Thanks to the efforts of Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Gokak will soon have its own engineering college. A constituent unit of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), the college will begin functioning this year at the Satish Sugars Academy campus on a temporary basis, with approval for three courses.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Minister Jarkiholi said, “The government engineering college will commence in September with three departments—Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and Electrical Engineering. Each will admit 60 students. VTU has appointed qualified staff, and the college will serve as a hub for students from surrounding areas such as Mudalagi, Yaragati, Hukkeri, Sankeshwar, Nesaragi, Athani, and Chikkodi.”
The college will operate from the temporary campus for two years. Jarkiholi added that MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi has promised to provide land near the APMC, where a permanent building will be constructed by the Public Works Department.
Principal Prof. Santosh Deshpande, Prakash Lakshetti, Mahesh Chikkodi, and NSF School Principal Beg were present at the announcement.
The proposal gained momentum after the ‘Vika-Gokak Development Summit’ organised by Vijaya Karnataka Daily in June during the Gokak Village Deity Fair. During the event, Minister Jarkiholi had expressed openness to establishing both engineering and medical colleges in Gokak. While welcoming the engineering college, locals have now urged the minister to push for a medical college as well.
