For the cause of social sciences
PRAMOD MELLEGATTI
|
Academy to be built on Kuvempu varsity campus
|
One aim is to set free study and research in humanities from the western onslaught
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Vice-Chancellors of the six universities in the State viz: Kuvempu University, Karnataka University, Gulbarga University, Bangalore University, Mangalore University and Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), and King Albert II of Belgium at Chennai on November 11 for the establishment of the Karnataka Academy of Social Sciences and Humanities (KASSH) at Kuvempu University.
The KASSH is coming up under the joint association of the State Government, Kuvempu University, VTU, the Flemish Inter-University Council and the Government of Belgium.
Objective
The objective of the KASSH is to rejuvenate study and research in humanities and social sciences. It is also aimed at promoting inter-disciplinary studies. The KASSH was formed with the objective of redesigning the education sector to match with the needs of the 21st century.
It would also provide orientation to students of professional courses about the socio-cultural problems in the society and set free the study and research in humanities from the western onslaught.
Rs. 5 cr. grant
According to the MoU, the Flemish Inter University Council will give a maintenance grant of Rs. 5 crore per annum for a period of 10 years.
The Karnataka Government and Kuvempu University will ensure adequate infrastructure for the KASSH.
The KASSH will come up on a five-acre land on the campus at an estimated cost of Rs. 8.50 crore. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had laid the foundation stone for it in October. The State Government has promised Rs. 5.50 crore for the academy while the varsity and VTU will pump in the remaining expenses.
The Director of KASSH, J.S. Sadananda, has said that preliminary works are going on and construction of its building will be taken up immediately after the State Government released Rs. 5.5 crore as promised.
The trend
He said that the module of social sciences was being prepared in association with the VTU to meet the requirements. Most of the candidates with engineering background were taking to administration by passing competitive examinations including IAS. There was a need to expose them to a social and cultural background.
Prof. Sadananda said that with the study of social sciences for the engineering students being made compulsory, the introduction of such courses would be helpful to them.
To a question, he denied that the KASSH would run as a parallel institution to Kuvempu University or any other varsity for that matter.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Education Plus
