Edu-leaders

The union cabinet has decided to converge two separate government schemes to leverage the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching and learning processes in universities and research institutions.

"The union cabinet has approved the proposal for seeking directions for achieving convergence and synergy under the Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme namely National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT) and National Knowledge Network (NKN) and other issues approved," an official statement said after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

While NMEICT  is run by the human resource development ministry, NKN is part of the ministry of communications and information technology.

The cabinet also approved shifting technology from copper wire-based connectivity to optical fiber cable (OFC)-based connectivity in respect of already connected universities and connecting the remaining universities.

It also decided to raise the number of universities and institutions of national importance to be provided connectivity from 419 to 572. This will benefit almost 15 million college students across 25,000 colleges and 2000 polytechnics.

The ultimate target of the scheme is to provide last mile connectivity and provide high quality e-content to be used with the connectivity being provided to the universities and colleges across the country. E-content being generated under NMEICT Scheme would be effectively used by the students and learners in an any time any where mode

Source: igovernment