The ambitious National Knowledge Network (NKN), a state-of-the-art network aimed at connecting all knowledge related institutions, would bring 604 universities and 35,000 colleges on a platform. As of now 400 universities and 14,000 colleges across the world had been connected under NKN.

Talking to media, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said, “Implementation of National Knowledge Network is progressing well and once completed will help overcome faculty shortage problem.”

He said noting that students presently had no choices in class rooms other than the teacher and textbooks to widen their knowledge, computer application in education would bring about radical change in the conventional educational system and provide access to multiple choices of knowledge.

The purpose of such a knowledge network goes to the very core of the country's quest for building quality institutions with requisite research facilities and creating a pool of highly trained professionals. The NKN will enable scientists, researchers and students from different backgrounds and diverse geographies to work closely for advancing human development in critical and emerging areas.