Bangalore City University to be renamed after Dr. Manmohan Singh
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has announced that Bangalore City University will be renamed as Dr. Manmohan Singh Bangalore City University as part of efforts to develop it into a model institution. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who made the announcement while presenting the state budget, also revealed several key initiatives aimed at strengthening higher education in Karnataka.
In a significant push for educational reforms, the Chief Minister said that Government Arts College and Government RC College would be developed as constituent colleges of the university. He further announced a Rs. 2,500 crore project proposed over the next four years, with assistance from the World Bank, to enhance first-grade colleges across the state, establish Centres of Excellence, and boost research capacity.
To strengthen women’s higher education, the government had already upgraded 31 women’s colleges in the previous year. An additional Rs. 26 crore has been allocated for improving the infrastructure of 26 more colleges. In an effort to improve faculty availability, 2,000 vacant teaching positions in government first-grade colleges, engineering colleges, and polytechnics will be filled.
The budget also includes Rs. 275 crore to provide necessary infrastructure to government engineering colleges, polytechnics, and degree colleges, and Rs. 10 crore for equipping newly established polytechnics and engineering colleges with furniture, computers, and books.
A significant international academic collaboration was also announced. Through the Chevening Karnataka Masters Fellowship, female students from government degree colleges in Karnataka will have the opportunity to pursue a one-year postgraduate degree in prestigious universities in England.
To enhance practical knowledge and increase employability among students, the government will appoint ‘Professors of Practice’—industry professionals who will provide hands-on training and mentorship—at 16 government engineering colleges in the state. Additionally, Rs. 30 crore has been allocated to upgrade the Unified University & College Management System (UUCMS) software, which is used for managing higher educational institutions.
As part of the expansion of technical education, a unit college of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) will be established in Chintamani taluk of Chikkaballapur district at a cost of Rs. 150 crore.
The government has also partnered with the Azim Premji Foundation to provide refresher training for all college education department teachers within the next three years. Furthermore, in collaboration with industries, the government will launch an internship program and special corporate training schemes to equip students with market-relevant skills and enhance their employability.
A special skill development program for 23,000 students will be organized by the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) at a cost of Rs. 10 crore. Additionally, a Prof. Nanjunda Swamy Research Chair will be established at the University of Mysore to promote academic research and scholarship.
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UP: Govt hospital staff booked for sexually assaulting woman in pretext of ultrasound test
Gorakhpur (PTI): A hospital employee was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the pretext of an ultrasound test here in the district women's hospital, police said on Saturday.
According to the complaint, the woman, a resident of the Gulriha area, visited the district women's hospital on Thursday morning for an ultrasound test.
She was directed to a room, where Abhimanyu Gupta was conducting ultrasounds. When her turn came, the accused allegedly stared at her and told her to remove all her clothes, claiming it was necessary for the test and that a massage would also be required, she said.
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The woman alleged that once she complied, the accused began making obscene advances and tried to force himself on her. When she screamed, he allegedly gagged her, abused her and threatened to kill her before pushing her out of the room.
She said her complaints within the hospital went unheard, forcing her to approach the police.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the hospital administration constituted a three-member inquiry committee, officials said.
Senior consultant (paediatrics) Dr Jay Kumar said, "The woman has levelled serious allegations against a staff member. Senior officials have been informed, and a departmental inquiry is underway. Strict action will be taken if the charges are proved."
Kotwali Station House Officer Chatrapal Singh said a case has been registered, and efforts are on to nab the accused.
