Mysore-based KSOU improves its physical infrastructure for Rs 42 cr

Considered a reputed university amongst the open learning institutions in the country, the Mysore-headquartered Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) is adding Rs 42 crore of new physical infrastructure for better administration and science teaching.

The Rs 22.50 crore administrative building, built keeping in mind the architectural style of some heritage buildings in Mysore, and Rs 19.50 crore 'Vijnana Bhavan' (science building) will be declared open by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on June 14.

Besides the two new buildings, he will also inaugurate Ram Manohar Lohia chair, instituted to mark the memory of veteran Socialist leader of the country, for taking his Socialistic thoughts and ideology to the masses. KSOU will be the second university in the country to establish a chair in Lohia's memory.

The 7,356 square metre administrative building is equipped with modern facilities like parking in the cellar, godown, spacious hall, vice-chancellor's chamber, VVIP visitors' lounge, Vice-Chancellor's meeting hall, 50-60 seating capacity air-conditioned auditorium with video-conference facility, dining hall, offices for deans and finance officers, visitors' lounge, offices for staff, record room etc.

It is also equipped with automatic gates, lifts, fire-extinguishers, CCTV cameras, remote controlled gateway, and garden, well-laid out roads and footpaths, drainages, and 150 solar lamps. Steps are being taken to plant 2,000-3,000 trees, said Vice-Chancellor M G Krishnan at a press meet today.

Similar three-floor science building accommodating all the science departments will have parking in the cellar, laboratories, class rooms, heads of department rooms, meeting hall, administrative rooms to accommodate in all 12 science departments in the building and four laboratories and 12 class rooms in each floor. Computer science and information technology laboratories and class rooms are among the facilities created and also lawns outside.

Each laboratory will accommodate 50 students for conducting experiments, while each class room will have desks for 90-100 students to sit, he said.

The Lohia Chair will organise endowment lectures, workshops and launch a website highlighting Lohia and socialism, besides making available all the programmes of the chair online. A book on socialism is also proposed. Other objectives include launching diploma courses and study camps across the State, the Vice-Chancellor added.