BANGALORE: University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), the only engineering college in the state affiliated to Bangalore University (BU), attracted mixed response to the state's idea of shifting the same to Visveswaraya Technological University (VTU).
This is the only college that is not affiliated to VTU. Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya announced the decision to include UVCE and BDT College of Engineering, Davanagere, under VTU. However, only BDT College of Engineering which was earlier affiliated to Davanagere University, was shifted to VTU two months ago.
What VTU says
In view of improving the quality of technical education, the state government passed the VTU Act in 1994 which led to the formation of VTU. VTU ViceChancellor Dr H Maheshappa, when contacted, said that ideally all engineering colleges in Karnataka should come under VTU. But BU is not ready to come under VTU. "However, it is the government's decision. As a VC, I cannot say anything in this regard," he said.
UVCE Principal Says...
UVCE principal Dr K R Venugopal said that he is not bothered whether their college comes under BU or VTU. "My concern is that concerned authorities should provide support, including finance to the college to build good hostels, improve the mechanical block and construct the Visveswaraya Centenary Bock," he said. According to Venugopal, they run seven UG courses and 24 PG courses for which they have 103 teaching faculty. "We need at least another 100 teachers," he added.
While the principal is not particular of the university they work under, some teachers expressed willingness to changing to VTU.
A senior lecturer said that BU is giving stepmotherly treatment to UVCE. "UVCE, one of the oldest and best colleges, is not supported financially and has been neglected by BU." A few prefer UVCE over BU. "UVCE is part of the Central college campus. It was formed even before BU. We are getting paid as per AICTE pay scales. So there will be certain differences when working under BU or VTU," another senior professor said.
VC of Bangalore University Dr N Prabhudev, said that according to Karnataka State University Act 2000, constituted colleges cannot be shifted. UVCE is a constituted college. "University Law College, Bangalore, is a constituted college and hence it did not shift when Karnataka State Law University was formed," he said.