MSU mulls smart cards to curb entry of anti-socials

Vadodara: With an aim to curb the menace of rampant trespassing by outsiders inside the campus, MS University is now mulling ways to adopt technology that can prevent entry of anti-social elements inside its premises.
In a policy decision, the university has decided to bring a change in the identity cards issued to the university students.
Currently, the identity cards issued to around 50,000 students enrolled in various faculties of the university are hard printed copies. The university is now exploring chip-enabled, or biometrics-enabled card options.
“Our campus is widespread with multiple entry and exits. Plus, we have satellite campuses as well. It is difficult to physically check and establish identity of all the students who often enter at a time at the campus,” said MSU’s registrar Dr K M Chudasama. After the recent incidents of clash between student groups and repeated controversies that pose a question mark on the lack of proper security at the campus, the university’s vigilance staff has come under scanner from several quarters.
“But if smart cards or identity cards with proper technology are introduced, we can keep a tap of all those who are entering into the campus,” he said.
Chudasama said that a proposal regarding the same was discussed during the recently held deans meeting as well. “We will now begin with a pilot project before the plan is implemented across the campus,” he said.
The university also faces problems in keeping a watch on unwanted elements as admission process differs from faculty to faculty, stretching into months together.