more-in Very few colleges focus on humanities, arts and vocations at the under-graduate and post-graduation level, reveals a study conducted by Bengaluru Central University. The new varsity surveyed 225 affiliated colleges and found that only six focused on arts education, and eight on vocational education. The other category that did not receive much prominence was humanities with only 18 of these colleges offering courses related to the stream. A majority of the colleges affiliated to Bengaluru Central University focused on professional education, such as engineering, medicine, law, social work, nursing, applied health and public health. Speaking about the findings of the study, S. Japhet, Vice Chancellor of the university said that they would encourage their colleges to start courses in humanities and arts. “There is a lot of demand for these courses and students are forced to migrate to other cities to pursue courses in these fields,” he said, adding that that the varsity would revamp the social sciences syllabi after consultation with faculty members from their affiliated colleges. An expert committee comprising eminent social scientists who are faculty members of Delhi University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Jawaharlal Nehru University will advise the varsity, which is planning to start a school of social sciences. Findings of survey Colleges surveyed: 225 Colleges with focus on arts education: 6 Colleges with focus on vocational education: 8 Colleges with focus on humanities: 18 Opposition to cluster university With two of the new universities — Bengaluru Central University and Bengaluru North University — not having received any money, there seems to be growing opposition to the Maharani Cluster University, which will include VHD Central Institute of Home Science, Maharani's Arts, Commerce and Management College for Women and Maharani Science College for Women. The central government has sanctioned ?55 crore and the State government, too, has to chip in with matching grants. However, S. Japhet, Vice Chancellor of Bengaluru Central University, has written a letter to the State government stating that there is no need for a separate university as the Central College campus now houses a new university. “What is the purpose of another university in less than one kilometre radius?” he said. Ravindra Reshme, special officer, Maharani Cluster University said that there was no opposition to the cluster university and work had already begun.

Stay updated with all the Bangalore Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.