Agartala, Sep 16 (TIWN): Aiming at imparting free higher education to minority students, the Minority Welfare Department this year provided opportunities for higher education to a total of 150 minority students, stated Moslem Uddin Ahmed, Joint Director of Minority Welfare Department.

Out of total 150 minority students, 11 students were sent to Swami Vivekananda Institute of Engineering and Technology at Patiala, Punjab for 4 years Engineering course and 10 students were sent for 3 years Diploma course.

The expenses for Engineering course and Diploma course stands at Rs 4.30 lakh and Rs 2.75 lakh respectively. Besides, altogether 17 students have taken admission at Tripura Institute of Para-Medical Science, Hapania and the expense for 2-3 years course was estimated at Rs 1.32 lakh.

Apart from these, the Minority Welfare Department has taken initiative to send 112 students for B.Sc Nursing course. Out of 112 students, 100 students would be sent for GNM Nursing course and 12 would be sent to B.Sc Nursing course. A total of 23 students were already sent. The remaining 89 would be sent to Bangalore shortly. The total expense for the 3-year GNM Nursing course has been estimated at Rs 2.56 lakh. The B.Sc Nursing course is a 4-year course and the expense for the course was estimated at Rs 4.49 lakh.

The expenditure for all the courses would be carried out by Minority Welfare Department. The concerned educational institute would carry out the students’ fare once in a year. Also, the concerned institute would carry out the medical expenditure of the students. A total of 388 girl students were sent outside the state till date for GNM and B.Sc Nursing.