From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jun 20: The D V Sadananda Gowda regime has decided to set up a Karnataka State Academy of Higher Education for imparting training in teaching, capacity building and skill development of fresh arts, commerce and science post-graduates of various universities.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the higher education council presided by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who is also holding the higher education portfolio, on Wednesday.
The Academy would start a training programme on experimental basis in University of Tumkur from this academic year.
The State Government presently recruits MA, M.Com and M.Sc. graduates for teaching jobs in colleges without formal training in teaching.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Vice-chairman of the Council and Vice-Chancellor of University of Tumkur Dr S C Sharma said the aim of the Academy was impart training for fresh post-graduates who opts for teaching in various colleges.
Experts would offer training for 6 to 12 months which would help candidates to obtain basic skills of teaching, communication, leadership etc.
Poor quality of teaching and lack of expertise were major reasons for establishment of the Academy, he said.
The Academy would also offer training for in-service lecturers.
Karnataka was the first state in the country to establish such a training academy for lecturers, Dr Sharma said.
The meeting decided to submit a proposal to the Centre seeking funds for the Academy in the 12th plan.
Eligibility Criteria for Private Universities
The State Higher Education Department Principal Secretary Siddaiah said the State Government has decided to evolve eligibility criteria and procedures for submitting prosals for setting private universities in Karnataka.
With many private educational institutions submitting proposals to set up private universities in the State, he said it has become imperative to evolve eligibility criteria and procedure to submit proposals for establishing private universities.
It may be recalled that the State Cabinet had recently permitted the Manipal Group of Educational Institutions, Manipal; Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore; Gokul Education Trust, Bangalore; and Jain Group of Institutions, Bangalore; to set up private universities in the State.
The necessary Legislative Bills providing for setting up private universities would be tabled in the next session of the Legislature.
The Azim Premji University and Alliance University have been already established in the private sector.
It is learnt that many private educational institutions demanded hundreds of acres of lands around Bangalore for setting up the universities.