The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has sanctioned a cluster university for Kurnool under the Rashtriya Ucchatar Siksha Abhiyan (RUSA) scheme. The decision followed a meeting of the Project Approval Board in New Delhi on December 1.
The cluster university, the first of its kind in south India, will have three government colleges in Kurnool - Silver Jubilee Government College, K.V.R. Government College for Women (autonomous) and the Government Degree College for Men - as participating colleges.
“The Silver Jubilee Government College has already been identified by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as the lead college under the cluster university, as it is an institution with potential for excellence and having NAAC ‘A’ Grade with autonomous status,” Principal S. Abdul Khader said on Thursday.
Interestingly, the MHRD, in an innovative step, has come out with the concept of ‘Multi-Campus University’ within a radius of 20 km from the lead institution.
Under the project, Rs. 55 crore is to be sanctioned for the creation of need-based infrastructure to be equally shared by the constituent colleges.
Meanwhile, RUSA State Project Director S. Srikanta Natha Reddy has directed the principals of the constituent colleges to prepare a detailed project report for the speedy establishment of the cluster university.
In this backdrop, a meeting of experts was held on Thursday to decide on employable courses under the cluster university.
The meeting discussed introduction of courses in foreign trade, e-commerce, advertising and sales management, export & import management, computer applications courses and MBA in Silver Jubilee College and research-oriented integrated five-year science courses at the KVR College for Women and library science, fashion technology and physical education courses at the Government Degree College for Men.
While a School of Commerce & Management will be set up at the Silver Jubilee College, a School of Sciences will be established at the KVR Govt. College, and the Government Degree College for Men will have a School of Arts.
Estimates prepared
Proposals and estimates for creating infrastructure for the courses are being prepared. The exercise is aimed at achieving equity, accessibility and excellence in higher education by offering opportunities to socially-deprived communities and promoting the inclusion of women, minorities, SC, ST, OBC and differently-abled persons. The cluster concept is also aimed at correcting regional imbalances with focus on skill development, Dr. Abdul Khader said.
