Technical skills scheme ready

Karnataka is all set to go in for the second phase of the World Bank-sponsored Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP). The World Bank (WB) has sanctioned Rs 170 crore for implementing the first phase of the programme and for the second phase the WB has sanctioned another Rs 170 crore.

Karnataka director of technical education K Basavaraj said this at the golden jubilee celebration of K H Kabbur Institute of Engineering (polytechnic) in Dharwad on Saturday.

Speaking at the function he said that the directorate will invite all polytechnics in the state to participate in the programme. In the first phase, 14 polytechnics were allotted an average of Rs 12-13 crore each. "Karnataka is known for the large number of institutions imparting technical education. The thrust now is on quality," he said.

Basavaraj informed that the Union ministry of human resource development plans to give a big boost to technical education in the country in the Eleventh Five Year Plan. As part of the plan, the Centre will give one-time grant to the state government/private managements to start technical institutions in each district.

Former Karnataka minister S R Morey hailed the services rendered by the Janata Shikshana Samiti headed by D Veerendra Heggade.

He said that the SDM and JSS Institutions had ushered in quality education in Dharwad over last three decades. Dharwad north MP Prahlad Joshi recalling the timely help rendered by D Veerendra Heggade and his team to save JSS institutions urged the managements to take up courses to develop communication skills among the students of the region.