In the continuing task of nation building, Bangalore University is trying to promote excellence in higher education for a vibrant and inclusive society through knowledge creation and dissemination. It is making sincere efforts to contribute its mite by providing the right kind of human resources. It is striving hard to impart quality education to meet national and global challenges, towards accomplishing its mission. For students, the degree represents certification of competence, and a passport to advanced education or gainful employment, and livelihood and prosperity. They have an important role to play in the development of the Nation and hence have to handle their future with confidence and capability.
The University is pursuing the holistic approach as an education bereft of values is meaningless and not worthy of promotion. Education is meant to inculcate right values among students to produce socially sensitive citizens. Thus it encourages not only curricular activities, but also co-curricular, extra-curricular and extension activities.
Bangalore University took birth in the year 1964 with only 32 colleges and a student population of 16,000. Today, it is one of the largest Universities in the country and in Asia with about 700 affiliated colleges and a student population of about 4.00 Lakhs. It has about 50 post-graduate departments which offer around 75 PG Programmes. The University has 6 specialized Centres and 3 integrated Programmes. It has also 3 University colleges – UVCE, University Law College & University College of Physical Education. It has completed 50th year of its fruitful existence. I can say with legitimate pride that the University has achieved far more than just the modest target set at the time of its inception by producing a trained human resource to serve the country in all walks of life and by contributing to the knowledge base.
Bangalore University has introduced Choice Based Credit System in all its Under Graduate and Post Graduate programmes, with multiple exit options with multiple degrees in the faculties of Arts, Science and Commerce effective from the academic year 2014-15. For multifaceted development of students, curriculum emphasizes on wide variety of courses to enhance their knowledge in several core courses. Thus the present Post Graduate programmes in subjects have been restructured to implement the Choice Based Credit System Scheme and to introduce an exit option with Honours Degree in the subjects at the end of Istyear of 2nd year PG Programmes, provided the candidate has studied that subject in all the three years of that Under Graduate Programme. The successful completion of II year of the Post Graduate Programme would lead to Masters Degree in the subjects. The restructured Choice Based Credit System scheme makes the product of University at par with the Global practices in terms of academic standards and evaluation strategies, retaining structures of the present Under Graduate & Post Graduate Programmes.
Our infrastructure is huge with equipped laboratories, highly qualified and motivated faculty, who work with commitment and dedication for the cause of education and research. Our officers and the non-teaching staff work with dedication and commitment. The research output of our post-graduate departments is very good in terms of Ph.D. degrees awarded and research publications in good impact factor journals in India and abroad with a large number of citations. In the recent 49th convocation 204 candidates have received the Ph. D. degrees.
Post-graduate departments have organized a large number of national and international Seminars and Conferences. The University has been chosen for the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) project of DST, the Govt. of India at a cost of 9.0 Crores for 3 years. It has been offered to the university based on our research output in terms of institutional h-index. A number of sophisticated instruments have been added. Several of our PG departments have also been selected for UGC-Special Assistance and DST-FIST Programmes apart from a large number of sponsored individual faculty research projects from the national funding agencies. In addition to these several thrust areas of our faculty in the PG departments are selected for assistance under CPEPA, Centre with Potential for Excellence in particular areas, with a grant of 4.75 Crores. We also have several innovative Programmes.
The University Grants Commission has also sanctioned Rs. 21.25 Crores to the University as the 12th Plan grant. The North Eastern Council of Govt. of India has sanctioned a grant of Rs. 14.65 Crores to the University for building a Girls Hostel Complex on our Jnana Bharathi Campus to accommodate about 500 students from the North Eastern region studying in Bangalore. The UVCE, the University Engineering College of the university has received the second phase of TEQIP grant of Rs. 12.5 Crores for improving the academic and research infrastructure.
Academic tie-ups have been established with several reputed research Institutions/organizations within India and abroad. Our faculty have received number of recognitions and awards such as UGC Research Awards for 6 Teachers, Indo-US (Obama) Fellowship two teachers, Young Scientist Awards, 4 Patents etc. Some of our faculties are the fellows of National Academies.
Bangalore University Library has a total collection which exceeds 3,36,000 books and 175 current periodicals, which include 8,554 Thesis and Dissertations. BU Library is getting 7,500 online journals under UGC-INFONET Programme; has extended R3 access of teachers and Ph.D. students.
Centralized Placement Cell: The University has established a Centralized Placement Cell at Dr. Ambedkar Pre-Examination coaching centre. The Centre will cater to the pre placement training and placement needs of Post Graduate students of Jnana Bharathi Campus.
Braille Resource Centre: The University has Braille Resource Centre for visually challenged students with disability such as blindness and low vision studying in UG courses in autonomous and affiliated colleges. Presently 163 students are being provided with study material (Txt books and reference books) in the Braille format; CDs of the text books; a monthly scholarship of Rs. 500/- for 10 months. The activities pursued include independent living skills, looking good, staying connected, outreach activities, fun and fitness, kitchen confidence and counseling for motivation and job opportunities.
