T.S. Sridhar, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Government of Tamil Nadu has said Tamil Nadu is a front-runner in providing free education at the launch of the counseling for 2012-13 B. Tech admission at SASTRA University. He further said, in Tamil Nadu free education is offered at the school level and now being extended to higher education
The government is committed to providing access, equity and excellence in the field of higher education, said T.S. Sridhar.
Mr. Sridhar said that access was provided in higher education by increasing the number of centers of education in the State.
There are 560 engineering colleges, 500 polytechnics, and 620 colleges in the State. Scholarship and hostel facilities are provided for poor. Excellence is achieved through various facilities, including IT-enabled services. Provision of laptops to students of higher education is a pioneering effort by the government that revolutionises rural education.
The aim of the government is to make the State first in the country in innovation and excellence in higher education.
He appreciated SASTRA University for its innovative and transparent admission policy. “SASTRA has made a mark not only in Tamil Nadu but also in the country.” Merit can be achieved by students through hard work, commitment, sincerity, and honesty.
