University Roundup
VTU
Study tour: A delegation consisting of members from Germany, Belgium, Pakistan, Taiwan and Singapore visited the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) campus at Machhe in Belgaum recently.
The visit was part of the delegation's tour aimed at gaining a fresh insight into the metal working aspects of Indian industry and application in academic institutions.
The 25-member delegation went around the different civil structures involving metal works and spoke to senior officials and students.
The Vice-Chancellor, K. Balaveera Reddy, the Registrar, M.S. Shivakumar, and the PG Coordinator, S.B. Dandagi, held discussions with the visitors.
The delegation also visited Ashoka Metal Works, a major metal works unit coming up at Machhe.
Though the primary objective of the delegation members was to take a fresh look at metal industries and metal structures used in academic institutions, they also wanted to promote better understanding between India and their countries.
In addition, they explored the possibilities of having tie-ups in foundry practices.
This is in view of the fact that Belgaum has world class foundry industries using state-of-the-art technology.
Vijaykumar Patil
GULBURGA UNIVERSITY
Seminar on libraries: The Gulbarga University will be hosting a one-day seminar in collaboration with the Karnataka Library Association to commemorate the National Library Week on November 18.
According to the University Librarian, Ravi Gadgimath, the seminar will deal mainly with the recent advances made in the library movement and the advent of digitalised libraries.
It will be inaugurated by the University Registrar, S.R. Rajanna. The Deputy Commissioner, Anjum Parvez, and experts will speak.
The seminar seeks to bring awareness among the people on the recent advances made in the running of libraries, including academic, public and special libraries. Digital libraries have helped users to access them from their homes and this aspect will be discussed.
T.V. Sivanandan
KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY
Inherent weakness: Film director and environmentalist, Suresh Heblikar, said that if documentaries had not been able to attract as much as recognition as the films did, it was because of their own inherent weaknesses.
Participating in an interaction with students on "Environment and Media'' at a function organised by the Post-Graduate Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of the Kuvempu University at Shankaraghatta, he said if the films had scored over documentaries as far their reach was concerned it was mainly because of the strong market base and a wider viewership.
Mr. Heblikar said though profit-making was the main motive for producing films, the creativity part should not be neglected as it was also required to achieve the profitability. He said it's no use if the films were produced only for the purpose of the narration of the story. They should try to convey something unique beyond the storyline.
He said that the process of film-making was difficult as every bit of it assumed importance. The dignity of films would take a beating if the profitability was allowed to overshadow the creativity.
Mr. Heblikar said forests alone did not make the environment; diversity was the essence of the environment which should be taken care of properly.
The Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, V.N. Bhat, presided over the function.
Pramod Mellegatti
MYSORE UNIVERSITY
Syndicate nominations: Academicians in the University of Mysore are keeping their fingers crossed as they await the list of members to be nominated by the Government to the University Syndicate.
The Syndicate was reconstituted last week as per the amendment to the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000 and eight out of 22 persons are to be nominated by the Government. While the nomination of two — R. Guru, industrialist, and Tulasidas Dasappa, former MP — has been cleared, the names of six members is yet to be announced.
The inquisitiveness of the academicians stems from the fact that the nominated persons need not necessarily be from the academic community.
This controversial move under the amended Act is perceived as an attempt by the Government to keep a hold on the University affairs.
A section of the academicians opine that the nomination process and thrusting non-academicians on the august body dilutes the institution of the University Syndicate which is the supreme body pertaining to the varsity affairs.
The process of nomination is also seen as a contradiction in terms in the present day context when the State Government is promoting the concept of autonomy to universities.
Meanwhile, as the nomination process is being finalised, a section of the lecturers aver that the process is not without its plus points either.
For, it is widely believed that the present system has reduced politics on the college campus wherein the more ambitious faculty members would lobby and indulge in politicking rather than concentrating on academic affairs.
R. Krishna Kumar
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