The recent years have witnessed a significant shift in the way education and social welfare schemes function in Rajasthan. The government of Rajasthan initiated the use of satellite communication technology to enhance the impact of educational institutions and create awareness about various social welfare schemes. This initiative will especially focus on five aspirational districts namely, Karauli, Dholpur, Baran, Jaisalmer, and Sirohi. These districts have been chosen by the NITI Aayog.
Key Points of the Initiative
This new measure has been introduced to provide Receive Only Terminals (ROT) and Satellite Interactive Terminals (SIT) services. These services aim to facilitate interaction with subject experts in government schools and colleges. Moreover, the initiative plans to disseminate information about various schemes in remote areas, which often lack internet connectivity.
Currently, there are over a hundred SITs and ROTs, which are part of the CEC EDUSAT network. These have been installed at various universities and colleges across the country. This technology is expected to be utilized in approximately 2,000 institutions spanning different departments. These include education, higher education, social welfare, minority welfare, women and child development, and tribal area development.
The Role of CEC EDUSAT Network
The Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC) is one of the Inter-University Centres established by the University Grants Commission of India. Its creation caters to the needs of Higher Education through television and emerging Information Communication Technology (ICT).
EDUSAT is a dedicated satellite designed to meet the educational sector’s requirements. This was launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on September 20, 2004. Its primary goal is to cater to the demand for an interactive, satellite-based distance education system for the country. This has transformed classroom teaching via IP based technology.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Initiative | Satellite Communication Technology in Education and Social Welfare Schemes |
| Number of SIT and ROT | Over 100 |
| Institutions Involved | Around 2000 across various departments |
| Launch Date of EDUSAT | September 20, 2004 |
About University Grants Commission
The University Grants Commission (UGC) was established on December 28, 1953. It became a statutory organization of the Government of India by an Act of Parliament in 1956. The UGC’s main responsibilities include the coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination, and research in university education. The head office of the UGC is situated in New Delhi.
Last Modified: February 7, 2024