Knowledge network

SHILLONG, JUNE 7: In order to address the poor internet  connectivity in the north east region including Meghalaya, union minister for human resource development MM Pallam Raju said that the central government is working on   laying the fiber optic network throughout the country as well as connecting the premiere institute in the region – NEHU with the National Knowledge network.

Raju said there is wealth of information out there and the purpose of the National Knowledge network connection is to connect universities across the country effectively so that there is sharing of information and development by students and faculty. He said, “This is an important development and I hope this would be leverage upon by the colleges and universities towards enhancing knowledge base of the institutions and facilitating the faculties and students better.”

Speaking about internet connectivity in Meghalaya at inaugural function of the golden jubilee celebration of teaching science in Shillong college, Raju said,  “I am hopeful we will be able to give high speed connectivity to the colleges that are affiliated to the institute and I hope it will make a difference to the quality of the internet connectivity that will be prevalence in the campuses.”

According to Raju, the common trend across the country is the confident level the young generation exhibits which stem primarily from their vast exposure and experience of steadfast technology such as the internet. He said,  “We are fortunate to have young population in India which we perceive as the demographic dividend for the country and they truly represent the democracy potentiality.

Raju said it is on the government and the society at large as to how much more it can do for this younger generation by empowering them not only for their individual career but also to enable them to prepare for taking India to greater heights.

Talking about science, Raju  said, “Science today is the life stream of the development and progress of mankind. Science finds its application in every sphere beginning with education, research, medicine, sports, music culture humanity… It’s impacting us in different ways.”

Saying that there is lot happening in the sphere of education, Raju  informed that the government in the last five year plan has started  so many new institutions to expand higher education as technology gave wings to the spread of these knowledge and also the increase number of students coming out from schools and colleges warranted new institutions. He said the government is aiming to make higher education broad base in the country and revealed the ambitious attempt to take the general enrollment ratio of student from 18 per cent to 30 per cent by 2020.

Raju also said the government has also taken initiative to strengthen the ITIs in the country and also coming up with ‘community colleges’ to train youth in developing skills required by the industries. He informed six such community colleges have so far granted for the state. – By Our Reporter