UAS VC for allowing Private Agri. Science Institutions

Bangalore, Jun 4 (UNI) University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) Vice Chancellor Dr P G Chengappa today appealed to the Karnataka government to bring in necessary amendment to the Agriculture Universities Act to enable private sector in establishing Agriculture Science Institutions in the State.

Talking to newsmen here, he said that Karnataka is one of the few States which is yet to allow private sector in spreading Agriculture education. Neighbouring States have brought in necessary amendment to the Act and private institutions have been established.

Dr Chengappa said that in Maharashtra over 20 private institutions have come up in private sector in Agriculture sciences and lot of investment were made in terms of research, extension and other related areas. Similarly Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh state governments have also allowed private players to enter into Agriculture Sciences sector, he said.

He said that UAS Bangalore has sent a proposal to the state government on the issue and expressed confidence that Karnataka will also not lag behind in allowing private participation in the Agri Sciences sector. He said that many private players including JSS Institution Mysore, SDM Dharmasthala and Adi Chunchanagiri educational trusts have shown interest to start Agriculture Sciences institutions and invest more funds into the sector.

Dr Chengappa said that the UAS in its attempt to attract more number of students of rural and farming community have brought changes to the existing rules for getting admissions into various courses in its campuses across 15 districts. He said that from this academic year for the first time the students seeking admissions into its campuses need not to go through the Common Entrance Test (CET) conducted by Technical education Board.

The admissions will be given to various courses under its belt purely on the basis of the marks secured in Pre University Certificate (PUC) with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and any other fourth subject. So far, only those students with PCM and Biology subjects were eligible to secure Under Graduate seats in its campuses, he added.

Dr Chengeppa said that from this academic year two new Bachelor Courses were introduced in Food Science and Agriculture Biotechnology which were treated as most emerging Agribusiness sector in the last couple of years.

UNI