Mysuru: The University of Mysore (UoM) was one of the 10 State-funded Universities in the country out of 365 that was selected to make a presentation on Digital Initiatives of the University at the National Convention on Digital Initiatives for Higher Education. The convention organised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and University Grant Commission (UGC) was held at New Delhi from July 8 to 10.

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Board (PMEB) Director Prof. Lingaraja Gandhi had sent the presentation to MHRD and he made the presentation before the HRD Minister,  Vice- Chancellors of all the Universities both Central, State, Private, Deemed and Heads of Centrally Funded Institutions, who participated in the three-day conclave.

Digital Initiatives in UoM

Prof. Gandhi traced the digital history of University of Mysore to the launching of ‘Aakashavani’ (later, AIR) in 1935 by Prof. M.V. Gopalaswamy, the legendary teacher of Maharaja’s College. Setting-up of UGC-Educational Multi-Media Centre (EMMRC) in 1995 and production of some unique educational and cultural programmes under the Directorship of Prof. Usha Rani gave a boost to the digital initiatives in the University, he said.

The EMMRC won nine national awards for its productions. The first documentary on NAAC was produced by EMMRC- Mysore. It is again EMMRC – Mysore that was the first to telecast programmes in Regional languages.

Digitalisation of the University, digitalisation of manuscripts including the legendary Kautilya’s Arthashastra by Oriental Research Institute of the University, Establishment of “DRISTI”-Lab using assistive technology for the visually challenged are some of the rare digital initiates of the University, highlighted by Prof. Gandhi in his presentation.

A significant achievement of the University is in the launching of “E-Governance Solution for University of Mysore” under the University with Potential for Excellence (UPE) project in 2003. Under this project the academic, administrative and examination processes are automated. Setting-up of the Directorate of Outreach and Online Programmes and offering of online courses is yet another digital initiative. Establishment of UGC-University Centre (UCC) in 1979 and establishment of Centre for Information Science and Technology (in 2001) have paved way for digital education in the UoM, observed Prof. Gandhi.

The initiatives of a public University like UoM were appreciated. While it is always private Universities and IITs who have led digital movement, for public Universities to compete with private enterprise is a challenge which the University has taken up earnestly, he said.

President Pranab Mukherjee and HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar launched all the three major digital Initiatives of the MHRD and UGC that included Swayam, Swayam Prabha and National Academic Depository, according to a press release from PMEB Director Prof.  Lingaraja Gandhi.