 85-90 percent success ratio in terms of qualified regular long duration coaching course students. At iBOOKS, consistency of results year on year is an important area of focus," claims Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi. Such a result too has been unparalleled and incomparable with any other entity of similar size and scale. Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi proudly adds, "This is a great result since the national average is usually around 50-55 percent and in many states, it floats around 30-40 percent. As per information analysed by us, the percentage of students qualifying at many other institutes is even as low as 25-30 percent." It is impressive to see that in the past iBOOKS has achieved success ratios like one in every five regular students qualifying for All India Level seats.
Now, what is the secret behind this consistent performance? Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi says, "It is the systematisation and standardisation of all the learning processes. We have been able to parametrise each activity and the outcomes, which help in measuring the same and comparing against expected or standard outcomes. With this, the chances of deviations are greatly reduced." Since, iBOOKS targets to maximise the success ratio and students' satisfaction post results, they try to make as many students join professional colleges, preferably MBBS colleges and IITs. However, as the syllabus for various other allied exams looks alike and the pattern of questions too are very similar, the institute makes efforts such that the weak students who cannot join MBBS or BTech are at least able to join allied professional courses like Physiotherapy, Dental, Homeopathy and so on.
iBOOKS Certified Teachers
'iBOOKS Certified Teachers' is a tag that summarizes the quality of trainers who attend numerous students who take up lessons at this institute. "All our teachers go through a rigorous training and certification process before achieving the membership of iBOOKS Certified Teachers. The entire process ensures that only capable teachers get the certification," explains Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi. At iBOOKS, teachers do not really teach, but they make the students learn. Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi opines, "In other words, we believe in learning rather than teaching, as it is our ultimate objective. Teaching, though very important, is only incidental and secondary. Learning is always primary."
It is evident that the iBOOKS wants to improve the efficiency of its students, so that they can learn faster and better. Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi elaborates, "Latest developments and principles of educational process tell clearly that learning occurs as an outcome of various activities. Teaching is one such activity. Moreover, that is the last step and the clearly visible factor in the entire process. Hence, generally, the laymen only see the teacher and teaching activity as the factor, rather the sole factor, for learning." Believing in a holistic view of the learning process, iBOOKS gives high importance to teachers, but at the same time, they also allocate high importance to the other factors that cause good learning, which are often ignored by people believing in the traditional thoughts. Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi adds, "We have listed down all the factors that either promote or hinder the learning process. We always try to amplify the enabling factors and try to resolve or remove the hindering factors."
iBOOKS is now planning for further expansion to more number of cities in upcoming months. In addition to this, the institute will also be expanding the availability of services to a wider number of students by collaborating with existing schools and colleges. "iBOOKS coaching must be at one hand distance of each and every student. We are working for that," says Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi. However, iBOOKS is not ready to compromise on quality over quantity. "We have plans to further increase the percentage results, which is already very high. We will be achieving this through effective usage of Artificial Intelligence algorithms to offer highly personalised content for each student. Overall, we are trying to make the entire learning process a very interesting and enjoyable experience," concludes Lr Shubhrakant Shadangi.
It is important to mention that today iBOOKS is proudly associated with Government of Odisha vide a PPP project to serve the underprivileged students of Odisha.
The Journey So Far
1993: iBOOKS started its operations in Berhampur, Odisha
1994: Expanded to Bhubaneswar
1995: The Company was incorporated
1996: Launch of automated Question Paper Generation Bot, Expanded to more cities
1998: Use of Difficulty Value based question papers
2001: Expanded outside Odisha
2002: Separate question paper to each and every student
2004: First Branch in New Delhi
2005: Head office moved to New Delhi
2006: First concept of Anytime Anywhere Learning using basic broadband services
2007: First International operations
2011: Laptops to students
2012: iDOST (intelligent Daily Online Study Tablet) Tablet PCs to all students
2013: Launch of Power Coaching for students
2015: Doubling of branches
2016: 90% success ratio in Entrance exams
2017: Launch of revolutionary Doubt Ganga App for iBooks students
2018: Multi Colour study materials, Doubt Ganga App opened for all students and executing a prestigious PPP project with Government of Odisha, ISO 9001 Certified
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