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NASSCOM, in fact, is very willing to contribute towards this effort. The private
sector meanwhile is already participating quite actively in the educational segment
in Gujarat. Industrial houses such as Nirma, Reliance, the Sarabhai Group and
others have been pitching in, in the education arena with funding and investments.
This trend has to be encouraged and further participation solicited.
The other good news in the Budget has been about 100 percent tax exemption
on contributions to engineering colleges. This new clause will further spur private
sector involvement in Gujarat’s educational sector. One must admit that last year,
the Gujarat government was very keen to increase seats in its engineering colleges.
However, reportedly, it was AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education)
which dragged its feet. In such matters, approval should be quickly granted. Increased
private sector participation in Gujarat’s educational fabric meanwhile is likely to
improve the overall level of IT education, right across the school and college canvas.
Armed with this educational arsenal, the state can hope to build up a vast battery
of engineering and computer talent, so desperately needed for fueling Gujarat’s
ambitions in the global software and services marketplace. The other big
announcement that the Finance Minister has made regarding the education sector
in the current Budget relates to providing educational loans for students to pursue
higher education. The loans will range from Rs. 7-14 lakhs and a major participation
will come from the banking sector in this activity. The Government of Gujarat
needs to work with the Indian Banks Association to persuade it to push the case in
the major cities across the state. Not only that, even in the smaller towns and
villages, plans can be mooted where one bank is made the champion of this scheme.
The Government of Gujarat will also have to look at special programs for women
in its educational blueprint.
The women of Gujarat, once empowered, can prove to be a significant force in
the IT revolution sweeping the state.
They can be very gainfully employed in areas
such as IT-enabled services, where educated, skilled women will have the option to
participate in the Internet economy from within the comfort of their homes.
Special IT courses for women then are going to be a must and the Gujarat
government must invest in this segment.
All in all, Gujarat has to look at strengthening its basic building block, its education
sector. If the foundations of education are robust, the façade that stands on it will
be strong as well.
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