Universities to go digital in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: With an aim to digitalize all the 11 universities in Odisha, the State Higher Education department has reportedly submitted a proposal to the State government with an estimated allocation of Rs 5 crore for the entire digitization process.

Once the campuses are digitized, parents and students can deposit admission and all other types of fees online. Moreover, a single window system has also been proposed through which students can also get syllabus and other important information. Details of university teachers and employees will also be uploaded on the official websites of the varsities.

"Parents can know results of their children online. Examinations can also be conducted on digital platforms. We have devised a proposal and it has been submitted for approval," said Ashok Das, vice chairman of the Higher Education Council, Odisha.

He further said that if the proposal gets approved, works towards creating a digital university can be done.

While states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan already have digital universities and colleges, Odisha is still lagging behind. Meanwhile, educationists have welcomed the decision but at the same time raised concerns over its implementation.

"It is a welcome step by the Higher Education department as it will require no physical presence for every minute official work," said educationist, Pritish Acharya adding that if works get delayed and also becomes expensive, it will do more harm than help.