The coal hub of Kothagudem, the miners den is soon to be the headquarters of a new district to be carved out of Khammam, is all set to become a major technical education hub with the prestigious ambitious proposal to upgrade University College of Engineering (Kakatiya University) into a university fast gaining momentum.
The University College of Engineering has a huge campus spread in about 397 acres in the coal town, considered a huge wide mega industrial hub of the State.
Originally established as Kothagudem School of Mines under the Osmania University jurisdiction during the tenure of the then Chief Minister Jalagam Vengala Rao in 1978, the institute became part of Kakatiya University following promulgation of an ordinance redefining the jurisdictions of the universities in 1995, sources said.
The college subsequently introduced B.Tech (EEE), B.Tech (CSE), M.Sc (Tech) and two self-finance courses in IT and ECE branches apart from the B.Tech (Mining) course. Paucity of funds created severe strain on the finances of the university college over the years.
The students of the university college and the inmates of the college-attached hostel made a series of representations to the authorities and public representatives seeking provision of requisite amenities in the institution.