Study centres on Buddha, Vivekananda & Ambedkar in BU

The study centres on Buddha, Swamy Vivekananda and Dr B R Ambedkar will shortly come up on the Bangalore University’s Jnana Bharathi campus.

Recently, the varsity was in news for getting zero admission for the Gandhian Studies, established in 1969.

Admitting the failure of the centre in attracting students, Venugopal K R, the vice-chancellor, had said that they would introduce Gandhian studies as a compulsory subject in open electives. This he hoped would help the centre survive, and make the Gandhian philosophy alive among the present generation.

“The decision was taken in the syndicate meeting. The aim of establishing the new centres is to make the current generation aware of the values and the preachings of the great personalities,” BU VC told DH.

“For now Jindal group has agreed to provide the necessary financial support for the projects. We need books and study materials, and we will have to approach other companies also. The university will provide the necessary land for the centres,” the vice-chancellor said.

“Maha Bodhi Society in Bengaluru had demanded the study centre on Buddha. As the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education is already affiliated to our varsity, we can expect the students to be part of the Gautama Buddha study centre. We will also make this as a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), where this will reach many students,” the vice-chancellor added.

The syndicate also plans to make one MOOC course on any of the four personalities compulsory for the student to clear the degree course.

“The decision regarding this should be reviewed in the next syndicate meeting. Along with revamping of Gandhian
studies, we intend to set up the centres by the December, where students can join by the next academic year,” the VC added.