Centre sanctions two Central Universites for Karnataka

Bangalore, Jul 8 (UNI) The Union Government has sanctioned two Central Universities to Karnataka, Higher Education Minister Aravinda Limbavali said here today.

This would be the first time Central Varsities would be set up in the State, while other Southern States had such Universities running for quite some time.

Speaking at an interaction meeting with the educationists, teachers and heads of various Institutions of higher education here, Mr Limbavali said the Centre had decided to open Central Universities in Gulbarga and Mysore.

This would help the State realise the goal of making access to higher education for all social groups in a big way.

Reacting to various suggestions made by the experts in the field of higher education at the Interaction meeting, Mr Limbavali said there was a need to go for a total revamp in the system and promised that he would try to make an initiative in this direction.

Expressing concern over the number of students opting for science and arts streams dwindling every year, he said there was a need to go for correction in the system. ''Government will set up an expert committee to suggest measures in this matter,'' he added.

Stating that the Government had the intention to constitute a state-level Knowledge Commission to evaluate the higher education system in the State and make recommendations for corrections, if necessary.

The minister said there had been complaints about the efficacy of the present examination system under semester scheme. ''A Study team will be formed to submit a report to the State Government on the issue,'' he added.

Terming the holding of an interaction meeting with the stakeholders of the Higher education system a success, the minister said similar sessions would be held in different parts of the State, including Mangalore, Davangere and Gulbarga.

Valuable inputs received from such meetings would help to evolve a better system of higher education in the State, he added.

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