Dr. B.R. Ambedkar School of Economics (BASE), Bengaluru, an institute recently established by Karnataka, is keen on signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Central University of Karnataka (CUK), Kalaburagi, in various social science disciplines.
During their visit to CUK on Monday, Anup K Pujari and M.B. Dyaberi, Director and Chief Executive Officer of BASE respectively, interacted with CUK’s Vice-Chancellor H.M. Maheshwaraiah and faculty members on various issues.
Focus on recruitment
They explored possibilities of assistance that could be offered by CUK in the establishment and development of the new institute. They also discussed a wide range of administrative and academic issues, with a special focus on recruitment of faculties, admission of students, academic activities and infrastructure development.
“We want to learn from CUK’s experience so that our aim of building an institute of a higher standard along the lines of London School of Economics is achieved,” Mr. Pujari said. The purpose of the new institute is, he added, to create vibrancy among students so as to train and equip them to serve the needs of society, while keeping in view socio-economic and educational limitations.
Change in priorities
“We want to change a student’s priorities from medical and engineering courses to social sciences. Ours will not be a certificate manufacturing company. We focus on individual attention and make higher learning an enjoyable act. The complete residential institute will come up on 43 acres of land in the Bengaluru University campus,” he added.
Best in the field
Mr. Maheshwaraiah shared his experience of building CUK from various angles, especially in the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff and infrastructural development. “We want to attract the best minds of the world and not compromise on the quality of teachers. If we don’t get qualified and quality teachers, we prefer to leave the posts vacant till we get someone who is good,” he said.
He added that CUK was paying ₹45,000 a month to each contractual faculty as compared to around ₹20,000 a month many other universities offer, so as to attract the best in the field.
Mr. Maheshwaraiah spoke of numerous struggles, right from the shortage of water to insufficient buildings, faced in developing CUK as one of the most sought-after institutes in the country.
Wi-Fi-enabled campus
“Housed on 654 acres on a hillock at Kadaganchi, about 20 kms from Kalaburagi, the CUK faced many initial hiccups. We addressed each one by prioritising. Now, ee are adding more buildings. We have built storage systems that could store 44 lakh litres of water to address drinking water issues. We are currently spending ₹12.5 crore to make the CUK a Wi-Fi-enabled campus,” he said.
G.R. Naik, pro-V-C, Registrar Chandrakant M. Yatnoor, Deans, HODs and faculty members were present.
