IIIT-A to develop courses for tech institutes

The IIIT-A Director,Prof M D Tiwari,said the objective was to spread the knowledge of computers in remotest parts of northern India,which have remained untouched by the IT revolution. “The ministry has agreed to release Rs 75 lakh for the mission that will begin soon,” he added.

The project is part of a new Centrally-sponsored scheme,National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (ICT),said Tiwari.

The project is expected to be completed within a year. The institute will first focus on content generation and then on connectivity,along with provisions of access devices for institutions and learners.

“It plans to focus on appropriate pedagogy for e-learning,providing facility for experiments through virtual laboratories,online testing and certification and online availability of teachers.” It will also utilise of EduSAT (government satellite for transmission of education programme) and direct to home platform to train teachers to effectively use the new method of teaching,” Tiwari said.

The IIIT-A will initiate integrated human resource development programme and conduct specialised courses. “We will also organise training workshops in technology and short term specialised courses to train faculty and knowledge workers. The trained persons will act as IT mentors and work even in far-off regions of northern India,” the professor added.

The country’s first North Zone Resource Centre to develop manpower for the software export industry has also been set up at IIIT-A. Now,the institute plans to use the resources of the Centre for this mission.

“We will use all our available resources to make this project a success. Efforts have already begun to plan and implement this project. We have already received the first installment of the Rs 75-lakh grant,” said Tiwari.