Lucknow: Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) is preparing to become the first university in the country to go paperless by switching over to online work. "We are going to be the first university in the country to go paperless. We are switching over to online work for most of the administrative and academic purposes," the central university's Vice Chancellor R C Sobti told PTI.

He said the work in this direction has been initiated and it would be completed within two years. Now students will not have to face hassles in getting their migration and provisional certificates and marksheets would be made available online. Biometric attendance and administrative work would also be started online, he said. This would also bring down the use of paper for academic purposes by almost 50 per cent, he said.

About the financial aspect for the work, the VC said the university has embarked on the project with its own resources and UGC will also be helping it. "We have started work from our own resources. UGC will also help us. Finance is not a problem once you are determined," he said. The availability of e-contents for students will help them and would also raise the standard of education, he said, adding various forms filled by students and their subsequent approval will be available online on the university's website.

About classroom teaching, the VC said it would be without chalk and blackboard. "Smart classrooms are being developed and the medium of lectures would be e-content and audio-visual teaching. Also, Wi-Fi facility would be provided on the campus," he said. The new system will also help parents to keep tab on activities of their wards as details of students will be sent to them on monthly basis.

With biometric attendance for teachers, students and employees in place, their details will be available online and both teachers and employees can see their attendance through a
login ID. For students having any grievance, there would be a portal on which they would be given appointment with the official or teacher concerned through e-mail, the VC added.