Disadvantaged students receive tablets for e-learning

Aligarh: Disruption caused by Covid-19 is no longer a hurdle for the girl students from lower-economic strata at the Women’s College of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). They are being provided with free tablets for access to online classes amid the pandemic.

At least 550 tablets have been purchased with a generous contribution by the Aligarh Alumni Association, Greater Chicago, USA. The Association has donated Rs 60 lakhs for the purchase of gadgets to provide the Women’s College students from financially weaker backgrounds with technology mediated and digitally empowered learning during the Covid pandemic. These donations were made after the appeal of AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Tariq Mansoor.

Distributing 30 tablets to the first group of disadvantaged students indentified by a committee under the supervision of Prof Naima K Gulrez (Principal, Women’s College); renowned paediatrician, Dr Hameeda Tariq said that with the free tablets, underprivileged students will now fully utilise simplified and synergistic technology bolstered learning process.

Expressing gratitude to Aligarh Alumni Association, Greater Chicago for the munificent grant, Prof Naima Gulrez informed that students who are from other cities and states will receive their tablets through insured courier services.

Prof M M Sufyan Beg, Chairman, Aligarh Alumni Association said that the initiative has bridged the digital divide between students of various economic backgrounds in terms of availability of resources, essential for the access of online classes.

Prof Imrana Naseem emphasised that it is the need of the hour to support students from marginalised sections.