Stressing the importance of extensive use of Information Technology in higher education, education Minister M A Baby has said technology is essential in democratising the system of imparting knowledge.

"Such modern equipment will be necessary to bring standards of higher education on par with that of global level," he said after inaugurating Smart Class Room project and Campus Area Network at M G University here yesterday.

He said accessibility of knowledge should be made simple to ensure that downtrodden are benefited by such efforts.

The aim of the Rs 95 lakh project is to capture, store, index, preserve and redistribute knowledge assests of MGU for overall development of the Community on a long-term basis.

Six departments attained the status of Smart Classrooms, with cordless microphones, receivers, wireless interactive white boards, visual video presentation system, multi media projector and motorized screens.

The Rs One crore campus Area Network will enable students and faculty access the internet and internet based resources.