Udupi: Dr G. Shankar Government Women’s First Grade College and Postgraduate Study Centre at Ajjarakadu is set to get two additional hostels for women students, Minister for Backward Classes Welfare and Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi has said.
Tangadagi made the announcement during his visit to the college on September 25, where he interacted with students and spoke about the importance of education and academic excellence. The proposed hostels are expected to strengthen residential facilities for women students at the government college.
The minister said steps would be taken to construct the two additional hostels, addressing a key infrastructure requirement for students pursuing higher education at the institution.
Minister assures students of hostel facilities
During his interaction with students, Tangadagi urged them to concentrate on their studies and strive for academic excellence.
The assurance regarding two new hostels is significant for students who require residential accommodation while pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the Ajjarakadu campus.
Government colleges often cater to students from different parts of a district and neighbouring areas, making hostel infrastructure an important part of access to higher education. Additional accommodation can help more students continue their education without having to depend on private accommodation.
The minister’s announcement comes as the college continues to expand its academic and extracurricular activities.
College hosts students from across Udupi district
Dr G. Shankar Government Women’s First Grade College and Postgraduate Study Centre is located at Ajjarakadu in Udupi.
The institution offers higher education opportunities to women students and also has a postgraduate study centre. The college has been involved in academic, cultural and sports activities.
The institution’s students have also participated in inter-collegiate sporting events. On September 23 and 24, three students from the college won medals at the Mangalore University Inter-Collegiate Wrestling Competition, with the college finishing as the overall first runner-up. Adithi Shetty won gold in the 65-kg category, Disha D. Salian secured silver in the 68-kg category and Maneeksha won bronze in the 59-kg category.
Government highlights development plans
During his visit, Tangadagi also referred to the State government’s development initiatives in the coastal region.
He said the State government had sanctioned Rs 32,000 crore for various development works across three coastal districts. The minister highlighted the government’s focus on development while addressing the students.
The announcement of the two hostels is part of the broader emphasis on improving facilities for students at government educational institutions.
Additional hostel capacity could particularly benefit students who travel from rural and distant parts of Udupi district for higher education.
College officials attend interaction
Several college officials and other dignitaries were present during the minister’s visit.
Those present included former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, Dr Roshan Kumar Shetty, Assistant Director of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Udupi district, college principal Prof. Nikethana, Student Welfare Officer Prof. Rajendra K., IQAC Coordinator Prof. Shreemathi Adiga, Prof. P.B. Prasanna, Dr Mani Bhushan and Jayalinga Murthy.
Teaching and non-teaching staff members and students also participated in the programme.
Focus on women’s higher education
The proposed hostels are expected to improve the residential infrastructure available to women students at the Ajjarakadu college.
For students from outside Udupi town, access to safe and affordable accommodation can be an important factor when choosing higher education institutions. Expanding hostel capacity can therefore support greater participation in undergraduate and postgraduate education.
The announcement also comes amid continued attention to facilities at government colleges, including accommodation, academic infrastructure and opportunities for extracurricular activities.
Two new hostels planned at Ajjarakadu
The construction of two additional hostels will add to the existing residential infrastructure at Dr G. Shankar Government Women’s First Grade College and Postgraduate Study Centre.
Further details regarding the project, including the number of students to be accommodated, construction timeline and funding allocation, were not specified in the reports available on the minister’s announcement.
The proposed facilities are expected to provide additional accommodation once construction is taken up and completed.
For the students and college administration, the announcement marks a step towards strengthening campus infrastructure and supporting women pursuing higher education in Udupi.