Funds allocated to develop varsities.

The B.M. Birla Planetarium at Periyar Science and Technology Centre, Guindy, has been allocated Rs. 10 crore for modernisation, Higher Education Minister P. Palaniappan announced in the Assembly recently.

Following the debate on demands for education, Mr. Palaniappan said the planetarium would be upgraded with state-of-the-art digital technology that would be an enriching experience for viewers.

Apart from that, the Higher Education Department will develop infrastructure in the University of Madras and Tamil Nadu Open University. Sports facilities in Bharathiar and Bharathidasan University will also be improved.

Bharathiar University is the biggest beneficiary with the government planning to construct a swimming pool of international standards at a cost of Rs. 5.95 crore and a men’s and a women’s hostel, each at an estimated Rs. 5.5 crore. Each hostel will have a capacity to accommodate 160 students. The 50-metre swimming pool will help students to train themselves for competitive games , Mr. Palaniappan said.

Bharathidasan University has been allocated Rs. 1.7 crore for a women’s hostel and Rs. 2.4 crore for a fitness centre. The Minister said the centre would have scientifically calibrated equipment that would enable sportspersons enhance their abilities.

The University has been allocated Rs. 3.5 crore to establish a Deen Dayal Upadhyay centre for KAUSHAL - the Knowledge Acquisition and Upgradation of Skilled Human Abilities and Livelihood. Another Rs. 1.7 crore has been allocated to set up a national repository for microalgae and cyanobacteria. The repository will be set up on the lines of those in North America and France, with the aim of introducing students to a new field in science, Mr. Palaniappan said.

The University of Madras is all set to go green. All its buildings, including the newly constructed structures, will be illuminated using solar energy. The Higher Education Department has allocated Rs. 52.50 lakh for setting up solar panels in the university buildings. This is expected to cut sizably the electricity bills that the university currently incurs.

The government proposes to launch an undergraduate programme in food science and textile at Periyar University. The skill-based programme will train students for the industry who could also consider setting up their own units. The programme is envisaged especially for women in the economically backward Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.


THE HINDU