Model colleges in 20 districts: Limbavali

 The State and Union governments will provide a sum of Rs two crore and Rs three crore respectively for setting up colleges in backward districts, the minister told reporters here on Saturday.

The engineering seats in the State have increased to 40,000 as against 36,000 last year. Seven new engineering colleges and two deemed universities have started functioning in the State and 50 per cent of admissions to these institutions too will be done through Common Entrance Test, he said.

Intake not furnished

As many as 37 engineering colleges in the State have not furnished their intake within the stipulated deadline and hence the seats in such colleges will be filled as per last year’s matrix. However, the admission to remaining 148 colleges will be according to new rules.
The diploma quota for admission to engineering courses has been increased to 15 per cent from 10 per cent. Limbavali disclosed that upgrading UBDT college as a unit of the Visvesvaraya Technological University will be considered.

The minister revealed that a proposal has been submitted to the University Grants Commission seeking financial assistance for development of colleges affiliated to the State’s universities. “I have discussed the proposal with the UGC chairman personally,” he said.

The minister attributed non-availability of accommodation as the principal reason for failure of several universities in the State in securing UGC recognition.

He said steps have been taken improve infrastructure in all the universities including the recently-established Tumkur University.