Karnataka Education News

• Restoring varsity credibility her priority
  The newly-appointed Vice Chancellor of the Bijapur based Karnataka Women University Dr Geetha Bali has a task cut out for her. She has to instill a sense of credibility in the university.
  
  Dr Bali, who took over the reigns of the highly disturbed and controversial four-year-old Mahila Vishvavidyalaya on January 29, is not perturbed by the gigantic task she has ahead of her. “Offering run-of-the-mill higher education is not the only duty of the Women’s University. It is a specialised university and it certainly has a larger challenge. My priority is to make the North Karnataka women competitive and communicative by equipping them with necessary skills,’’ she said.
  
  
• Website to support SSLC students
  The first-ever online education support system for SSLC students — ekalike.com — will be launched on Monday. The portal is for both Kannada and English-medium students.
  
  Business development manager of ekalike.com Vandana S Kamath said the website has been developed by a panel of eminent educationists. "The website deals with core subjects like physics, chemistry, biology. It is backed with a huge database of questions. The students can also compare their scores with other students," she explained.
  
  
• Infosys asks Centre to open up higher education sector
  Citing constraint of talent in the country, IT major Infosys on Thursday asked the Centre to open up higher education sector, failing which India's growth would be affected.
  
  "Infrastructure and capital are not the biggest constraints of India, but availability of talent," Infosys board member T V Mohandas Pai said on the sidelines of a conference. Infosys chief mentor N R Narayanamurthy has taken up the reform process in higher education sector to the Prime Minister, who has responded positively, Pai said.
  
  
• We don't have agents: Manipal Varsity
  Manipal University on Wednesday said it doesn't have any agents anywhere in the world to facilitate admissions. This statement comes after 51 Malaysian students were allegedly duped with promises of seats at Manipal University.
  
  
• IISc gets Rs 110 cr for nanotech lab
  The IISc here has received a Rs 110-crore grant for a state-of-the-art nano-laboratory. The facility is expected to be ready in about 14 months. While the ministry of communication and information technology (MCIT) has given Rs 50 crore, the department of science and technology (DST) has chipped in with Rs 20 crore. IISc has mobilised around Rs 40 crore from the five-year plan allocation.
  
  
• IISc & Microsoft ink accord for collaborative research
  Microsoft Research today inked an agreement with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) here for sponsored research and collaborative agreement that aimed at accelerating scientific discovery process by increasing computational power in scientific and engineering research.                                    
• Information and Communication Technology(ICT) was an effective tool that can help strengthen universalising the Primary Education, IT Icon and Wipro Technology CEO Azim Premji said today.

  Delivering the Keynote address at a Conference for E-9 Countries on 'ICT for literacy', he said introduction of ICT from Primary Schools would help bring openness, responsiveness and innovation. It could usher in changes in ideas and processes and way of looking at things in the young and was a better than the 'chalk and talk' method of teaching.
  
  

• Karnataka bans mobile phones in schools from Oct 5
  Karnataka today banned use of mobilephones in Schools and colleges from October five, State Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti today announced.

  Mr Horatti told reporters here that a government order to this effect would be issued shortly. The ban would also cover the teaching faculty.
  
  

• Revamp varsity act: BKC
  Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Prof B K Chandrashekar on Thursday suggested that the State government should revamp the Karnataka State University Act as autonomy conferred on the colleges has little impact because of the rigid calendar.
  
  
• Tumkur VC happy over sanction of land
  Vice Chancellor Dr O Anantharamaiah has expressed his happiness over the sanction of land to build the Tumkur University campus.

  The long cherished dream of the people of Tumkur will be fulfiled by this, he said addressing a press conference here on Thursday.
  
  

• Kuvempu univ to set up culture study centre
  Kuvempu varsity in association with Ghent University of Belgium will setup Centre for Study of Culture. Preliminary meeting was held on August 17 in which representatives from Ghent University also took part, informed Vice Chancellor of Kuvempu University Prof B S Sherigar.
  
