If things go according to plan, the University of Kerala will soon have smart classrooms.
The first of these classrooms will be set up at the School of Management and Legal Studies. This will be the first school of the university.
The university budget for 2012-13 presented by Syndicate member B.S. Jyothikumar here on Wednesday has earmarked Rs.1 crore for the roll-out of the school system.
The budget has set aside Rs.6 lakh for setting up the first of its smart classrooms.
The university will construct a science block to house scientific equipment for Rs.9 crore to be purchased using funds from the Department of Science and Technology. The block will be constructed at a cost of Rs.2 crore, using in part funds from the State government.
A fire protection and safety system will be put in place on the Karyavattom campus with assistance from the State government. This is designed to protect from fire costly equipment in the laboratories and buildings that house the teaching departments. The safety system is expected to cost Rs.1 crore.
Computerised exams
From the coming academic year, all examinations will be computerised. Valuation camps will be fully computerised. A Wi-Fi Internet system will be established on the Karyavattom campus. A system will be put in place to submit online all applications for certificates. All certificates, except degree certificates, will reach the applicants online.
A special system will be created at the office of the Controller of Examinations to ensure efficient conduct of examinations at the Learner Support Centres of the Institute of Distance Education.
The university will lay emphasis on improving its examination system. As part of this, services of all teachers in government and aided colleges will be ensured for evaluation of answer sheets. Shortage of employees in the examination wing will be made good.
Web portal
A web portal will be set up this year, the budget says.
The portal will bring together all departments, colleges, University Institutes of Technology (UITs), and hostels and offices of the university. Once the portal is set up, university personnel will be able to get instant information about a student who has registered for a course or about the employees themselves.
The technology for the portal is being developed at the Kerala University Computer Centre. The budget has allocated Rs.50 lakh for the development of the software needed to run the portal, and Rs.1 crore for the computer server and allied infrastructure for the scheme.
Adequate computers will be made available at all university departments, the budget says.
