Teething problems as the result of the trifurcation of Bangalore University have yet to be addressed. Nearly 50 students from the chemistry department have to juggle their time between the Jnanabharathi campus and the Central College premises as a full-fledged laboratory is yet to become operational.
Speaking at a press conference, H.N. Ramesh, in-charge Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University, said, “We have procured basic equipment, such as chemicals and glasswares, but not specialised equipment, such as scanning electron microscope. Lecturers will have to approach the funding agencies, which can be done only after faculty members are spilt among the two new universities.”
Committee to look into admissions
Prof. Ramesh pointed out that the syndicate had decided to constitute a sub-committee to look into courses and departments that had single-digit admissions. These include the departments of French, Tamil, Spanish Sanskrit at the postgraduate level. Less than 10 students had enrolled for PG programmes in as many as 56 colleges out of the total of 199 colleges affiliated to the university for the 2017-2018 academic year. “While some courses have excess admissions, others have few takers. So a four-member committee has been formed to look into the nuances and make recommendations,” an official of the varsity said.
Cricket championship for women
Bangalore University, under the auspices of Association of Indian Universities, will organise the South Zone Inter University Cricket Championship for women 2017-2018 between November 2 and 7. As many as 25 universities will participate in the competition. While all the matches will be played for 20 overs, the semi-finals and final will be played for 25 overs.
Fight for cricket ground and auditorium
With the trifurcation, the Bengaluru Central University and the parent Bangalore University are vying for ownership of the cricket ground and the Jnana Jyothi auditorium. These two properties are currently helping the parent Bangalore University generate revenue.
While the rent for Jnana Jyothi auditorium is ₹1.2 lakh a day, the cricket ground is given to private companies for ₹10,000 per day. Private colleges can utilise the ground for ₹3,700 per day and it is free for government colleges.
H.N. Ramesh, in-charge Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University, said, “The government will have to take a call on who these assets will go to. But for the first few years, all three universities should be allowed to use it.”