Deshpande bats for educational reforms

State govt nod for 5 new courses in Mangalore University

“A proposal will be built by the State government towards the establishment of innovation clubs at engineering, medical and diploma colleges in the State as a part of skill development programmes based upon the guidelines given by Central Government,” said Higher Education and Tourism Minister R V Deshpande.

 
Addressing press persons in SDM College of Business Management here on Sunday, he told that the State government will give stress on skill development in students and added that thrust is on quality education in the recently presented state budget.

MU to get 5 new courses

The minister said that the State government has given its approval to introduce five new courses in Mangalore University from next academic year. Diploma and certificate course in Kodava language and culture, MA in Bharathanatyam, Certificate course in Radio isotopes in Biological sciences, Certificate course in Visual Arts and two years masters degree in Food Sciences and Nutrition will be the new courses. Among these, certificate course in Radio isotopes and Biological sciences will be conducted Mangalore University campus, he said and added that the last date to submit the proposals by aspiring colleges, has been extended to August 15.

Upcoming schemes

“The government is thinking of providing autonomous status to the eligible colleges. Also, incentives and additional sections will be provided to the degree colleges whose results are 10 per cent more than that of the average result of the university,” Deshpande said and added that a loan scheme will be implemented for financially backward students whose family income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh per annum. As per the scheme, a time limit of three years will be provided to repay the education loans availed by the bank, if the student does not get a job after the completion of education. The scheme aims at attracting financially backward youth towards higher education. However, these schemes proposed in the budget, will be detailed before bringing them into force. The schemes will be aimed at increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 30 per cent in 2020, which is at present 18 per cent in India, he added.

Carryover system

Responding to a query, the minister told that the issue on the present carryover system of Polytechnic education has been discussed in the legislative meeting.

 “Though the government is willing to help the students, as the High Court divisional bench has already given out an order regarding the carryover system, the next step will be taken after seeking the opinion of the Advocate General,” he said.