JOIN USCouncil okays BU bifurcation
The Council, chaired by Higher Education Minister V S Acharya, approved the report of the Committee to split Bangalore University into two, and the matter will be placed before the State government for further action.
Addressing the media, Higher Education Principal Secretary M Madan Gopal said the Council had approved the ‘carving out’ of a new university out of Bangalore University, and the matter has been placed before the State government.
In what may be construed as a snub, Bangalore University V-C Dr N Prabhudev, who is a member of the Council, did not attend the meeting. Speaking to Deccan Herald, he said: “I did not attend as I had to attend a book launch function.” Prabhudev had expressed strong reservations against the bifurcation of the University, while Higher Education Minister V S Acharya has been pushing for bifurcation.
Under the proposed plan, the existing Bangalore University will be split into two: Bangalore University and Bangalore South University. The Council's report recommends that the Jnanabharathi campus will go to Bangalore South University, while a fresh campus will be built for Bangalore University at Hoskote, around 26 km from the City. Until the new campus at Hoskote is built, Bangalore University will utilise the existing Central College campus.
Following the approval from the State council, the issue will next be placed before the state government for consideration. The issue will now be placed before the Cabinet and a decision will be taken, said Gopal.
The Council has also approved a uniform academic calendar to be followed by all universities. Admissions to undergraduate courses have to be made during April or May, while PG courses will have to make admissions in July.
Examinations for UG students in odd semesters have to be held in October, while results have to be declared by December. For even semesters, examinations will be held during March or April, and the results have to be declared by June.
For PG students, examinations in odd semesters will be held during December, and results will be announced by January. For even semesters, examinations will be held in June, and results will be announced by July.
Pvt varsity guidelines
The Council also announced that due to the deluge of application for setting up private universities in the state, a new chapter will be introduced in the Karnataka State Universities Act to accommodate them.
Gopal said that currently 10 to 12 applications are pending with the state government, and it was very difficult to pass an Act for each University.
Other decisions
* Upgradation of Government Film and Television Institute at Hesaraghatta on the lines of Film and Television Institute of India(FTII), Pune
* Discussion with universities on modification of common PhD norms
* Waiver of affiliation fees for PG centres in govt colleges
* Two-day seminar on nano-technology for state varsities
* Approval of rules governing functioning of Higher Education Council