4 BU offshoots over next 15 years
Despite Governor H R Bhardwaj’s disapproval, a design to split the 683-college Bangalore University (BU) into four smaller ones is taking shape.
A committee of academic experts is working on a report outlining the vision statement on this project. It envisages a plan to first split the Bangalore University, known as Jnana Bharathi, and form the DVG Bangalore University, to be known as Jnana Vahini. The DVG University is to be split later into two more universities - Jnana Jyothi, with its campus at Central College, and a yet-unnamed university in Kolar. The process is expected to be carried out over the next 15 years.
Higher Education Minister R V Deshpande said his government will take a stand on the issue of carving up BU into multiple universities after a fresh scrutiny of the decision taken by the previous dispensation. “We have to look at it from various angles to see if it is in the interest of students and other stakeholders,” Deshpande said.
The DVG University will initially function from the Central College campus. Once it shifts to Hoskote, the Jnana Jyothi university will be formed.
“Hoskote has been selected as headquarters for the DVG University as we believe higher education will grow faster towards Bangalore North. Bifurcation is immediate, and trifurcation of the DVG University is the ultimate goal,” said an official involved in the process.
Express managed to look at the report submitted to the government on the creation of DVG Bangalore University. It proposes 367 colleges for DVG and 316 for BU.
The DVG university will require about Rs 190.36 crore for establishment, which includes about Rs 33.61 crore for payment of salaries of existing staff and Rs 156.75 crore for land, infrastructure and miscellaneous expenses. The report says the DVG University is proposed to have 52 per cent of intake/enrolment whereas BU can have 48 per cent of the existing strength.
Former BU V-C M S Thimmappa said: “I’m surprised by our Chancellor’s ignorance. The issue of bifurcation was first raised way back in 1995 in an academic council meeting when I was registrar. It is purely an academic subject and not political.”
Still, Thimmappa urged the government not to accede Central College to the new university. “Central College is the heart and heritage of BU. Why can’t the government find some other suitable place for the new university?,” he asked.