Need more funds for hostel upkeep, says UVCE principal

A day after Bangalore University Registrar B C Mylarappa conducted an inspection of hostels and laboratories in the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Venugopal, the principal of the college said he was keen on setting things right as soon as funds were released.

“I will embark on the task as soon as the University releases funds. I am willing to take up necessary work by pooling money from students if the varsity accords permission,” Venugopal said. The UVCE, ranked 19th in India, will soon be celebrating its centenary. Mylarappa inspected the hostel on Saturday.

Venugopal said, instead of blaming the college for the poor upkeep, all stakeholders should join hands to find a solution to the problem.

“I have been in the college for nearly four decades and I vouch for the quality of education imparted,” Venugopal said.

BU Vice Chancellor N Prabhu Dev told Deccan Herald that he had met an alumnus of the College,  who had promised financial aid to the institution. This apart, Rs 300 crore has been earmarked for the centenary celebrations, he added.

As per the recommendations of the Srinivasan Committee, UVCE might be shifted to the BU campus. Also speculations are rife about bringing it under the Visvesvaraya Technological University apart from granting it an autonomous status.

Owing to several uncertainties, the repair works on the UVCE premises have been delayed.

However, it will be started soon, Prabhu Dev said. Moreover, the final decision on release of funds vests with the State government and not the varsity.

The University will do whatever best it can with the available resources, he added.

‘Worse than public toilets’

Terming the condition of hostels in the UVCE worse than that of “Beggars’ Colony”, Mylarappa said he would take all the Syndicate members on a visit, so that they can witness the state of affairs. The issue will be discussed at the Syndicate meeting, to be convened on February 15.

“The windows are rusted, the kitchen slabs are broken and the taps have gone dry. The premises is ill-maintained. Public toilets are far better than the toilets in UVCE. None of the students are vocal about the state of affairs at the College, as they fear losing marks in their practical examinations,” Mylarappa said.

The Registrar, while denying dearth of funds, accused the alumnus of neglecting a century-old institution of higher learning.