RGUHS to start Kannada classes on November 1

The Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science (RGUHS) is all set to introduce the Kannada language as a subject at the undergraduate level from November 1.

The university has finalised the syllabus and timetable to teach Kannada for the first-year and second-year students. However, there won’t be any examinations after completion of the syllabus.

“We’ll start Kannada classes on November 1,” Prof M K Ramesh, in-charge vice chancellor and registrar (Evaluation) of RGUHS, told DH.

The RGUHS’ decision comes in the wake of the directions of Kannada Development Authority (KDA). A committee, headed by Hi Chi Boralingaiah, had recommended making Kannada mandatory in professional courses, including medical and engineering, in Karnataka from 2016-17 for at least two semesters.

It was actually in 2002 that the then KDA chairman Baragur Ramachandrappa had directed professional institutions to introduce Kannada.

“We have finalised two papers — Kannada Kali, for students from out of Karnataka, and Kannada Manassu for students of Karnataka. Kannada Kali deals with the basics of Kannada language, while Kannada Manassu will have medical literature,” he added.

“There will be 180 hours for each of these subjects, while one or two hours will be allotted in the timetable per week,” he said.

The university has decided to utilise the services of its faculty who know Kannada to teach students. It also plans to rope in resource persons or guest faculty if required.

“We need a full-time Kannada lecturer to handle two papers. We have requested the government to create a permanent post of Kannada lecturer to handle the two subjects,” the VC stated.

“It is a welcome move, but most of us feel students may not take the learning of Kannada seriously unless there are exams,” Amith Gowda, a second-year student, stated.

DH News Service