Inamdar plans to network schools

BANGALORE: Juggling with two portfolios needs ingenuity. D.B. Inamdar, the minister monitoring IT and tourism, seems to have plenty of it. In the next couple of weeks, he plans to formulate a strategy paper to build synergy between these departments.
``IT and tourism can mutually benefit from each other. I will soon call a meeting of senior officials to initiate the exercise.There are states like Kerala which have achieved this synergy with tremendous results,'''' says Inamdar.
He''s meeting up with various players to ascertain the needs of the IT industry. In keeping with the trend, it is evident that the ITES segment will get his special attention.
Another pet project of his is taking shape at his hometown in Belgaum. This district is one among seven in the entire country identified by the Union government to launch Vidyavahini ``for establishing Intranet and Internet in identified schools''''.
``Belgaum''s DC will be leaving for Delhi to follow up on the project. Karnataka has already started networking 1,000 schools and has a good understanding of what should be done in this project,'''' says Inamdar.
As part of the project, each identified school will be provided one networked computer lab with 10 multimedia PCs equipped with a web camera, a server and Internet connectivity of 128 kbps.
All the 20 schools will be connected together through Intranet and Internet. ``The lab will be used to train teachers in computer awareness and use of education tools for imparting computer-aided learning. Intel and Microsoft will be involved to conduct training programmes, which will largely be in Kannada,'''' says Inamdar.
A central portal will also be developed and hosted on the ERNET (largest nationwide terrestrial and satellite network maintained by the Department of Electronics) server. Students and teachers, apart from having access to this portal, will also key in information to be shared with other students and teachers.
``Education tools will be available on the portal to be accessed free by students and teachers. Any other material provided by the State Education Board will also be available on the portal,'''' says Inamdar.