Belagavi: Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Vice-Chancellor Karisiddappa said, 25 colleges affiliated to the varsity have come forward for commencing engineering courses in Kannada medium from the academic year 2022-23.

Prof Karisiddappa told reporters here that colleges accredited with the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) are eligible for starting engineering courses in regional languages. “We have 75 colleges affiliated to VTU with NBA accreditation and even if 50 colleges commence engineering education in Kannada medium, about 2,000 students will be benefitted annually,” he added.

He said, New Education Policy (NEP) has provided scope for giving engineering education in regional languages. Colleges that commence courses in Kannada medium could get 30 to 60 more seats and it’s for them to decide on the number of courses. VTU would provide textbooks and also train teachers, he stated.

He said, if the government provides reservation for engineers educated in Kannada medium, many students who have completed their school education in mother tongue could continue the education in the same medium. It would help in a better understanding of the subjects, he opined.

VTU is also introducing major and minor subjects. Students could opt for engineering as major subjects and music, yoga among 18 other credits as minor subjects and would be awarded degrees, he said.