In a major shift towards making graduates industry-ready, all the syllabi of Bangalore University, barring perhaps Humanities, are set to undergo a review under the guidance of industry leaders.
The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), the apex body of industries in Karnataka, and Bangalore University will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard soon.
The university has agreed in principle to establish an industry chair to study and research on constantly updating various syllabi to make students industry-ready. The quality shift is the result of an initiative by FKCCI president NS Srinivasa Murthy and university vice-chancellor N Prabhu Dev.
Fresh graduates from the university appearing for campus interviews were found to be below par for the various responsibilities they were supposed to take up in industry and commerce, Srinivasa Murthy said.
Detailing his plan of action for the year ahead, Murthy said, “Leading industrialists have felt for some time that the fault for functional illiteracy lies partly with outdated syllabus and partly with inept faculty. The leading industries, which absorb the students, have to spend a lot of time, energy and money to make them functional. Instead, the industry is willing to support the university with cash and kind to help generate better-equipped students for the industrial service.”
Murthy said he was according top priority to the initiative and that he had already held a meeting with Prabhu Dev and university registrar RM Ranganath. A team of two officials — one each from the FKCCI and University — is currently drafting the MoU. After it is signed, a subcommittee of industrial experts and academics will be formed for a thorough perusal of the syllabuses.
“This is true as much of engineering students as of journalism students who are found to be wanting in new-horizon knowledge that is required to be able to perform effectively,” Ranganath said. He confirmed that the university was working with FKCCI on a tie-up.
