IT Initiatives
In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Department of Higher and Technical Education in Maharashtra has implemented many IT initiatives to transform the higher education landscape. These initiatives aim to leverage technology and enhance the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of educational institutions. Let's explore some of the key IT initiatives undertaken by the department:
1. E-Samarth
Embracing the digital revolution, the Department of Higher and Technical Education is encouraging universities to adopt the innovative digital platform called E-Samarth. This platform, developed under the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT) by the Ministry of Education (MOE), aims to seamlessly integrate technology into higher education institutions (HEIs). E-Samarth provides a custom-built Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system designed specifically for HEIs, streamlining administrative processes, improving communication, and enhancing operational efficiency within the institutions. To facilitate the implementation of E-Samarth, extensive workshops and webinars were organized, orienting university representatives towards the platform's functionalities. Many universities have already created user profiles and begun utilizing various modules, with 11 State Public Non-Agriculture Universities at different stages of implementation.
2. Maharashtra Higher Education ATLAS-a Geographical Information (GIS) based system
The Department of Higher and Technical Education, Maharashtra, has developed the Atlas, a Geographical Information System (GIS) based system. This platform provides essential information such as the location, courses offered, intake capacities, contact details of institutes, and other relevant details of government, aided, standalone colleges, government hostels, and government-recognized libraries under the jurisdiction of the department. Users can easily locate colleges and explore the facilities provided by them. This system, developed in partnership with Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N) under the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti scheme, is designed to support decision-making processes and improve access to information for administrators, students, and the public.
3. Academic Bank of Credit
Maharashtra has embraced the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC), a vital IT initiative under the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 to promote a flexible and student-centric approach to higher education. ABC serves as a centralized repository that enables the accumulation and transfer of academic credits earned by students across different colleges and universities. By leveraging the ABC, students can customize their learning pathways, explore interdisciplinary subjects, and make use of their prior learning achievements. The ABC platform, developed by the National e-Governance Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the DigiLocker Framework, facilitates academic mobility for students and simplifies credit transfers between programs, leading to the attainment of degrees, diplomas, and other qualifications. Maharashtra aims to achieve 100% registration of students on the ABC portal and 100% registration of universities and autonomous colleges on the NAD (National Academic Depository) portal, further strengthening the implementation of NEP-2020.