Vol. II: Shaping Information and Communication ... - IMA,ZLW & IfU

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and those conducted elsewhere. Some guidelines need to be developed on the basic course
and infrastructure requirements of particular degree programmes and the type of jobs for
which a student will be eligible after completing the degree. This will not only help in the
optimum utilization of the financial and human resources, but also educate society as a whole
so that students and parents are less vulnerable to commercial exploitation due to their
ignorance of transistor-resistor machines and Information Technology.
2.3 Computer Literacy in the University
We propose that universities should develop new and innovative programmes for students
from different basic disciplines to get training for high-end jobs in the IT industry. The
infrastructure cost of this will be high so realistic fees should be charged but, at the same
time, maintenance and overhead expenses should be cut down. Also, needy students should be
provided financial assistance in the form of teaching/administrative assistantship. Thus the
concept of earning while learning has been introduced. These goals may appear too ambitious
at first sight but such programmes have already been implemented in University of Delhi’s
South Campus at the Institute of Informatics and Communication.
Although only 2-5% of students can be selected for training for such high-end jobs, the
remaining 95% should not be ignored. Universities should consider computer literacy an
integral part of their core activities in the new environment. Computer literacy and its use in
gathering information through the Internet is essential for students of all disciplines. While
planners are worrying about computers in schools, there are no special programmes at the
moment to make our students computer literate, even at the MA/MSc level. For this, they
have to depend upon private shops where they have to pay large sums of money.
It is true that computer education is relatively expensive and cannot be provided free.
However, it can be made affordable if we make full use of the Computer Centres. These
centres were initially established for research and training for specialized courses. With the
cost of machines spiralling down, such facilities are now available in Research Laboratories
of individuals (the so-called professional courses have their own laboratories). So we should
think about changing the role of Computer Centres, using them for computer literacy and for
specialized training to students from different disciplines to enable their use of information
technology in their own discipline. Such training can be provided even in Universities and