Karnataka Verterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU) Bidar will start two new courses namely food sciences and dairy sciences in College of Fisheries Mangalore from the next academic year onwards.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, KVAFSU Bidar Vice Chancellor Dr R N Sreenivasa Gowda said that along with new reserach programmes, these two courses will be started.

He said that the College of Fisheries Mangalore, of 21 colleges under the University gets highest grant of over Rs 16 crore for research by International donor agencies.

He said that it is indeed unfortunate that the number of students opting to take Fisheries and allied courses as area of studies is very low and is decreasing year after year.

Citing example of College of Fisheries, he said that there is a misconception in the minds of the stduents that these courses will not fetch them good salary. Many swayed by IT profession do not realise the potential in these sectors.

“Steps will be taken to propogate about the courses, their potential and the opportunities in these fields.” Dr Gowda added.

He said that Government should also take action to open and rise avenues to the fisheries students so that more students opt to take up fisheries and other allied fields as area of study and as career.

He said that civil works such as swimming pool, hostel facilities and other infrastructure development will be taken up in College of Fisheries soon. He clarified that the University has no derth of funds at all as the University has already received over Rs 5.5 crore Development grant from ICR.

He said that though the university is only three years old, it has seen remarkable progress.

Apart from 21 Colleges under the University, 6 new campus has been started, which are two veterinary colleges at Shimoga and Hassan, Dairy Science College in Gulbarga, Wild Life  Veterinary Medicine Institute in Coorg, Institute of Toxicology and Research in Shimoga and Institute of Vaccinology in Belgaum.

Apart from these Inland Fisheries Institute will be set up soon either in Koppal or in Raichur.