  
• Karnataka wants to set up Gulbarga Central University
  The Karnataka Government will approach the Prime Minister tomorrow to press for setting up a Central University in Gulbarga, Home Minister M P Prakash informed the State Assembly today.

  Replying to an issue raised by Leader of the Opposition, N Dharam Singh, he said the Government would submit a memorandum in this regard to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
  
  

• Music University to be established in Mysore
  The City of Palaces, which had produced legendary Musicians like Veena Sheshanna, Doreswamy Iyengar and T Chowdaiah, would soon have Music University.

  Disclosing this to newsmen, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy would lay foundation stone for the university during First week of August.
  
  

• Karnataka rules out sex education in schools
  The Karnataka government today ruled out introduction of sex education in schools following widespread protest against the move.

  Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti told newspersons here that Union Human Resources Ministry under the Adolescence Education Programme had sent a set of material for implementation of sex education.
  
  

• 251 nursing schools get admission nod
  The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday permitted 251 nursing schools and 25 nursing colleges to make admissions for the academic year 2007-908. The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice B S Patil. Around 512 nursing schools and colleges had been derecognised due to lack of infrastructure. However, the Karnataka Nursing Council stated in an affidavit that after a meeting it was decided that 251 nursing schools would be granted provisional recognition.
  
  
• Medical seat fee hike not possible
  There is no chance of increasing the government medical seats fees in private colleges, said Medical Education Department Director Ramananda Shetty.

  Speaking to reporters he said private medical colleges had put forward a proposal before the government with regard to the fee hike in private medical colleges in view of the hike in teaching faculty‘s payment. The private colleges authority had asked the government to increase the fee from Rs 35,000 to Rs1.35 lakh to bear the loss, he added.
  
  

• Bangalore students eye NewGen courses
  Non-academic courses, invariably branded as niche and non-lucrative, are now finding takers. Boasting a prime coffee-growing and marketing region, Karnataka has on offer a decent array of courses to prepare students for the coffee industry.

  Engineering, medicine and MBA courses may still retain much of their popularity, but City students are increasingly looking beyond them, at the potential of new-age, non-academic disciplines. With almost all the exam results out, it’s that time of year when students explore exciting, unconventional alternatives: from DJing to jewellry/fashion design to coffee-tasting and a whole lot else.
  
  

• English in Kannada schools from June 1
  The State Government is geared up to introduce English as a subject in first standard in Kannada medium from June 1 in government schools, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Basavaraj Horatti said on Friday.

  During an interaction with the media, Mr Horatti refused to react to the threat by Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Chandrashekhar Patil to launch an agitation against the government’s decision. “We have decided to introduce English after much deliberation and also based on a survey report. We’ll go ahead with the decision,” he said.
  
  

• Rule may apply for CBSE too
  Schools, which have been given no-objection certificates from the state to run the CBSE syllabus, may have to teach in the Kannada medium for some time.

  Primary and secondary education minister Basavaraj S Horatti said: "The Centre has to give them permission to run their schools as per the CBSE syllabus. We have just given NoCs. Till they get this permission, they may have to function in Kannada medium itself."
  
  

• Students pay the price
  The Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed the 2,000-odd derecognised schools to proceed with admissions only in the medium of instruction permitted by the government.

  These schools can impart education only in Kannada and not in English. The government derecognised 2,200 schools for imparting education in English, though they had taken permission to have medium of instruction in Kannada.
  
  

• Erring schools get a rap
  Coming to the rescue of the state government, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed the 2,000-odd derecognised schools to proceed with admissions only in the medium of instruction permitted by the government.

  These schools can impart education only in Kannada and not in English, as they are currently doing in violation of government orders. The government derecognised 2,200 schools for imparting education in English, though they had taken permission to have medium of instruction in Kannada.
  
