Osmania to take to E-learning in big way

Hyderabad, Feb 1 (UNI) Osmania University has programed to network all its departments shortly by harnessing information and communication technologies for the benefit of students, Vice-Chancellor Suleman Siddiqui said today.

Already E-classroom had been set up at the University College of Engineering and the facility would be extended to all departments, he said,presenting his report at the 77th annual convocation of the university.

In the first phase of campus-wide networking, fibre optic network would be established at a cost of Rs 2.56 crore. In the second phase satellite connectivity costing Rs 2.7 crore would be taken up, he added.

''Plans are afoot to popularise and take these programmes to create awareness and interest among the students by beaming these programmes in the library and hostels and the at the upcoming Central Facilities Buildig'', he said.

The second university in the State to implement Universal Digital Library Project run under the auspices of Carnegie Mellon University and the Union Government, the University had so far computerised information relating to 1.50 lakh books. As many as 40,000 books not falling under purview of the copyright act had been digitalised.

The University had initiated steps to preserve rare manuscripts, he said, adding 5000 rare manuscripts had been digitalised under the project taken up in collaboration with Huma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage, Dubai.

The University was expediting conservation project of heritage building of University college for women with funding from the World Monuments Fund, he said, adding the University's efforts to preserve the historic Arts College and other buildings in the campus had been recognised through INTAC Heritage Award.

Referring industry-institution interface, he said the University had collaborated with Industry majors like Satyam Computers, Infosys, Swarna Bhyarati Biotech Consortium under University Industry hub.

The University has introduced new courses, inclduing Msc(GeoInformatics) and MSc(Forensic Science), he added.

UNI