Bangalore University's ambitious project, the Bangalore School of Economics (BSE), has inched closer to becoming a reality. University Vice-Chancellor N. Prabhu Dev, on Sunday, announced that Jindal Aluminium Ltd., Bangalore, has agreed to contribute Rs. 100 crore to the university for establishing the institution.
It may be recalled that the initial sum offered by the company was Rs. 10 crore. Speaking to The Hindu here, Dr. Prabhu Dev said that the sum would be used to create an international campus, complete with an international-standard hostel and international faculty.
“The core study group chaired by me and the co-chairman T.V. Mohandas Pai has prepared the draft. Jindal Aluminium Managing Director S.R. Jindal was impressed with our proposal and decided to contribute Rs. 100 crore,” he said.
However, one of the conditions was that the school be named Dr. Sitaram Jindal School of Economics. It was agreed to, he said.
Another clause was that the proposed school will be an autonomous body on the pattern of the London School of Economics or the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. Asked how the university would be involved in the institute, he said, “In the beginning, it will be similar to the way some autonomous colleges are functioning under the university. Subsequently, it may even be made a deemed university.”
The university will provide the required land on the Jnana Bharathi campus for construction of the new academic building for the school. As announced, the four-year B.S. course will be offered in the school similar to courses offered by the London School of Economics. The project will take five years to be ready.
Another condition was that a report of annual activities is to be sent to the company every June, and that five poor but meritorious students recommended by the company to be admitted to the course.
The final report will be ready by November 10 and submitted to the Governor and Chancellor of the university.
