The Hindu

Udupi, Apr 14: Over 300 members of the Udupi district unit of the Students Federation of India (SFI) will be taking part in the ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo', which is being organised by the State unit of the federation in Bangalore on April 20.

It is in protest against the permission given to two private universities in the State and the decision on entry of foreign universities in the country.

A press release issued by SFI here on Tuesday stated that the State Government had recently passed a Bill allowing the establishment of Azim Premji University and Alliance University in the State. By doing so, the Government had abdicated its primary responsibility of providing education. As per the provisions of the Bill, the Government would have no control over these two universities.

The governing board of the Azim Premji University would have the liberty to decide on admission, fees and curricula.

Students form the State would get only 25 per cent seats in both these universities. This was a great injustice to students from economically weaker sections, Dalits, backward classes and minority communities. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government had given its nod to the Foreign Universities Bill. This would lead to domination of multinational companies in the education sector. The SFI would fight against the entry of private and foreign universities.

The Centre and the State should provide more funds and infrastructure to improve the working pattern of government-run universities. Governor H.R. Bhardwaj should not give assent to the Bill passed by the State Government, the release said.