Team Goemkarponn
SANKHALI: In a major push to strengthen technical education, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant announced that the Goa government will finance 75 per cent of tuition fees for eligible engineering students pursuing courses in the state.
The financial assistance will be available to students enrolled in both government and private engineering colleges, including institutions such as Rajeswar College of Engineering and Don Bosco College of Engineering. Applications for the scheme can be submitted through the CM Scholarship App/CARES portal, which has been introduced to simplify the application process.
Announcing the initiative during the inauguration of the Sankhali Engineers Association, Dr. Sawant said the scheme is intended to make engineering education more affordable and encourage more students to opt for technical careers.
He pointed out that Goa continues to face a shortage of engineering professionals, with nearly 450 engineering positions lying vacant across government departments. According to the Chief Minister, these vacancies reflect the growing need for skilled engineers and highlight the importance of increasing enrolment in engineering courses.
Dr. Sawant also expressed concern over what he described as a lack of professional engagement among some government engineers. He observed that while many perform their official responsibilities, they should also take an active role in mentoring young students, sharing knowledge and contributing to the overall development of the engineering profession.
Referring to the cost of technical education, the Chief Minister acknowledged that engineering courses are often viewed as financially demanding by students and parents. He said the new 75 per cent tuition fee support, coupled with existing scholarship programmes, would significantly ease the financial burden and make engineering education more accessible.
He encouraged engineers, particularly those from rural areas, to motivate students to pursue engineering and other emerging skill-based courses rather than limiting themselves to conventional academic streams.
Dr. Sawant said Goa requires a larger pool of qualified engineers to meet the demands of infrastructure, technology and industrial development in the coming years, and urged students to take advantage of the opportunities created through the new scheme.
The programme also marked the official launch of the Sankhali Engineers Association, where engineers from the public and private sectors exchanged experiences and discussed the future of the profession. Engineer Ankur Kankonkar also addressed the gathering, encouraging young engineers to play an active role in the state’s growth.
