State government’s proposal to set up engineering colleges in the state with an aim to improve the quality of technical education for students with subsidised fees has come as jolt to private colleges in the state operating with poor infrastructure and inadequate teaching staff.
Even as the Supreme Court's verdict on National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for medical and dental courses is awaited, private colleges have started conducting their own entrance exams. Caught in the middle of the Centre versus state tussle are thousands of students who have no idea what the future holds for them.
Following the footsteps of private engineering colleges, private medical colleges have demanded a hike in the fees of under graduate medical course seats obtained through CET 2013.
The managements of private engineering colleges are of the view that arriving at an agreement with the government on the fee structure and seat sharing matrix for CET, 2013 will be difficult unless it considers hiking fees in private colleges.
Minister for Higher Education C.T. Ravi on Wednesday told the Legislative Assembly that all private universities in the State have to set aside 40 per cent of seats for students from Karnataka and follow the reservation system as per government orders.
Tabling of Private Universities Bill raised a furore in the legislative council on Thursday, with JD(S) leader M C Nanaiah alleging a ‘business deal’ was being struck, to allow setting up private universities in the state.
The Legislative Council on Tuesday gave its nod for setting up three more private universities in the State, CMR University, New Baldwin University and Presidency University.
After the state legislative assembly passed a bill paving the way for a private university, Techno India University, last year, the state cabinet on January 19 approved proposals for setting up more private universities here.
The State government, under fire for the hurried passing of Bills allowing over 15 private universities to be set up, has given them permission to acquire educational institutions, albeit with its prior approval.