Odisha varsities, colleges to become Wi-Fi enabled by March

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Feb 25:

The government-run universities and colleges across Odisha will be Wi-Fi enabled by this March, a decision was taken in a high-level meeting organised by Higher Education department presided over by its Secretary Gagan Kumar Dhal recently.

With this initiative, seven universities, 46 colleges and all autonomous universities funded by state government would avail Wi-Fi facilities from the next academic session in which students would have access to e-library, smart classroom and smart campus services.

‘‘Internet facilities will be on offer for students and they would be able to enrol in online programmes after the introduction of Wi-Fi facilities in the educational campuses,’’ higher education department additional secretary Ajay Nayak said.

The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has been entrusted with the responsibility to execute the project for which the officials have begun the survey of the state-run institutions. Following this, they would submit a detailed project report (DPR) and subsequently funds will be released to make the institutions Wi-Fi enabled.

“The state-owned telecommunications company will be executing the project and has been asked to submit DPR following which the campuses will be made Wi-Fi enabled by March this year,” Ajay Nayak said.

In the subsequent phases the facility will be rolled out to other colleges and varsities in the state. Besides, emphasis would be given on the government aided colleges, unaided colleges and residential colleges to be included in Wi-Fi campuses initiative.

The technology driven initiative is slated to benefit students and faculties as well who will have access to internet facilities.

“This is a welcome initiative by the state government. The proposed digital initiatives would uplift the standard of education in the state as it is lagging behind as compared to other states. The measures to introduce smart Wi-Fi campuses, e-libraries, smart classes and other digital initiatives will definitely help improve the quality of higher education in the state,” a student of Utkal University in the capital city said.