BHUBANESWAR Orissa - IT corp plans better computer literacy

From - TOI http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa knowledge Corporation Limited (OKCL), a joint venture company of the state government, has decided to take various initiatives to improve IT literacy among the masses of the state. The corporation has proposed to the state government to begin new courses for different sections of the society including students, professionals, businessmen, women, senior citizens, and government employees.

The corporation has proposed to take up an IT training programmes for primary, secondary and higher secondary teachers and a 'Digital Saheli' programme for empowerment of women. The corporation also proposed to create a network of 2,000 authorised learning centres in public private partnership mode in different parts of the state to improve accessibility of these programmes at a low cost. The proposed network will offer leaning opportunities in urban, semi-urban, rural and hilly areas of the state.

The corporation has also proposed various initiatives like setting up a Digital University, World Academy for Vocational Excellence in partnership with government universities and private sectors. Sources said, at initial phases different programmes of OKCL will be framed in technical collaboration with Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited.

Managing director of MKCL Vivek Sawant made presentations on proposed e-learning and e-empowerment programmes in a high level meeting held under chairmanship of chief secretary Bijoy Kumar Patnaik here recently. The proposal for innovative learning material for primary schools, creation of Orissa knowledge cloud for interlinking computers of various centers of learning, assessment and talent nurturing of students, about 400 IT based skill development programmes for empowering rural women were discussed in the meeting.

In another development, the state government in collaboration with the Centre, would host a two-day national e-governance conference on February 9, 2012. To be held on KIIT campus in Bhubaneswar, chief secretary B K Patnaik on Tuesday held a meeting for smooth conduct of the event.