4 Feb :HRD Minister Arjun Singh launched the ‘National Mission on Education through Information and Comm Technology’ (ICT) in Tirupati, as part of the Ministry’s initiative to provide "access, equity and quality" of higher education to common man.
Launching the mission, he said the aim of the initiative was to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural strata of the society.The 11th plan has allocated Rs 4,612 crore for the project.
Emphasising the need for expansion of education, the Minister said the government was committed to make the best possible use of ICT not only for teaching and learning process but also to promote researches in the country’s institutions of higher learning.
"This could be achieved by providing access to research articles, journals and by interacting with their counterparts in various universities and premier institutes.
"It is a momentous opportunity for all the teachers and experts in the country to pool their collective wisdom for the benefit of every Indian learner," he said.
Earlier, Singh offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala on Monday.