PANAJI
In a major push to revive the Mining Engineering programme in the State, the North Goa District Mineral Foundation (NGDMF) has approved a Rs 1.6-crore scholarship scheme proposed by the Goa College of Engineering (GEC) to attract students back to the discipline, admissions to which were suspended in 2019 amid a prolonged downturn in the mining sector and poor enrolment.
Scholarship support
The NGDMF Governing Council, at its meeting on Tuesday, approved financial assistance over seven years for students enrolling in Mining Engineering. The scheme will provide scholarships to 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 GCE 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,” official records state.
GEC had sought financial assistance of over Rs 3 crore from the District Mineral Funds of North and South Goa for the initiative. College representatives told NGDMF authorities that the scheme would encourage students to opt for Mining Engineering in view of the anticipated expansion of mining activities in the State.
The meeting noted that the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana guidelines allow financial assistance to students from mining-affected areas pursuing higher education in government and government-aided institutions. However, allocations under the education sector are reportedly nearing exhaustion.
Course revival
GEC established its dedicated Mining Engineering Department in 2011, offering a 60-seat undergraduate programme affiliated with Goa University. However, enrolment declined sharply following the suspension of mining activities in 2012 and again in 2018, eventually forcing the college to suspend admissions in 2019. The institute attempted to revive the programme in 2024-25 but received only one application, making its continuation financially unviable.
Renewed mining
With seven iron ore mineral blocks commencing operations since April 2024 and five more in the pipeline, the college has now sought to align the course with the expected revival of the mining sector.
Community projects
The NGDMF meeting also approved new projects worth over Rs 6 crore for mining-affected communities, including smart classrooms and a Digital Learning Centre at Government Polytechnic, Bicholim. Proposals for additional subsidies for rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana and support for farmers in mining-affected areas were also cleared.
