Mysuru: Over the last few years, the differently abled students have been giving more importance to higher education which also includes Engineering. A few years back, only 6 to 7 per cent differently abled took up higher education but now, it is more than 15 per cent, said B Elangovan, Principal of JSS Polytechnic for the Differently Abled.
The JSS Polytechnic for the Differently Abled located on the SJCE campus, is the first and only polytechnic institute in the country established exclusively for the differently abled under the World Bank assistance scheme of the Government of Karnataka which offers six diploma courses of three years (6 semesters) covering Architecture, Commercial Practice, Computer Science and Engineering, Jewellery Design and Technology, Electronics and Communication Engineering and Computer Applications for the visually impaired. Applications have been invited for the first year diploma courses for the year 2019-20. The eligible candidates can download the application form from the website or they can get it in person from the office. The filled applications should be submitted to this office on or before June 15. While applying, the candidates must fill the application form along with the disability certificate, Caste Certificate (if applicable), Income Certificate (if applicable), Domicile Certificate and Migration Certificate (Non- Karnataka Students).
“The Institute, as on today, has 500 students pursuing their diploma in six different disciplines. As per the approval of AICTE and the Board, only 220 candidates can be admitted to this polytechnic course for the first year. The admission is on All India basis. This process will commence in the month of June every year. Those having disabilities under orthopaedics, hearing and visual impairments are eligible to apply. The medium of instruction is English. Sign Language is commonly used in classrooms to communicate with the deaf. The students pursuing higher education has also gone up in recent years. More than 15 per cent of them prefers to take up higher education which includes engineering, B Com, BBM or B Arch. All those who study here get one or the other scholarship which includes disability scholarship, SC/ST scholarship” added Elangovan.
C Ranganathaiah, Director, Technical Education Division, JSS Mahavidyapeetha said, “JSS Mahavidyapeetha has started a Polytechnic for the Differently Abled with the aim of empowering them to lead a quality and dignified life. This is the first and only Polytechnic in the country established exclusively for the Differently Abled under the World Bank assistance scheme of the Government of Karnataka. The students are being trained in various courses with the state of the art infrastructure. JSS Polytechnic for the Differently abled has been granted autonomous status since 1999-2000. As such the curriculum, the scheme of examination and evaluation, are all governed by the rules of autonomy approved by the Govt. of Karnataka. The Diploma is awarded by the Board of Technical Examination, Govt. of Karnataka.”
He also mentioned that the entire campus is disabled friendly and that the buildings were constructed according to the World Health Organization standards. The institution has provided state of the art infrastructure including well-established labs, smart classrooms, tutorial rooms, library and other facilities like hostels (for both boys and girls), bank, health centre, cafeteria, sports and gymkhana.
80 percent placement
C Nirupama, HoD of Computer Science said, “Every year more than 80 percent of the students get placements in various firms. Counselling services, Industry Institute InteractionCcell, Placement and Training cell, and Resource Engineering Centre are also available for providing additional support to the Differently Abled. For the economically weaker students, financial assistance is arranged through scholarships and sponsorships from the government and private organisations, NGOs and individual philanthropists.
