PANAJI
With iron ore mining operations regaining momentum in the State, the Goa College of Engineering (GEC) is preparing to revive its Mining Engineering programme, nearly seven years after admissions were suspended in 2019 due to a prolonged slump in the sector and lack of student enrolment.
Signalling renewed confidence in the industry’s revival, the State’s premier government-run technical institute has proposed a dedicated scholarship scheme to attract students back to the discipline – with special focus on candidates from mining-affected regions. The College has formally sought financial assistance of over Rs 3 crore under the District Mineral Funds (DMF).
According to official records, GEC has submitted a proposal to the North Goa District Mineral Foundation (NGDMF) and the South Goa District Mineral Foundation (SGDMF), seeking Rs 1.6 crore from each district over a period of seven years to fund scholarships for students enrolling in Mining Engineering. The proposal envisages sponsorship for 10 students annually from mining-affected areas, covering four batches from the academic year 2026-27 to 2031-32.
“The proposal was received from the GEC for provision of scholarships to students from mining-affected areas. The proposal amount is Rs 1.6 crore to be released over a period of seven years,” the records state.
College representatives informed NGDMF and SGDMF authorities that the initiative aims to encourage students to opt for Mining Engineering, particularly in view of the anticipated expansion of mining operations in the coming years.
During deliberations, members observed that while scholarships could be considered, the benefit should ideally extend to students pursuing professional courses across streams, with selection based on merit and means. However, the College requested that special weightage be accorded to students opting for Mining Engineering to ensure revival of the specialised discipline.
It was also noted that the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) guidelines permit financial assistance to students from mining-affected areas pursuing higher education in government and government-aided institutions, though allocations under the education sector are reportedly nearing exhaustion.
The Foundation chairpersons have directed authorities to draft a comprehensive scholarship scheme covering professional courses, with specific emphasis on Mining Engineering, and place it before the Governing Council for consideration.
GEC established a dedicated Mining Engineering Department in 2011, affiliated to Goa University, offering a full-fledged undergraduate programme with an intake capacity of 60 seats. While the course witnessed strong response in its initial years, enrolment declined sharply following suspension of mining activities in 2012 and again in 2018, eventually forcing the College to suspend admissions in 2019.
In 2024–25, the institute made its first attempt to revive the course, but with only a single applicant, it found the programme financially unviable to resume.
Since April 2024, seven iron ore mineral blocks have commenced operations, while five more are in the pipeline. The government is also set to auction four additional mineral blocks next month. The Bicholim mineral block was the first to resume fresh extraction in April 2024, followed by Fomento Resources at the Advalpal–Thivim block in December the same year. Three more blocks became operational last year, while two have commenced operations recently.
