Pramesh S Jain & Dr B Thomas (Special correspondent)
The meeting to oversee the implementation of budget programmes related to the Higher Education department for the year 2022-23 chaired by the Chief Minister took many important decisions and the highlights of the meeting are as given below.
* It has been decided to upgrade 7 Engineering Colleges to the standards of Karnataka Institutes of Technology(KITs).
* The colleges with good infrastructure, teaching faculty and hostel facilities would be chosen for upgradation to KIT standards.
* Proposal to be submitted for including Gulbarga Engineering College under this project.
* The Chief Minister instructed upgradation of Kalaburgi Engineering College in Kalyana Karnataka Region,Haveri and Uttara Kannada Engineering Colleges in Kittur Karnataka region, KR Pete and Kodagu Engineering Colleges in Mysuru region,SKSJTI and Ramanagara Engineering Colleges in Bengaluru Division.
* Karnataka Institutes of Technology should be upgraded to NIT standards by next year.They should be developed as institutions of excellence in various subjects,Bommai instructed.
* R & D and employment opportunities should get prominence in KITs.
* Selection of engineering colleges, having a Logo for them and their branding should be of high standards.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has instructed for setting up a Task Force to upgrade 7 Engineering Colleges on the lines of Indian Institutes of Technology(IITs).
As for upgrading some of the Engineering Colleges to the standards of Karnataka Institute of Technology, Bommai wanted the constitution of a committee within the next 2 days comprising retired Directors and academic experts of NIts and IITs.
The Chief Minister asked the officials to utilise the services of prominent IT companies and captains of industry to guide the KITs.
