The Gauhati University, in collaboration with NTPC Limited, started an information communication training centre (ITC) at the department of disability study on Wednesday. The aim behind this training centre is to encourage students with disability to pursue higher education in the field of science and technology.

Power minister Pradyut Bordoloi, who inaugurated the centre, said, “It is really a memorable day as such a training centre would definitely help differently abled students to pursue higher education in science and technology.”

The centre would have computers with several assisted devices and software to enable visually challenged students to use computers. At present, a course on computer literacy and a foundation course in science and technology have been introduced and about 20 students have enrolled for the course.

OK Medhi, vice chancellor of GU, said, “There is no scope for higher education for the people with disabilities and their education is confined till school level only. So, we wanted to provide them scope to pursue science and technology. Right now, we have introduced two courses. But in the coming years, we plan to diversify our courses and a PhD in science for disabled students is also on the anvil. As of now, we are taking one step at a time.”

Kishore Mohan Bhattacharyya, the head of the department of disability studies, said, “The NTPC has indeed done a great job and we hope that the students would be able to have proper exposure to science and technology.”

Chitrani Medhi, course co-ordinator of NTPC foundation, said, “One of the most challenging work for the disabled is to learn how to use computers, science and technology. So, this centre would help them in learning new technology.”