15K students to get laptops

BHUBANESWAR: Another 15,000 college students will receive laptops in the coming two weeks under Biju Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana. This was announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while giving appointment letters to 153 degree college teachers at a function here on Saturday. About 60,000 students have received laptops so far since 2013. Stating that the State Government has taken a number of initiatives for improving facilities in colleges, bringing up improvements in study curriculum and in examination reforms, the Chief Minister said the plus-two classes have been separated from under-graduate system.

The number of universities have increased to nine, Naveen said and added that the number of NAAC-accredited educational institutions has also gone up steadily with nine universities having A grade.
 Stating that the Government has introduced a transparent online admission system, he said as many as 1.5 lakh girl students have been trained in self-defence programme. Besides, the Government is taking special measures to increase hostel infrastructure.

 The Government is assisting about 25,000 fresh students every year under the scholarship programme, he said and added that students are being provided loan for higher education at concessional interest rate of 1 per cent under Kalinga Sikshya Sathi Yojana.