To provide state of the art quality teaching and learning modules and to promote research in field of technological education in the state, the Karnataka government has proposed to upgrade seven engineering colleges, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Friday.

Bommai, who presented his maiden budget as a chief minister on Friday said that these colleges will be named ‘Karnataka Institute of Technology’. To boost quality of education offered here, memorandum of understanding will be entered to with prestigious foreign universities.  

Besides, seven universities are proposed to be set up at Chamarajanagar, Bidar, Hassan, Haveri, Kodagu, Koppal and Bagalkot districts which are regarded as the educationally backward areas in the state. These are said to improve supervision of colleges.

“Maximum utilization of IT without additional requirement of manpower will make these universities different from conventional ones. The facilities available in Post Graduate centres will be utilized by these universities and the annual recurring expenditure would be Rs 2 crore each,” Bommai said.

As announced previously, the new curriculum, as per NEP 2020 will be implemented in 20,000 Anganwadis at a cost of Rs 30 crore, in co-ordination with the Department of Public Education and Department of Women and Child Welfare Development.

Having identified aspirational Talukas performing poorly in various crucial sectors, oriented efforts will be made to improve the quality of education in 93 taluks. Focus will also be on strengthening the health services in 100 talukas and alleviate child malnutrition in 102 talukas at a total cost of Rs 3,000 crore.

“Our Government has given highest priority for a holistic development of the State and for the welfare of weaker sections. We have increased the allocation for education, health, skill development and other welfare departments by Rs.6,329 crore compared to previous year,” Bommai said.

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