State-run universities in Tamil Nadu will soon launch community colleges to re-train school dropouts and semi-skilled workers to acquire vocational qualifications.
Higher education minister K Ponmudy said each university would establish at least 10 community colleges in its jurisdiction and these would start functioning from September 1. “A policy decision on this was already announced by the government in the Assembly,” he said.
While the universities provide infrastructure and faculty support, the directorate of technical education would provide the course content and conduct the examinations, according to A Ramasamy, vice-chairman, Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education. The courses would be tailored to the needs of specific communities.