The syllabus for Kannada and optional language subjects taught in the first year of under-graduation courses under Mangalore University will be revised to include the works of regional writers and dramatists.
The proposal was accepted at a special meeting of the Academic Council of the University held here on Saturday. University Vice-Chancellor T.C. Shivashankara Murthy said poems, dramas, short stories, and excerpts of novels by writers such as M. Gopalkrishna Adiga, M. Vijaybhanu Shetty, B.A. Vivek Rai, S.V. Parameshwar Bhatta, and Na. D’Souza among others will find space alongside Ranna, Pampa, M. Govinda Pai, and Kuvempu.
A total of 11 textbooks would be published by the University Publication Department to bring out books of varying difficulties for the courses.
Moreover, K. Abhaya Kumar, Chief Editor of the Degree Kannada Textbooks Revision Committee, said a text on Hajabba Harekal would be introduced too. “While other universities have entries about him, we had not carried it at all. Having a lesson on a person from our region who has received national and international recognition for his social work, will be inspirational for students,” he said.
Intake
Meanwhile, there were fluctuating fortunes for two colleges under the University, both of whose requests for permission for additional intake or courses were shot down by the inspection committee.
St. Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangalore, had asked for permission to increase the intake into the M.Sc. (Chemistry) course to 30 students per academic year, from the current 20 students. However, in their report, the inspection committee said the college did not have adequate library or laboratory facilities to warrant an increased intake.
However, Mr. Murthy said as the report had given the college a provision to improve facilities before asking for permission again, the report would be kept in abeyance, and permission given to the college provided they upgrade their library facility (the laboratory would be used in batches, instead of 30 students at once).
Government Degree College, Kushalnagar, was not this fortunate however. T.N. Sreedhara, Chairman of inspection committee, said their request for starting an additional B.C.A (Bachelors’ of Computer Applications) was rejected as the college did not have “adequate space or classrooms” for the new class. The report was accepted at the Council meeting.
