A programme worth Rs. 2,500 crores will be launched over the next four years, aimed at strengthening first-grade colleges, establishing a Centre of Excellence, and enhancing research capabilities in Karnataka, chief minister Siddaramaiah said while announcing the budget on Friday.

New nursing colleges will be established in Yalburga, Jevargi, and Yadgir with funding from KKRDB, each with an investment of Rs. 6 crores.

Bangalore City University will be renamed Dr. Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University, Siddaramaiah said. To transform it into a model university, Government Arts College and Government R.C. College will become constituent colleges of this university.

Additionally, a constituent college of Vishweshwaraiah Technological University will be established in Chintamani Taluk, Chikkballapur district, with an investment of Rs. 150 crores.

31 women’s higher education institutions were upgraded, and 26 more will get Rs. 26 crores for infrastructure improvements. The state will fill 2,000 vacant teaching positions in Government First Grade Colleges, Engineering Colleges, and Polytechnics. Rs. 275 crores will enhance infrastructure in these institutions, and newly established colleges will receive Rs. 10 crores for furniture and equipment. Under the Chevening Karnataka Master’s Scholarship, girl students will be sent to top UK universities for a one-year postgraduate programme.

To enhance employability, professional subject experts will be appointed as Professors of Practice in 16 Government Engineering Colleges. The UUCMS software will be upgraded at a total cost of Rs. 30 crores.

In partnership with the Azim Premji Foundation, reorientation training will be provided to all teachers in the Department of Collegiate Education over the next three years to improve teaching and learning. Furthermore, in collaboration with industry partners, internship and corporate training programmes will be developed to provide market-based skills training to students of government educational institutions, preparing them for employment. A special skill development programme will be launched for 23,000-degree college students at a cost of Rs. 10 crores by KKRDB.

Plans are also underway to establish a constituent medical college of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Bagalkot and a PPP-based medical college in Kolar.

Also read: Karnataka Budget: New programmes for learning improvement, better nutrition for school children