Multi-utility centre at Karnataka varsity

A multi-utility centre will come up at the Karnatak University with the UGC releasing Rs 25 crore. The university has been tagged as a University of Potential Excellence. The multi-utility centre to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 7.5 crore will accommodate computer training cell, placement cell, job training cell and computer laboratory to help the students get various facilities under one roof. This is the most ambitious project of the KU and the works would be launched soon. KU V-C H B Walikar said with the varsity being tagged as a UPE, it is entitled to a special grant of Rs 50 crore for a period spanning five years and in the first phase the UGC had released Rs 25 crore.

Apart from this, emphasis has been given to adopt smart classes under the e-governance. This would help document the notes for the students and also create academic accountability. The varsity is also planning to set up a sewage water treatment plant by utilising Rs 4.5 crore and take up rainwater harvesting infrastructure at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. The department of minor irrigation will be roped in to construct three ponds in the varsity, he added. Walikar also said there was no problem with the UGC as far as the release of funds was concerned by the state government was not releasing funds timely. Because of the delay on the part of the state government, some works are getting delayed, he said.

The varsity has come up with a plan to strengthen the alumni. A Delhi-based private firm has been approached to collect donation from the KU alumni so that a corpus fund could be created. The varsity cannot utilise the corpus fund, but the interest generated from the fund would be utilised for academic and infra development activities, he said.

A meeting has been called in the first week of April wherein the company representatives would be asked to strengthen the alumni. This initiative would generate a minimum fund of Rs 100 crore to the varsity, he asserted.