  

• Only 50% pass II PU; coastal districts top
  Only 50% of the students who appeared for the second-year pre-university April 2007 examinations have passed. As against last year (53.97%), the overall pass percentage this year was 50.64 — a dip of 3.

  The results were up on the net on Thursday evening and will be announced in all colleges on Friday at 4 pm.
  
  

• Ray of hope for bright students
  Chief minister H D Kumarswamy promised to safeguard the interests of poor and meritorious students,who have passed SSLC examination recently at Rattihalli (Hirekerur taluk), on Sunday evening.

  The CM, showing concern to the parents' plight at getting their wards admitted to elite colleges due to heavy donations, promised to help them.
  
  

• Distance education launched for prisoners
  A unique programme was launched to enable the inmates in Mysore Central Jail to study and become degree holders. This was a state government initiative implemented with inputs from Bangalore University Directorate of Correspondence Courses and Distance Education. Karnataka Co-operation Minister G T Deve Gowda distributed the learning materials to the inmates at a simple function yesterday.
  
  
• No sex education in K'taka schools now: Minister
  Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti today ruled out the immediate introduction of sex education at high school level in the state.

  Speaking after a meeting with the experts and teachers on the issue, he told reporters here that the government would follow democratic process in implementing the sex education in schools only after going through the pros and cons of sex education as there was a wide spread opposition to it.
  
  

• Uncertainty dogs English medium students
  Even as the academic year came to an end more than a fortnight ago, the future of students from derecognised English medium schools hangs in the balance with the government not rehabilitating the students.
  
  
• Sex education to be introduced in Karnataka schools
  Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development M A A Fatimi today made it clear that sex education would be introduced in educational institutions in the State soon.

  Talking to reporters here, he said the Centre was determined to introduce sex education, keeping in mind the growing threat of HIV/AIDS.
  
  

• Fresh admissions in Kannada medium only
  As per the decision, students already studying in these schools (in class 2, 3 and 4) will continue in English medium. But the fresh admissions for class 1 for the coming academic year will be for Kannada medium only.

  In a perfect balancing act, the State Cabinet on Thursday decided in favour of three lakh students of private schools that have violated medium of instruction rules, while penalising the management by imposing fine.
  
  

• Fine on schools functioning over Language Policy
  The Karnataka Cabinet today decided to impose fine on Schools functioning against the State Language Policy, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Basavaraj Horatti said today.

  Talking to newsmen here, he said that the Cabinet which met here, decided to impose fine ranging from Rs One Lakh to Rs 25,000 depending upon the area in which the Schools are functioning.
  
  

• 200 more high schools planned, says Horatti
  Come June 2007 and 200 high schools and 100 government junior colleges will be established in the state. A proposal in this regard is awaiting clearance from the government, said education minister Basavraj Horatti.
  
  
• Kannada must for students shifting to state syllabus
  Students shifting to state syllabus (SSLC) from CBSE or ICSE would now have to study Kannada compulsorily, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday held. Justice Ram Mohan Reddy while upholding a circular of the State government in this regard observed, “as long as you study in a particular state, you must study that language.”
  
  
• Karnataka to intro changes in syllabus to meet needs
  A proposal to either include or modify existing syllabus in Higher Education to meet the present day needs is on anvil, Karnataka Minister for Higher Education D H Shankaramurthy said today.

  Talking to newsmen here, after a preliminary meeting with Vice Chancellors of various Universities, education experts and other organisations, he said that a Committee would be set up to recommend proposals including financial commitments, if any, to the government soon. Based on the recommendations, another round of meeting would be held before taking a final decision, he added.
  
  

• Mysore peta in, graduation cap outAdd to Clippings
  The British legacy will give way to Mysore peta. In a significant move, the Inter-University Board (IUB) on Friday decided to ban the use of convocation caps adorned by students and faculty during convocation ceremonies.
  
  
• Fire breaks out in IISc's Molecular Laboratory
  Over a dozen research students and scientists in the prestigious Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) had a providential escape when a major fire broke out at the Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory barely few minutes after they left for the day here last night.
  
