In a novel initiative that will help visually challenged students, the city-based 'Devnar Foundation for the Blind' is planning to start an exclusive engineering college for the blind.

Despite being visually-impaired, many students are highly motivated to pursue engineering courses and there are several success stories, A Saibaba Goud, Devnar Foundation's Managing Trustee, commented.

“Some of our children are highly motivated to follow engineering courses. One of our students is studying engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT), Boston. All of them have motivated more children, who are asking for engineering courses,” he added.

The visually-challenged children are often denied admission in polytechnic and engineering colleges, but many of them have managed to get admissions after taking legal recourse, Goud further added..

Though the courts have given permission for the entrance test and subsequent admission, the competent university authorities were not convinced in the beginning and the problem still continues, he said.

“This has made us think of starting a separate engineering college for the visually challenged,” he said.

Giving details about the method of teaching, Goud said the students will be taught engineering with the help of modern technology and software.

He added that the school has got TGT pro-software, which can print graphics or maps for the benefit of the visually challenged. The ability to use the systems effectively raises the confidence level of the students to a great extent.

Computer science and Information Technology courses are planned to be offered in the proposed special engineering college.

In order to start this venture, the Foundation requires two acres of land on long lease within Hyderabad city, thats why, a request has been made to the state government.

“Two acres of land on long lease within city (is our requirement) because it will be convenient for the students and staff. As this is a voluntary organisation, we get a number of voluntary teachers and other volunteers from the city. This is our main requirement," he said.

The Foundation plans to start the college in 2012-13, provided the land becomes available and the donors are ready to make the contribution for the construction.

The Devnar Foundation was started in 1991 with just four students. The school now has over 350 students.