CHENNAI, APRIL 12
The Tamil Nadu government plans to open ten new arts and science colleges across the state and will focus higher education on increasing enrollment, improving students’ skills, and increasing their employability, according to state Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi, who spoke to the Assembly on Monday.
The colleges would be built at a cost of Rs 166.5 crore, according to the minister, and will make higher education more accessible to rural students as well as students from state-run schools who are now receiving a monthly grant of Rs 1,000 to pursue their collegiate studies.
The new Tamil Nadu colleges will come up in Manapparai, Gingee, Thalli, Thirumayam, Anthiyur, Aravakurichi, Thirukattupalli, Reddiyarchatiram, Vadalur, and Sriperumbudur.
Chief Minister MK Stalin awarded a financial grant to state government school stduents to assist them in pursuing higher education.
“Based on the chief minister’s guidance, the focus of the education has shifted to improving the enrollment of students, enhancing their skills and employability,” Ponmudi said.
To conclude the debate on his department’s request for funds, the minister stated that a world skill academy and a smart manufacturing technology centre will be constructed in six government polytechnic institutes at a cost of Rs 10 crore apiece.
At a cost of Rs 50 crore, the government plans to build a research park with incubation centres at Anna University, which will benefit roughly 20,000 students.
The minister announced 27 new initiatives, including allowing diploma holders to lateral into second-year engineering courses, the introduction of industry skill-based courses for Anna University BE, BTech, and MCA students through IBM and the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation, and the establishment of a marine sports and tourism centre at the Alagappa University’s Thondi campus.
The announcements included the construction of new hostels for students on the Alagappa University campus, women research scholars and PG students on the Bharathiar University campus, women students on the Anna University campus, a new hostel at the University of Madras Marina campus, and a women’s hostel at the Bharathidasan University Khajamalai campus.
Anna University will construct eleven centres, including one for robotics and automation, the internet of things, cyber security, and e-vehicle technologies, according to the ministry.
Presidency College in Chennai will begin offering an MCom course for differently-abled students with hearing impairment.
Meanwhile, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi claimed the ‘Illam Thedi Kalvi’ scheme, which was designed to bridge the learning gaps that developed as a result of the pandemic’s imposed lockdown, drew an overwhelming response from almost 30 lakh pupils.
“Apart from 25.45 lakh children of state government schools, the scheme attracted about 3.96 lakh students of private schools besides those from CBSE and aided schools,” he said.
Poyyamozhi declared that at a cost of Rs 210 crore, high-tech computer laboratories will be installed in 2,713 middle schools, benefiting around 10 lakh pupils and staff.
In the first phase of a four-year plan to develop smart classrooms in all government primary schools, about 7,500 smart classrooms will be established at a cost of Rs 150 crore in all government primary schools.
Among the numerous announcements were the establishment of English language laboratories in government high and higher secondary schools for Rs 30 crore, the establishment of a school of excellence in Chennai for Rs 7 crore, and the establishment of an annual Anna Excellence Award for 100 best school headmasters.
He said the government would establish a computer coding club and a robotics club, teach students in ethical hacking, and hold a state-level hackathon to pique students’ interest in the latest technologies.
