###Demand Raised for Restoration of Offline Student Help Desk at MLSU Amid Digital Challenges

Udaipur: As higher education increasingly moves toward digital platforms, concerns regarding student accessibility and support have led to a demand for the restoration of the offline Student Help Desk at Mohanlal Sukhadia University. Representatives of the Consumer Protection Organization submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kailash Daga, urging the university administration to reinstate the facility in the interest of students.

Under the guidance of National President Dr. Rajshree Gandhi, National Coordinator Shirish Nath Mathur, State President Hemant Jha, and District President Praveen Nahar, Youth State President and former student union member Gajendra Singh Bhati met the Vice-Chancellor and highlighted the difficulties faced by students.

The memorandum noted that nearly 175,000 students are enrolled in the university and its affiliated institutions, a significant number of whom come from tribal and rural areas. Limited internet connectivity and low levels of digital literacy often make it difficult for these students to access online university services. As a result, many are forced to rely on e-Mitra centers for routine academic and administrative tasks, leading to additional expenses of both time and money.

The delegation emphasized that the offline Student Help Desk previously served as an important support system for students seeking assistance with admissions, examinations, scholarships, mark sheets, migration certificates, document verification, and various administrative procedures. In its absence, students and parents from remote areas have been facing unnecessary hardships.

National Coordinator Shirish Nath Mathur pointed out that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes the development of an inclusive and accessible higher education system. He further noted that guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission encourage universities to provide direct student support services. Existing student grievance redressal regulations also recognize the importance of offline assistance and complaint registration mechanisms.

Responding to the concerns, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kailash Daga assured the delegation that the university administration would examine the matter and initiate the necessary administrative procedures to restore the Student Help Desk. The objective, he said, is to ensure that students can access essential guidance and support directly on campus.

Education experts and stakeholders believe that reinstating the offline help desk would particularly benefit students from rural, tribal, and economically weaker backgrounds. The initiative is expected to make higher education more accessible, inclusive, and student-centric while bridging the gap between digital services and on-ground support.