RGPV to start e-book facility for BTech students
| Date :31-Jul-2019 |
By Ankita Garg:
In developed countries, e-book concept has become a huge hit among students. They just download the desired book on mobile phones or lap tops and go through it even while travelling. Seeing this, Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV) has also decided to start a pilot project in which e-book of BTech course would be made available to students. If the project is successful then other courses will be also added under e text book facility. Sources said through the e-book, students will be able to access their syllabus books as per their convenience.
The university will start availability of e-books to the newly enrolled students of Bachelor of Engineering (B.Tech). Professors said that students usually spend Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 for purchasing books of only one semester. Now after providing e-books, students will be available with their syllabus books for free of cost. Expenses of the e-library will be borne by university management. On an average, university will have to spend Rs 50 per head under e text book project.
The allotment for overall project is Rs 2 crore.This will also promote digital India concept of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will also contribute in environment conservation. Professors said that students are equipped with modern phones having internet facility. Instead of hard copy, students are too interested in e-content. Through the smartphone, syllabus book will be available on a click and one can go through e book while travelling or doing a journey.
The university is working on this project from a long time. A proposal regarding e-books was also presented before Executive Council where members agreed. Dr S S Chauksey, Head of the Library at RGPV, said, “University has proposed this project for providing standard information of the syllabus. Under this e-book project, publication of popular authors will be purchased and students demand has been also noted down. Faculty’s recommendation, student interest, publisher’s suggestion, etc have been included in the project so that student gets wide range of content on each topic. Process of purchasing e-books will be initiated based on expression of interest.” RGPV would be first university ever in Madhya Pradesh having e-books on such a large scale. For using the e-content, students would be provided with user ID and password after registration.
There will be option of library where students can check their semester books. Downloading option will also be there for users. Educationist said most of students prefer to pass the degree with guide books. In many cases student avoid purchasing costlier books and they purchase guide books. In such case, students do not get sufficient knowledge of the subject. E-resources will be increasing the interest of students and also provide them wide range of solution for each topic. At the start of project, about 2 lakh students of BE and diploma would be benefiting. RGPV offers BE in 13 different branches in eight semesters of a branch, 39 different subjects usually offer to the students. In this way, university requires more than 875 subject’s books. Besides, elective and open elective subjects would also be included for the e-content.