SC/ST Cell: The SC/ST Cell has been provided with grants of Rs. 6.00 Crores for the welfare of SC/ST students and for implementation of various schemes. Affiliated Degree colleges have been given financial assistance ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 75,000 for purchase of books for their libraries exclusively for the use of SC/ST students; Scholarships to SC/ST Ph.D., scholars @ Rs. 5,000/- per month for 3 years & @Rs. 8,000/- per month for the next 2 years and Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 8000/- per annum as contingency expenditure for undertaking field study, study tours, and for attending seminars / conferences / workshops etc.; medical expenses for PG Students, financial assistance for preparation of dissertation/projects reports/thesis for PG and Ph.D. Students. The university is also giving laptops to the SC/ST Ph.D. students.
Sports and Games: The students of Bangalore University Colleges have excelled not only in studies but also in Sports. The Directorate of Physical Education has successfully conducted Inter-Collegiate Tournament for Men and Women in 74 disciplines. In the above events, Bangalore University sports persons have won 04 Gold, 04 Silver and 02 Bronze medals; Bangalore University was the runners-up in the 2013-14 Aquatic Championship held at Calcutta University and Mr. Rohit Havaldar of Presidency College was the individual champion. He and Mr. Chethan B. (High Jump) of Government First Grade College, K R Puram have been selected for the World University Competitions held at Kazan, Russia, from 6th to 18th July, 2013; In Hockey, Bangalore University Men have qualified for the All India Inter-Zone Hockey Tournament and got the 3rdposition in the South Zone championship. Mr. S. K. Uttappa of St. Josephs Commerce College, Hockey player participated in the London Olympics; Mr. R. N. Suraj of Surana College got selected for the World Universities Badminton championship held at Korea.
National Service Scheme (NSS)Bhavan: The University has a unique National Service Scheme (NSS)Bhavan on its campus, first of its kind in the country, which can accommodate 300 to 400 NSS Volunteers at a time. The NSS Unit has been very active in conducting variety of social service camps like Blood Donation, Health Checkup, Pulse-polio, Street Plays, Tree plantation, Rain harvesting, AIDS awareness, Environmental issues etc. It has conducted two State Level Pre-Republic Day camp for boys and girls separately during August 2012, and NSS volunteers were selected for the State and South Zone Republic Day parades. In association with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India, NSS Regional Centre, Bangalore, the NSS Unit has organized a NSS Mega Camp from 29th June to 10th July, 2013, aimed at promoting Volunteerism and Citizenship. 450 NSS Volunteers and Programme Officers from all the States / UTs participated in the Camp.
UGC Human Resource Development Centre (UGC-HRDC): The UGC Academic Staff College now renamed as UGC Human Resource Development Centre (UGC-HRDC) has shifted to a new building in the Jnana Bharathi Campus. It organizes Orientation Programmes, Short term courses and Refresher Courses for College and University Teachers. It also organises programmes for Administrators of various Academic Bodies.
Bio-Park: Our bio-park programme is aimed at preserving the existing eco-system and to develop it as a center for Ecological/Environmental studies and research. It spreads over 650 acres of land on our Jnana Bharathi Campus and has rich bio-diversity.
Gandhian Study and Research Centre: Gandhian Study and Research Centre is involved in organizing several Programmes for the benefit of students and the general public.
Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Studies and Research Centre: has organized a number of programmes on the occasions of Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkars Birth Anniversary, Dhammachakraparivartana and Maha Parinirvana. A National Seminar on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar philosophy on Depressed Classes was also organized under the title Ambedkar Jnanotsava 2013.
Campus Security: The BBMP has recently completed the University Road project. The Campus is now priviledged to have very good roads. Appropriate steps have been taken to improve the Campus security. C.C.T.V cameras have been installed at key points with adequate lighting. 5 to 6 ft. height barbed wire fencing on either side of the public roads passing through the campus, restricting the entry of public has been planned.
The Directorate of Correspondence Courses & Distance Education: of the University is also serving the cause of distance learners.
The College Development Council: has effectively coordinated with the colleges to submit proposals for various Schemes of UGC during the XII Plan. During the year 2009-12, Colleges were sanctioned grants to conduct UGC sponsored Add-on Courses. Eight new Colleges have been enlisted by UGC under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act entitling them for UGC grants.
Health Centre: Bangalore University has a Health Centre to meet the immediate health care needs of students, faculty and staff. The University is planning to upgrade the health care facilities with necessary equipments and other infrastructure.
It is gratifying to note that Bangalore University is ranked No. 15 among the top 50 Universities in India as per Hansa Research Survey 2014 (published in The Week June 2014). The same survey ranks the University at 5 of the Top 10 Government Universities in South Zone. India Today (June 30, 2014) Ranked Bangalore University at No. 11 among the top 45 Universities in India.
I have great pleasure in inviting you to this great University to join the family of academic fraternity.
Vice Chancellor
