Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to digitally inaugurate Rs 20 crore grant for the Govind Guru Tribal University in Banswara, Rajasthan, as part of the Prime Minister's Higher Education Campaign "PRADHAN MANTRI UCHCHATAR SHIKSHA  ABHIYAN (PM Usha)." PM Modi is scheduled to digitally inaugurate the grant on February 20, 2024. The grant aims to bolster the university's infrastructure, academic resources and research capabilities. 

The Chancellor of the university, Prof. Keshav Singh Thakur, revealed that proposals were solicited from universities worldwide under the PM Usha Campaign, and the university accepted proposals from various institutions across the country. This substantial funding is poised to elevate the academic, research and physical infrastructure of the university, benefiting all students.

The grant will be utilized for infrastructure development, procurement of laboratory equipment and modernization of labs. Notably, the funds will facilitate the establishment of smart labs for five departments in the Academic Block, Housing Essential Classrooms, Conference Halls, and Departmental Facilities.

Prof. Thakur emphasized that the inauguration ceremony will witness the participation of prominent Chief Secretaries from all states and Union Territories, Chancellors, representatives, members of associations, and students from across the nation. The allocated funds will be utilized for the purchase of laboratory materials, smart labs, a fully equipped e-conference hall, IT lab, furniture, and digital and e-learning resources.

This initiative underscores the government's commitment to advancing higher education and research infrastructure across the nation, ensuring inclusive growth and development in the education sector. The grant signifies a significant stride towards fostering academic excellence and research innovation at the Govind Guru Tribal University. 

What is PM Usha Scheme?

Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) was a program by the government to help states and union territories improve their higher education institutions. Its goal was to make sure more people could access higher education, make it fair for everyone, and make the quality better. It also aimed to make the system work better by being more efficient, transparent, accountable, and responsive. The expansion of government and government-aided institutions across states and union territories encompasses the surge in demand for higher education. This surge has led to an unparalleled increase in the number of institutions, universities, and the overall student population in the country.