The proposed Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) University is likely to come up in Gadag district.
On Saturday, a committee, led by former chief secretary S V Ranganath, submitted its report on the setting up the university to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and RDPR Minister H K Patil.
It has recommended that the university be located in the backward areas of the State, but with good rail, air and road connectivity. Accordingly, making a compromise, the committee has recommended the university to be in Gadag district. Gadag also happens to be the home district of Patil.
In its report, the committee has recommended the setting up of the university with five schools or disciplines --- School of Agri Business, School of Social Sciences, School of Environment and Public Health Engineering, School of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, School of Skill and Entrepreneurship Development.
The committee has recommended that the Agri Business School be based on Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) model, while the Social Sciences School take a queue from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai. For the RDPR School, the committee has recommended that elected representatives and officials impart their practical knowledge.
Briefing the chief minister, Ranganath said the committee has emphasised on experience learning and peer group learning. Ranganath told the CM that the university needs to be a residential one. The committee has already prepared a draft bill to ensure that the RDPR Department does not lose time in starting the university.
Siddaramaiah said the government will seriously look into the report and take a decision.
Panel recommendations
Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) University is meant for only postgraduate, MPhil and doctorate students
A three-month compulsory rural visit and a dissertation mandatory for students
Campus recruitment to be provided by the university
The university to be a residential one
Five regional centres recommended to be set up along with the university
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