Beginning this academic year, studying Kannada will be mandatory for anyone taking admission to higher education institutions in the State. Meena Rajiv Chandawarkar, Vice-Chancellor (VC), Karnataka State Women's University, Vijayapura said the discussion centred on making students familiar with the language, Karnataka and its culture. “It will be simple language so that students understand Kannada even if it is not their mother tongue,” she said.
She said some universities are already started teaching Kannada as one of the subjects, with the Women’s University teaching the language for six semesters. “The Board of Studies of each university will decide how to implement it. While English has to be taught as it is a global language, Kannada is the local language, which also should be learnt,” she said.
Meanwhile, students from outside Karnataka and India taking admission into professional courses in the State, such as medical and engineering, may not have to fret just yet. A committee has been formed under the chairmanship of A. Murigeppa, VC of Kannada University, Hampi.
VTU VC H. Maheshappa said the varsity is already offering ‘Kannada Kali’ and ‘Kannada Manasu’ in the first two semesters to all students to introduce them to the language. “But no exams are conducted, as we don’t want to discourage students from outside the State from taking admissions here,” he said.
