Bangalore University's PG Diploma students accused of misusing hostel facilities

Bengaluru: Some postgraduate diploma students at Bangalore University's Jnanabharati campus have been found misusing hostel accommodations, according to university officials.

Although providing hostel accommodation for postgraduate diploma students is not mandatory, the university had allotted them spaces last year after repeated requests. However, of the 60 students admitted to the hostels, only four appeared for their exams.

The issue was extensively discussed during a recent Syndicate meeting, where it was decided not to offer hostel accommodations to postgraduate diploma students in the future.

University sources revealed that many of these students were working professionals who enrolled in the courses merely to gain access to the hostels.

"If their intention was to study, why did not they appear for the exams? A majority of them did not even meet the 75 per cent attendance requirement. This clearly indicates irregularity," an official stated.

The official further questioned the students’ activities throughout the year, adding, "If they were not attending classes or appearing for exams, it is evident they were employed outside and joined the diploma courses solely for free hostel accommodation."

As a result, the university plans to seek explanations from the students regarding their absence from exams and their activities during their stay at the hostels.

To prevent further misuse, the university has decided to offer all postgraduate diploma courses exclusively online.

Syndicate members have also recommended this shift, stressing that these short-term courses do not necessitate hostel facilities. "Despite not being required to, we provided hostel accommodation as a goodwill gesture, but it was misused. Hence, the decision to move PG diploma courses online," an official explained.

Bangalore University currently offers postgraduate diploma courses in six subjects: Buddhist Studies, Swami Vivekananda Studies, Yoga Studies, Ambedkar Studies, Rural Development, and Psychological Counselling. This year, 86 students enrolled in these courses, against a total intake capacity of 130.

The university operates 52 departments offering 108 courses to approximately 4,000 students. Hostel facilities include one hostel for PhD students, four for postgraduate students, and one exclusively for girls, accommodating a total of 3,133 students.