Ranchi: The state govt would set up multifunctional students’ resource centres (SRC) and digitise libraries at all universities to help students prepare for competitive exams and campus interviews apart from covering their regular curriculum.The department budget statement passed by the state assembly during the recently held budget session stated, “The SRCs would operate round the clock to provide flexibility to students to study at any time based on their schedule. The centres would also provide resources for competitive examinations. Dedicated study spaces within universities will help improve students’ focus and academic performance.”Out of the 283 SRCs planned in the state, 254 have been established, but those would be modernised.Principal secretary of the higher education department, Rahul Purwar said, “The SRC would be one-point centre of all information for the students. They could gather information about new courses to be launched in the colleges, placement opportunities and other college activities. It would also help the students prepare resume for various placements and internship courses.”Students’ union would also hold its meetings here, adding that the students could also access the digital libraries from here. A common service centre in SRCs would provide digital services for booking of railway tickets and other digital activities, he added.Giving opinion on SRC, Doranda College principal R K Sharma said, “The SCR is a good initiative as it would be helpful for students, particularly those coming from the middle or lower strata of the society.”The budget also aims to automate and upgrade all libraries of state universities and affiliate colleges to turn them into fully functional digital libraries. “The initiative would enable seamless digital access to academic resources, research databases, e-books and institutional repositories, thereby strengthening the academic and research ecosystem of the state,” said the govt plan.