  
• Manipal varsity to set up off-shore campus in Antigua
  The Manipal University and the Government of Antigua and Barbados have recently entered into an agreement for setting up an off-shore campus of the university in Antigua.
  
  
• Govt cuts engg, medical fees
  A day after it expressed its inability to extend subsidy to higher-fee-category students in CET admissions, the state cabinet did a U-turn on Wednesday: it decided to effect a fee cut for medical, dental and engineering courses.
  
  
• Microsoft partners with IISc, IIT-M to start summer schools
  Microsoft Research India has started its Research Summer Schools, as part of its efforts to promote better computer education in the country. Microsoft Research Summer schools will be held annually, helping participants learn from leading international experts and network with the global research community. The schools will introduce students and young researchers to important areas such as cryptography, algorithms and complexity.
  
  
• Renaming of Gulbarga University: HDK's assurance causes a stir
  Chief Minister H D Kumaaraswamy’s assurance that the Gulbarga University would be named after the 12th century social reformer Lord Basaveshwara has literally stirred a hornet’s nest here, with pro and anti-stands being taken by different organisations.
  
  
• Wipro partners with Selectica
  Selectica Inc., provider of sales execution and contract management applications, and Wipro Technologies announced a strategic partnership that will leverage the power of Selectica's configuration and pricing technology and the domain expertise of Wipro to help large manufacturers accelerate product introductions and process sales transactions.
  
  
• Rural folk have revitalised Tulu: VC
  Daivaradhane reflects the human tendency to transcend physical limitations and attain spiritual heights, opined Hampi Kannada University Vice Chancellor Vivek Rai. He was speaking after releasing Nudi Singara, a book on word power used in Daivaradhane, in the city on Sunday.
  
  
• Never ending problems of Tumkur University
  Tumkur University, which was started with much expectations, is yet to come out of problems. The university has been functioning without adequate infrastructure ever since it was started.
  
  
• Revamp RGUHS, governor tells govt
  Miffed by the spate of scams in the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), governor T N Chaturvedi has sought a complete revamp of the functioning of the university. Chaturvedi, also chancellor of universities, has not only sought a periodical review of the functioning, but also wants the statutes and rules governing the university to be amended to improve functioning.
  
  
• Kuvempu varsity’s zero budget okayed for 2006-07
• New eligibility norms for BE, MBBS courses
• Shocker for engg, dental students - many colleges disqualified
• After IT/BT, it's BBM now
• Bangalore varsity to overhaul exam system
• States' NOC not must for new colleges
• Governor inaugurates Bio-Science Complex of Kuvempu Varsity
• 6 Mysore colleges get autonomy
• Naxals plan to attack Kuvempu varsity
• IISc mulls foreign campus by 2009
• Environmentalists demand alternate land for Tumkur university
• IT's shining: Bangalore University attracts foreign varsities
• Govt "proposes" to set up Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati at Bangalore Univ: Dharam Singh
• No land yet for Kuvempu Study Centre in BU campus
• International centre in name of Kuvempu sought
• Learning guaranteed by govt & Azim Premji
• Colleges are on the rise in State, so are vacancies
• Save education, keep MLAs off school panels: NGO MAYA
• Christ College, St Joseph's, Jyoti Nivas: will they get autonomy?
• Scots promote Chips in India, to train chip designers
• Accreditation of government and private-aided colleges to be completed by March, 2006: CM
• Autonomy for 35 Karnataka colleges
• No infrastructure at Tumkur varsity
• Kannada varsity to start course in Kuvempu literature
• VTU to tie up with Sydney University
• Tumkur University to be operational from 2004
• Government to rethink on establishing Tumkur University
• Anxious wait for SSLC 2004 students continues
• Mix and match of SSLC exam centres
• Bangalore a hot destination for foreign students
• Karnatak varsity to offer PG in genetics
• OK Play India - Moulded toys for schools, play homes.