In the first step towards making Panjab University Chandigarh to have a ‘Smart Campus’ Professor Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University and Sh. Ajit Balaji Joshi,IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh (UT) have launched a QR code and NFC based Mobile Application for sanitation monitoring and information locator system under ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ for sanitation monitoring of toilets in Panjab University Hostels.
The Mobile App based solution would become an important platform for redressing grievances of the Hostel residents. Timelines of grievance redressal would be made part of this mechanism. Name of the App is ‘GoWhatsThat’ which is now available free at Google Play store for Android phone users. Its iOS and Windows Phone versions would be released soon. It only uses 3MB space.
M/s Innoble Smart Technologies, New Delhi has developed this app and have provided this at zero cost to the University under CSR initiative. Installations of the tags which contain QR codes and NFC enabled chip is already completed in all Panjab University hostels in the campus. Residents can scan the QR code or use NFC to give their feedback or complaint after installation of Mobile App on their phones. NFC is a short-range high frequency wireless communication technology that enables the exchange of data between devices over about a 10 cm distance.
It will be useful for the residents of the hostels / students, staff and faculty members of the departments and informative for the visitors to give feedback about the toilets. Remedial action can be taken through concerned authorities as the system is extended to provide an interface for the hostel wardens.In order to participate in this system users have to just download the Mobile App from stores like Google Play etc. QR code/ NFC are pasted on every location for identification. Users have to just scan that code and send the information.
Prof.Raj Kumar said this facility will be extended in all university teaching departments for sanitation monitoring. This facility is also being extended to museums of Panjab University for display of information about the items for the visitors.Museums will also use QR codes/NFC for displaying relevant information of monuments/artefacts to the visitors.
Sh Ajit Balaji Joshi said Mobile App based sanitation monitoring of public toilets of Chandigarh is already in use and I am happy that Panjab University is also becoming a partner for ‘Smart City’. Earlier this app was launched in Chandigarh for tourists and approximately 1100 tags were placed at different tourist spots like Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Capital Complex etc. Tourists can scan the QR code or use NFC to get detailed information about the history of a particular spot. Information can be accessed in 50 languages, and is also available in the form of audio, video, text and pictures.
On this occasion Prof Emanual Nahar (DSW), Prof Neena Kaplash (DSW(W)), Prof Rajan Kumar (Associate DSW) and Wardens were given demonstration of the system. Sh Vikram Nayyar, FDO, Sh A. K. Rai, Xen, Prof Harish Kumar, UIET, Sh Muneeshwar Joshi, SVC and Ms Renuka B Salwan,DPR were also present on this occasion. Representatives from M/s Innoble Smart Technologies told that residents have already downloaded their application and they have started sending their feedbacks. It was informed that 55 users have already downloaded the App at PU campus.