JU Installs QR Codes on Trees: A Digital Initiative to Disseminate Information and Enhance Campus Experience

University of Jammu has taken a unique step towards digitization of flora of the campus. This particular leap is a way forward to march with the Digital India Initiative. Under this digital drive QR codes are being installed on the plants growing in the campus. This initiative was spearheaded by the Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu,  Prof. Umesh Rai, as part of the university's commitment to incorporating innovative technology into everyday life on campus. The QR codes, which are quick response codes that can be scanned with a smartphone, provide information about the various aspects of plant species growing on the university campus. By scanning the codes, students, faculty members, and visitors can access important information about the plants including their scientific names, family, local names, and importance. During this activity, QR codes were installed on about 1600 plants on the university campus.

Stressing its religious and medicinal importance along with its role in reducing air pollution, while installing the first QR code to Ficus religiosa L. (Peepal) tree, Prof Umesh Rai, said that the Installation of QR codes on plants not only enhances the beauty of our campus but also provides valuable educational resource to our community. This initiative is just one of the many ways in which the university is leveraging technology to create a more engaging and interactive campus environment," he further added. 

The installation of QR codes on plants aligns with the university's commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. By increasing awareness about the importance of plants and their role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, the university hopes to inspire others to take action to protect the environment. In addition to serving as an educational tool, the QR codes also serve as a way to promote digital literacy on campus. By encouraging students and visitors to engage with technology in a meaningful way, the university is helping to prepare them for success in an increasingly digital world. The University of Jammu is proud to be at the forefront of innovation in higher education by doing such types of activities and looks forward to continuing to explore new ways to enhance the campus experience for all members of the university community.

QR code development has been initiated by the Department of Botany, University of Jammu with the active involvement and tremendous efforts of its research scholars and faculty members. This visionary project of the Vice chancellor, JU, Prof. Umesh Rai was completed under the guidance and leadership of Prof. Susheel Verma, Head, Department of Botany, University of Jammu. Others who were present during the occasion were Prof. Susheel Verma, Head, Department of Botany, Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, faculty members, research scholars, and students of the Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu.