By K R Sreenivas

BANGALORE: After taking IT to rural areas through the yuva.com scheme, the government now plans to make Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes graduates computer-savvy.

And to achieve this objective, the government has structured a one-year training programme in association with Aptech, CMC, SSI and government-owned Keonics, at the end of which the students will be given a post-graduate diploma.

An objective type entrance test is being held for the SC/ST students on July 1. A total of 3,000 SC and 1,000 ST students will be selected for the course.

Of this, 30 per cent of the seats will be reserved for women. The course will start at all these centres from July 5.

The government will fund the course and other expenditure for 100 SC/ST students in each of the districts every year. Apart from paying the course fee of Rs 15,000 per annum for each student, the candidate will be given a monthly stipend of Rs 500. The government has earmarked Rs 10 crore for the project.

The students are free to opt for any of the listed centres. The government has signed an MoU to facilitate the same. ``We will pay the fee to the institute the student chooses.''

Those who obtain over 70 per cent and have an attendance of over 90 per cent will be eligible for a placement after they pass the examination. Each student will be given an opportunity to attend at least three interviews. ``It is up to them after that to get a job,'' sources said.

In addition, the students will also be made to go through a grill of how to face interviews and given training in basic communication skills. Also, since a large number of students will be from Kannada medium, they will be given guidance in English.

The Social Welfare department is also structuring a course at the undergraduate level for the SC/ST students.