Bangalore University (BU) and the two universities formed after its trifurcation have been at each other’s throats over funds, resources and teaching staff, much to the government’s embarrassment. However, a resolution is in sight after Higher Education Minister G.T. Deve Gowda convened a meeting on Friday with officials from the three universities to discuss issues pertaining to faculty members and immoveable property that cropped up after the trifurcation of BU.
One of the decisions made was on allocation of teaching staff. Mr. Gowda said of the 698 teaching posts in Bangalore University, 37 would be allocated to Bengaluru Central University (BCU), and 20 to Bengaluru North University (BNU). Before trifurcation, the BU had 1,523 non-teaching posts. Now, 100 posts each would be transferred to the two new universities. The Minister said these transfers would be effective immediately.
This decision, however, has not gone down well with the teaching and non-teaching staff members. They said they would have to travel long distances to make it to class on time. Only 18 teaching and non-teaching members had opted for a transfer to the BCU, while two teaching faculty members and eight non-teaching members had opted to go to the BNU. However, 37 teaching and 174 non-teaching faculty members would now be transferred to the two new universities from the BU.
“Besides, spending more time on travel, we will have to teach in new departments that have not been set up in a full-fledged manner,” a teaching faculty member posted to BNU said.
Mr. Gowda said the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium would be used by all the three universities until similar facilities were established at the BNU and the BU. Revenue generated from the auditorium would go to the BCU. The stone building on the Central College campus would be used by the BCU, while the BU would be allowed to use the basement.
Committee to look into UVCE issue
The question of the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering has still not been resolved as the Higher Education Department has decided to set up yet another committee to look into the issue of which university the UVCE will be part of.
The Kori Committee that was formed to look into issues relating to trifurcation of Bangalore University had said that the UVCE should be part of the BU. However, Bengaluru Central University is also claiming ownership over it.
