To the end that it is the intent of the general assembly, and it is expressly declared, that there shall be a unified, overall program of vocational-technical education and technical training in this state, including all vocational purposes, all state colleges of applied technology, all vocational and technical training programs, and including the vocational education training program, title 8 of the National Defense Education Act of 1958 (P.L. 85-864, 72 Stat. 1597) program, the Area Redevelopment Act of 1961 (P.L. 87-27, 75 Stat. 47) program, and the Manpower Development and Training Act of 1962 (P.L. 87-415, 76 Stat. 23) program, the board of regents is authorized to expend or obligate, or both, for the purposes of this part: