KOLLAM: Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar has said that the central government was planning to give autonomy to performing universities in the country and make them ‘innovation hubs.’ “But non-performing institutes will face strict regulations,” he said addressing a meeting in connection with the 63rd birthday celebrations of Mata Amritanandamayi at Amritapuri, Vallikkavu here, on Monday.
He launched a low-cost networking solution, ‘OceanNet,’ to provide internet connectivity to fishermen going to sea and also announced the establishment of a UNESCO chair at Amrita University as part of the event. “The innovation will not only help save the lives of fishermen but also strengthen national security by allowing them to inform the authorities about any suspicious activity in the sea,” he said.
The UNESCO chair for gender equality and women empowerment will play a vital role in realising the millennium development goals, including uplift of women, maternal health, education, sanitation and infant mortality. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy, Karunagappally MLA R. Ramachandran and Minister for Fisheries Mercykkutty Amma jointly distributed financial aid worth Rs 1 crore to the victims of Puttingal Devi Temple fire tragedy at the event.
OceanNet
It provides connectivity to fishing boats at distances over 60 kilometres at sea. The device comprises an onshore base-station with internet connectivity that boosts internet signals which are captured by fishing vessels equipped with low-cost receiver-broadcaster system and is retransmitted from the boats extending its reach further. The project is co-funded by Amrita University and Information Technology Research Academy, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India.
UNESCO Chair
Launched in 1992, the UNESCO Chair programme comprises a global network of more than 700 universities across 128 countries. It promotes international inter-university cooperation and networking.
