Raichur varsity to boost higher education in HK region

The state will soon have two new Universities- Raichur University and Skill University. The state budget for 2017-18 focuses on improving infrastructure for higher education with an outlay of Rs 4,401 crore for higher education.

The budget proposes to establish Raichur University by bifurcating the Gulbarga University. The proposed university will have colleges in Raichur and Yadgir districts affiliated to it. This is to encourage higher education in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in his budget speech.

Skill University would be established under PPP model for promoting research on vocational training, training of trainers besides development of curriculum. However, the budget does not specify where the varsity would come up.

This is being developed under the Skill Development Mission which is yet to be launched. The mission has an allocation of Rs 200 crore.

As Hampi Kannada University celebrates its silver jubilee this year, Rs 25 crore has been allocated to upgrade basic infrastructure and development. Also, in an attempt to fill the gap in basic infrastructure, medium-term financial plan would be implemented.

Also, Rs 25 crore to be provided to University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering Bengaluru, and Rs 5 crore for Karnatak College, Dharwad.

To provide a boost to education in rural sector and among backward and economically weaker sections, the chief minister announced setting up of 25 new government polytechnics, at a cost of Rs 4 crore each. Rs 3 crore will be provided for Vemana Chair, Karnatak University. Rajashree Sahu Maharaj Study Chair to be established in the university.

Medical Education
Medical Education budget focuses on establishment of medical colleges and hospitals. This year, six medical colleges are expected in Chitradurga, Bagalkot, Haveri, Yadgir, Chikkaballapur and Chikkamagaluru.