Mysuru, 10 July

Mysuru-based Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) has decided to extend free education to minority community students including Muslims along with SC/ST/OBCs students from this academic year. 

Speaking to SALAR, Professor Sharanappa V Halase, Vice Chancellor of KSOU, said that KSOU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State Minority Welfare Department in this regard.      

The department sanctioned a grant of Rs. 5 crores to provide free education in various courses of the university to six minority groups including Muslims, Sikhs, Jains and Christians. The agreement was signed on 9 July in presence of State Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahamed Khan.

This will help 4,500 minority community students studying in KSOU starting this year, Halase said.

KSOU has also started Minority Cell to facilitate the education promotion activities of minority community students studying in the varsity apart from facilitating scholarships and other benefits provided by the government. Interested candidates can apply both online after visiting its official website www.ksou.ac.in and offline after visiting nearest KSOU regional centres in every district.   

Admissions to various more than 65 courses have already commenced for the July cycle. The last date for July cycle admission is 15 September.