UP Government to Provide Free WiFi in Universities & Colleges, Allocates Rs. 50 Crore
- According to sources, the state government will launch the free WiFi services from the current academic session.
- Initially, the free WiFi services will be available to students of government funded colleges and state-run universities.
The government of Uttar Pradesh is all set to provide free WiFi in various universities and colleges across the state. For this purpose, the state government allocated Rs. 50 crore on July 11, 2017. The fund allocation was made during the first budget session of the government. The first budget also focused on waiver of crop loans and various welfare schemes.
According to sources, the state government will launch the free WiFi services from the current academic session. For this purpose, the state government has tied up with a private service provider. An official associated with state government pointed that free WiFi facility in varsities and colleges will bring a revolution in higher education. Hereafter, the state government will take various steps to promote digitalisation in higher education. Initially, the free WiFi services will be available to students of government funded colleges and state-run universities.
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Lucknow University spokesperson, Mr. N.K. Pandey indicated that free internet facility will help students in research work. The varsity has made many research and study materials available online.
The state government also allocated funds to state-run universities and colleges to develop infrastructure and create research chairs. The state government allocated Rs. 9 crores to establish a chair in all state universities to mark the centenary of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya. On the other hand, Lucknow University has received an additional grant of Rs. 2 crores for establishing a research chair in the name of Bhauroa Devras.
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The state government also sanctioned Rs. 27 crores for the completion of new government engineering colleges in various locations. Another Rs. 50 lakh was allocated for developing software that facilitates online affiliation of new colleges and universities.