Puja Kumari : M.A. Museology (Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda)
On 17 November 2015, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared 28 September as International Day for Universal Access to Information. Considering that several civil society organizations and government bodies in the world have adopted and currently celebrate this observance, the UN General Assembly also adopted 28 September 2019 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
Universal access to information is a fundamental principle that underpins democracy, education, and social development. It ensures that individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status, geographic location, or educational background, can access knowledge and resources that are essential for personal and professional growth. This access promotes informed citizenry, enabling people to participate actively in democratic processes and make decisions that affect their lives and communities.
Moreover, universal access to information fosters educational equity by breaking down barriers to learning. With the rise of digital platforms, vast resources can be made available to learners across the globe, allowing for a diverse range of educational opportunities that can accommodate different learning styles and needs. This inclusivity helps to bridge the knowledge gap and empowers marginalised communities, thereby contributing to social justice and economic development.
Shodhganga
Shodhganga is a digital repository developed by the INFLIBNET Centre, aimed at providing access to Indian electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) submitted by research scholars from various universities across India. Launched in 2010, Shodhganga serves as a vital resource for researchers, academicians, and students, facilitating the dissemination and preservation of scholarly work in a structured and accessible format.
The importance of Shodhganga lies in its role as a comprehensive platform that not only enhances the visibility of Indian research but also promotes open access to knowledge. By offering a centralized database of ETDs, Shodhganga enables users to explore a diverse range of academic disciplines and topics, thereby fostering academic collaboration and innovation. Furthermore, it supports the government’s initiatives for digitizing educational resources and encourages research scholars to share their findings with a wider audience. As a significant contributor to the advancement of knowledge in India, Shodhganga plays a crucial role in enriching the academic landscape and supporting the country's commitment to research and development.
The National Digital Library of India
The National Digital Library of India (NDLI) is an ambitious initiative launched by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, aimed at providing free access to a vast repository of educational resources for students, researchers, and lifelong learners. Established in 2016, NDLI aggregates a diverse range of digital content, including books, articles, theses, and multimedia resources across various disciplines, making it an invaluable tool for enhancing the learning experience in India.
The National Digital Library of India (NDLI) stands out from other academic platforms by offering a comprehensive aggregation of educational resources, including books, research papers, theses, and multimedia content across various disciplines, with a strong emphasis on Indian scholarship. Its user-centric approach caters to diverse audiences by providing content in multiple languages and formats, thus promoting inclusivity. NDLI fosters collaboration with educational institutions, libraries, and publishers, creating a cohesive academic environment, while its commitment to open access ensures that users can freely access a wealth of knowledge without subscription barriers. Enhanced by advanced search features and tools for self-directed learning, NDLI plays a vital role in democratizing education and research in India, making it an invaluable resource for students, educators, and researchers alike.
SWAYAM
SWAYAM stands for Study Webs of Active-learning for Young Aspiring Minds. SWAYAM is an indigenous developed platform, initiated by Government of India, which is instrumental for self-actualisation providing opportunities for a life-long learning.
It is an online to quality education across the country. Launched in 2016, it aims to provide a diverse array of courses across various disciplines, catering to learners from school students of standard 9th to Post Graduate. SWAYAM's design is rooted in the principles of open education, allowing users to access course materials at no cost, thereby promoting inclusivity and flexibility in learning.
The platform collaborates with numerous esteemed institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and other prominent universities such as the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), to ensure that the content is academically rigorous and relevant. By offering features such as video lectures, quizzes, and discussion forums, SWAYAM seeks to create an engaging learning environment that supports a variety of learning styles. Ultimately, SWAYAM aims to enhance educational accessibility and contribute to the broader goal of improving educational outcomes in India.
In order to ensure that best quality content is produced and delivered, ten National Coordinators have been appointed. They are:
AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) for self-paced and international courses
NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning) for Engineering
UGC (University Grants Commission) for non technical post-graduation education
CEC (Consortium for Educational Communication) for under-graduate education
NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) for school education
NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) for school education
IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) for out-of-school students
IIMB (Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore) for management studies
NITTTR (National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research) for Teacher Training programme
INI (Institutes of National Importance) for Non-Technical Courses
NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning) is closely connected to SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) as both initiatives aim to enhance access to quality education in India through digital platforms. Many NPTEL courses, featuring extensive video lectures and course materials, are integrated into SWAYAM, allowing users to access a centralized repository of educational resources. Both platforms emphasize open access to learning, enabling students, educators, and professionals to benefit from high-quality content without financial barriers. By focusing on skill development and promoting the use of technology in education, NPTEL and SWAYAM collaboratively enrich the educational landscape in India, preparing a more skilled workforce for the future.
FOSSEE (Free/Libre and Open Source Software for Education)
FOSSEE (Free/Libre and Open Source Software for Education) is an initiative launched by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) to promote the use of open-source software in educational institutions across India. Established in 2011, FOSSEE aims to enhance the teaching and learning experience by providing freely available software tools that cater to various academic disciplines, including engineering, science, and humanities.
The importance of FOSSEE lies in its commitment to fostering an open educational environment. By encouraging the adoption of open-source software, FOSSEE enables institutions to reduce costs associated with proprietary software licenses, thereby making quality educational resources more accessible. The initiative also supports the development of skills in open-source tools, preparing students for a workforce that increasingly values such competencies.
FOSSEE offers a range of resources, including tutorials, documentation, and community support, to facilitate the integration of open-source software into curricula. Collaborating with faculty and students, FOSSEE also promotes the development of new software solutions tailored to educational needs. By advocating for the use of free and open-source software, FOSSEE not only contributes to the enhancement of educational practices in India but also aligns with the broader goals of sustainability and collaborative learning in the digital age.
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