Gulf News
Abu Dhabi, Jun 9: Students from the south Indian state of Karnataka could be exempted from the domicile rule when seeking admission for higher education in the state, according to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who is here to participate in the Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha's Silver Jubilee Celebrations.
"As far as my knowledge goes we are not implementing the rules but when I return we will look into it and ensure such hurdles do not exist," said Kumaraswamy, the first chief minister from the state to visit the UAE.
According to the existing rules for Indian students hailing from the state but studying here in the Gulf, if at least one of their parents have studied in Karnataka for five years, then the ward should at least study in Karnataka for two continuous years during their 10 plus two schooling. Only then do they get treated as home students other wise they come under the 'non-Karnataka' list which means lesser seats and more fees.
There are 130 engineering and 30 medical colleges in the state which attracts students from all over the country as well as from Middle East.
The Karnataka chief minister was the chief guest at Abu Dhabi Kannada Sangha's (ADKS) Silver Jubilee Celebrations in the UAE Armed Forces Officers Club.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Kumaraswamy said it was his first international trip since he took over as chief minister about 100 days ago. "There are other grievances from NRIs hailing from the state and I will look into it and take positive action," he promised.
Kumaraswamy also announced that Mangalore Airport would be ready as an international airport within a month and hopefully will have direct flights to the UAE.
"From the state government's side we have done our job and now it is up to Air India to start flying," he said, adding that the sector would start operations soon.
There are over 5,000 Kannadigas in Abu Dhabi and over 25,000 in the UAE while Mangalore will also serve as a convenient airport for many part of the neighbouring Kerala state.
B R Shetty, patron of the Abu Dhabi Kannada Sangha, and C M Bhandari, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, along with ADKS President Sarvotham Shetty attended the press conference.