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Friday, Dec 12, 2008
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COMED-K test on its way out?

Staff Reporter

Government initiates talks to combine CET and UGET

Government says the move is to help students
Another meeting on the matter has been scheduled for January 13

Bangalore: The State Government is exploring the possibility of combining the Common Entrance Test (CET) and Under-Graduate Entrance Test (UGET), conducted by the Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMED-K). This was one of the major topics discussed at a preliminary meeting between CET officials and managements of private engineering colleges, here on Thursday.

Another meeting

Arvind Limbavali, Minister for Higher Education, who chaired the meeting, told presspersons that the Government had just initiated discussions. “The managements have asked for time as they cannot take decisions unilaterally. We have scheduled another meeting on January 13. We will see what they propose and take it forward,” he said.

He said the Government’s proposal stems from the intention to reduce the burden on students.

“The Government has decided to conduct CET over two days. Counselling will also be conducted in two places other than Bangalore. These initiatives have been taken for the benefit of the students,” he said.

Medical seats

The Minister said that the discussions with regard to medical seats were not held. “Minister for Medical Education Ramachandra Gowda has gone to the U.S. along with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa. We will discuss medical education during the January 13 meeting,” he added. The meeting did not discuss seat-sharing, he said.

On fee subsidy for engineering students from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, he said several of the students had received subsidy only for one year. Students had been urging the Government to provide the subsidy for the remaining three years. “The issue will be placed before the Cabinet,” he added.

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