IT to be made compulsory subject

Mumbai, Jan 8: The State Government has decided to make information technology a compulsory subject at the graduation level in arts, commerce, science, education and law faculties from the ensuing academic session.8220;We have taken a policy decision to introduce information technology at the graduation level. To ensure that a comprehensive course is designed, we have appointed a 12-member task force to advice the government,8221; Minister for Higher and Technical Education Dilip Walse Patil told The Indian Express.

Former Pune University Vice-Chancellor Ram Takwale is the chairman of the task force. Vijay Bhatkar, former Director of C-Dac, V R Deshpande, Vice-Chancellor, Ambedkar Technological University and Shankar Matha of VJTI, Mumbai are among the members.

The panel will suggest ways and means of using the existing and emerging information communication technologies for developing teaching and learning resources and delivering and managing education.

The government has also asked the committee to proposea comprehensive mechanism under the department of higher and technical education that would help in implementing the plan of action, Walse Patil said, adding, Takwale has been asked to submit his report within 45 days.