BU delay over PG courses disappoints students

Govt college couldnt introduce the courses due to tardy process of affiliation

U B Ulavi, under secretary of the Department for Higher Education, had issued an order, dated May 16, 2011, to introduce PG courses this academic year in 35 colleges under nine universities - Jnanabharati in Bangalore; Jnana Sahyadri, Kuvempu University in Shimoga; Mangala Gangotri in Mangalore, Kuvempu University in Davangere, Manasa Gangotri in Mysore, Karnataka University in Dharwad, Gulbarga, Tumkur and Rani Chennamma universities.

The universities were directed to introduce the course as per the guidelines of admission. Soon after receiving the copy of the department’s order, the principal of the college had written to the BU on June 3, seeking distribution of students for the new course.

The University, in its reply had asked the college if it was interested in affiliating to the university and asked to clarify before June 15.

The University will form a committee to inspect the college and verify if it had teaching, non-teaching staff and infrastructure facilities required for the new course and other aspects. Based on the committee’s report the University decides to accord permission for the affiliation.

The college had replied, seeking affiliation to the university on June 13. The government sanctioned postgraduate courses in Kannada, Political Science and History. However, MA in History couldn’t be introduced in the academic year 2010-11 due to delay in getting affiliation to the Bangalore University. Now, MSc in Chemistry, MCom and MFA course have been sanctioned for the academic year 2011-12.

Two months since the college submitted an application, the University has not taken steps to introduce the course.

“Now, the counselling for admission is on and we had hoped that the university may act on the issue. But, it has disappointed us,” a lecturer told Deccan Herald on Tuesday.

The PG centre in the college, two private colleges and the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) offer MCom. As the college has not got permission yet, the students have no other option but to join the private colleges paying hefty fees.

A senior lecturer, A V Reddy said if the government college offered these PG courses a lot of talented students from rural areas would have been benefited.

“It will be introduced next year. But, had the university acted fast, students would have got the benefits this year,” he added.