One year on, BCU still has only 3 permanent faculties

The Bangalore Central University's (BCU) troubles with staff and funds crunch are yet to be addressed even after a year after trifurcation.

It has been more than a year since the BCU was carved out of Bangalore University (BU) along with Bengaluru North University (BNU). However, the BCU has not been able to find its ground and is still struggling to function autonomously for various reasons.

While on the one hand, it is fighting for the ownership over the properties on its campus with the parent BU, on the other hand, it's critically plagued by staff and funds crunch.

Ramchandra Gowda, BCU registrar, said even after a year, the university has only three members as its permanent faculties. Currently, there are 17 people in BU awaiting postings in the new varsity, he said.

“At present, vice-chancellor, registrar and the registrar (Evaluation) are the permanent faculties of our university. There are a few senior faculties working in both the universities and the rest are managing with the guest faculties," Ramachandra Gowda said in a press conference.

"The BU is paying the salary of other staff members who are working in the BCU and yet to come on board in the BCU. There is also some space constraint, which we are yet to address,” Gowda added.

Though an option was given to the BU officials to select their postings among the BCU and BNU during the trifurcation, the varsity, situated in the heart of the city, is still struggling to function smoothly.

According to the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, the BCU needs 194 posts, which includes both teaching and non-teaching staff.

'One-time settlement'

BCU Vice-Chancellor S Japhet has sought for one-time settlement for the crisis.

“We are yet to receive funds by various means, which were announced during the trifurcation. However, as a final settlement and to end up the issue, I demand the government release Rs 100 crore as a one-time settlement for our varsity," he said.

"Later, we don't need any more funds and allocations, and this also will help in the smooth functioning of the varsity,” Japhet added.

Job fair

The BCU along with Lions Club International District 317F Region V is organising a special job fair for Management and Commerce students. The event ‘Igniting Minds – Job Fair 2018’ will be held on December 28, at Jnanajyoti auditorium at 9.00 am on the BCU campus.

“Forty companies will be the part of the fair, where we are expecting two to three students to get placed. This is open for the students of all three universities and the offer letters will be issued on the spot,” BCU Vice-Chancellor S Japhet said.