In a bid to usher in a ray of hope among physically challenged in the state, Dr Shakuntala Misra Rehabilitation University for the Disabled, the first university of its kind was on Friday inaugurated here.

Speaking during the inaugural function, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said that the university would provide quality education
to the disabled, so as to help them get better employment opportunities and make them self reliant.

This university would also help create a better educational system for the disabled, the CM said adding that her government has taken a number of steps for providing disabled students better facilities and has got them implemented in record time.

Mayawati also claimed that the steps taken by the government for the welfare of the disabled was being lauded even at the national level and also gave a detailed account of them.

Terming the said university as only of its kind in Asia, she said that in order to ensure smooth functioning of the varsity, her government has arranged Rs 397 crores in the first phase.

Fifty per cent seats would be reserved for the disabled students in all the courses out of which fifty per cent would be reserved for the blind, she said adding that in the first year it would run six courses including B.Ed.

The university would have a special faculty for studies of subjects related to disabilities with separate departments for different disabilities.

A research wing for studies on how to overcome various disabilities would also be opened, she added.