Gandhian studies unpopular: BU wants to 'change course'

The move is seen as a desperate attempt to attract students to the hugely unpopular course

Bangalore University (BU) will make it mandatory for all its 700 affiliated colleges to establish a Centre for Gandhian Studies this academic year, in what is clearly a desperate attempt to attract students to the hugely unpopular course.

The move, confirmed to DH by Vice-Chancellor K R Venugopal, is aimed at introducing the new generation to Gandhi and his philosophy. It could also check poor enrollments at the university's Centre for Gandhian Studies, which did not get even a single admission in the past three years.

Gandhian Studies will be made a compulsory open elective, too, and students will have to clear one paper to get the degree certificate. The programme will also be included in the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) so that it reaches the students more effectively.

Venugopal described Gandhian Studies as an easier subject than other MOOC programmes. Students who clear Gandhian Studies in open electives will get three credits.

Second- and third-year students at colleges affiliated to Bengaluru Central University (BCU) and Bengaluru North University (BNU) could also consider the subject as an open elective, he added.

The vice-chancellor promised the university would support affiliated colleges with books, research papers and other necessary materials. Once the study centre is established, colleges should conduct exhibitions, seminars and workshops on Gandhian Studies, he added.

A senior university official said the poor response to Gandhian Studies was because students were now more keen on pursuing courses that could get them jobs. "This course (Gandhian Studies) has no specific job profile, so students will eventually lose interest and drop out. By asking colleges to open centres for Gandhian Studies, the university hopes to keep the course and the Gandhian philosophy alive," the official added.