New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) The union cabinet Tuesday 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,’ a statement said.
NMEICT is run by the human resource development ministry while NKN is part of the ministry of information and 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.
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.
