Varsity constituent UG colleges will be set up in Bengaluru, says Karnataka Deputy CM

Asserting that priority will be given to establishing university constituent undergraduate colleges across Bengaluru, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan said that district commissioner has been asked to hand over available government lands to the department to facilitate the process.

"Priority would be given to establishing university constituent undergraduate colleges in and around the city, and the district commissioner has been asked to hand over available government lands to the department of higher education to facilitate this process," the Deputy CM said on Monday.

The Education Minister held a review meeting in the department today and told media that it has also been asked to sanction 8,000 posts of lecturers.

"Bengaluru has a population of around 1.5 crore and faces a shortage of government-run colleges as per the population ratio. In order to fill this gap, UCUG colleges will be encouraged," he said.

The minister said new national education policy stipulates that multi-disciplinary education should be encouraged.

"This demands spacious campuses to accommodate several departments in the same premises," he said, adding that if sufficient land is not available in the city, lands available in proximity will be made use of for this purpose.

Talking about Bengaluru North University, the minister said 172 acres has been earmarked and 57 acres has already been handed over to the university.

He said about 62 acres is in government possession but technical issues need to be rectified.

"Other 53 acres are in possession of private individuals and they are willing to hand over if land at alternative places is allotted to them along with title documents. This process will be taken up immediately and the remaining land will be handed over to the university in one-month duration," he pointed out.

The Bengaluru North University Campus will come up in Jangamakote which falls under the Shidlaghatta taluk of Chikkaballapura district. The courses which have more employability will be given priority.

The location is near Bengaluru International Airport and a 'knowledge park' will be set up here, Ashwathnarayan said.

( With inputs from ANI )