Students of Bengaluru Dr. B.R. Ambedkar School of Economics (BASE) are likely to get a chance to visit and study at the London School of Economics (LSE) for a month on a student exchange programme.
After the 6th governing council meeting of BASE, Higher Education Minister G.T. Deve Gowda said the State would bear the expenses of the programme. Mr. Deve Gowda said the modalities of the funding would be decided by the Department of Social Welfare. He said students of LSE would also visit BASE via the programme.
The institute offers an integrated M.Sc programme in economics and is associated with Bangalore University. Those at the meeting said it was discussed to provide international-level training for professors at the institute. “It was also decided to hire retired faculty members for their expertise,” a source said.
Economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murthy were also present at the meeting. The members pointed out the need to begin more courses such as certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses.
The institute has only four permanent faculty members and runs entirely on guest faculty. The classes are run in a room in a building located on Bangalore University’s Jnanabharathi campus. There are currently 50 students studying in BASE. N. Manjula, Commissioner, Department of Collegiate Education, said they would recruit regular faculty shortly.
Sources said there was currently no provision to recruit international faculty members which was another matter of concern.
Mr. Deve Gowda also said that director of BASE would be finalised shortly.
