Higher Education Minister R.V. Deshpande on Wednesday said the government had plans to increase the percentage of students taking up higher education to 35 by 2020. At present, 25 per cent of students in the State take up higher studies, while the national average was 21 per cent, the Minister said after inaugurating the postgraduate study centre of the Government First Grade College for Women in Holenarsipur.
He said though the State average was 25 per cent, in many parts of north Karnataka, the percentage of students taking up higher studies was 14. The State government had decided to strengthen infrastructure in colleges to address this problem. “We have begun the process of recruiting 2,200 assistant professors. Besides this, we have allocated Rs. 20 crore to upgrade laboratories in government engineering colleges. There is a need to adopt advance tools in teaching,” he said.
In the last two years, the Minister said 100 first grade colleges got the National Accreditation Assessment Council (NAAC) recognition. The government had provided smart class and tele-education systems in all colleges. The intention was to ensure students listen to classes even if the lecturers were on leave, he said.
Mr. Deshpande sang praises of the former Prime Minister and Hassan MP H.D. Deve Gowda, who was present at the programme. In response, Mr. Gowda praised Mr. Deshpande. H.D. Revanna, MLA, and K.S. Rangappa Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore, were among those present.
At present, 25 p.c. of students in State take up higher studies, while the national average is 21 p.c.
