BBM’s loss is B.Com’s gain

Demand for the Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) course in colleges under Mangalore University continues to be high, this year also, with many colleges approaching the university to sanction additional seats.

As the demand for B.Com. rises, the popularity of the Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) course — which was on a high a few years ago — is waning, some college teachers said.

P.S. Yadapadithaya, Registrar (administration), Mangalore University, told

The Hindu that colleges have sought an additional intake ranging from 10 per cent to 20 per cent more than the sanctioned intake. He said that the Syndicate of the university in its meeting on June 7 would take a decision on whether more seats should be allotted for 2014-15.

Last year, the Syndicate in its meeting had sanctioned for the colleges a maximum of 25 per cent seats more than the allotted seats for 2013-14. But the condition was that the extra seats should not be merged with the original seats sanctioned for admitting students for 2014-15.

The university had charged the managements of government-aided private colleges and unaided private colleges Rs. 3,000 per candidate for additional seats sanctioned. Managements had to pay the amount to the university. This was not applicable to government colleges.

Sathyanarayana Mallipatna, Principal, University College, a constituent college of Mangalore University, Hampankatta, said that the college received 500 applications for 120 seats of B.Com. for 2014-15. Later the college requested for an additional 60 seats (a batch) which has been sanctioned now.

Aruna P Kamath, Principal, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College of Business Management, Mangalore, said that the college will start B.Com. course from 2014-15 academic year due to demand for the course. She said that of the four sections of BBM in the college, one section would be closed from 2014-15 as students have opted to take up B.Com.

Madhavi S Bhandary, Principal, Poornaprajna Evening College, Udupi, said that only one student has applied for BBM course in the college against the sanctioned intake of 60 seats. The college has 90 seats for B.Com. course. After those seats are filled up now more than 50 students have applied for M. Com. course.

President of Mangalore University Commerce Teachers’ Association, Krishna, said that companies preferred to recruit graduates with B.Com. degree. Software companies were also recruiting B.Com. graduates. With accountancy, costing and income tax subjects, the B.Com. course laid strong foundation for pursuing Chartered Accountancy profession.