Dharwad: Highlighting the need to increase the strength of the graduates in the state, Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddi said that the state government was aiming to bring the graduates population to about 40 percent (which is 36% at present) in the coming years.
Speaking as the chief guest at the centenary celebration of the Karnatak College, Dharwad on November 25, the minister said that to realise this, the government was on the spree to set up residential colleges in every district.
“This year, the chief minister has given the nod for the opening of 12 such residential colleges and the remaining 18 too will get a nod in the next budget”, he said.
Stressing on students’ higher education and research, he said that the government had decided to give laptops to first year students of different streams including BA, BCom, BSc, engineering and medical. “Besides this, the government intends to provide free education to girls till the masters degree level”, he said.
The minister assured that grants to the tune of Rs 40 Crore would be given for various developmental works in the college.
“The government has already agreed to sanction Rs 25 Crore to the college of which Rs 10 Crore would be released during the first phase. However, the college has sought an additional Rs 15 Crore which will also be awarded by the government during next budget”, he said.
