Varsity sidelines State government's directive; refuses nod to PG courses in 6 colleges

August 26, 2011

VC

Mangalore, August 26: In one of the significant decisions taken by the Mangalore University Academic Council on Thursday, the Council refused to blindly grant permission to start new post graduation courses in the government degree colleges as per the colleges' demand.

The decision has been taken in contrary to the recent directive issued by the State government instructing the seven government degree colleges that come under Mangalore University to introduce PG courses from the academic year 2011-12.

Addressing the second special meeting of the Academic Council at Mangalore University Senate Hall, University Vice Chancellor Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy said that the decision was taken based on the recommendations of the committees formed to examine the infrastructure facilities in seven colleges.

Accordingly, the Council has approved to start six PG courses in five colleges against the demand to start 17 PG courses by seven colleges. The Council did not grant permission to start 11 courses as demanded by six colleges. The Council declined the permission to start PG courses which was sought by two colleges namely Government First Grade College, Hebri, and Government First Grade College, Bantwal. On the other hand, the Committee permitted Rukmini Shedthi Memorial National Government First Grade College, Barkur, to introduce PG course in Maths, even though the College had sought permission for introducing PG courses in Economics, Physics, Maths, Psychology and Information Science.

The Council has granted fresh affiliation for M.Com course to Manjunath Pai Memorial Government First Grade College, Karkala and MA Kannada and MSW courses to Government First Grade College, Vittal. The request to introduce M.Com course in Vittal was denied. The Government First Grade College, Uppinangady, received permission to introduce M.Com course, while the College's plea to start MA Kannada course was denied. The Government First Grade College, Kushalnagar was denied of permission to start MA in Political Science while the college was permitted to introduce PG in Sociology.

Lack of infrastructure

The VC said that the reason behind not granting permission to start all the PG courses as per the government's instruction was due to poor faculty and infrastructure facilities in the colleges. “As per the committees observation, there is a huge shortage of faculty in most of the colleges. When the colleges are falling short of faculty members to teach degree students, how can they provide justice to the post graduate students?” he asked.

The Council also declined the recommendation of Joint Director Nataraj Urs who suggested to extend the number of seats in M.Com and MSW course in Barkur College. The VC declined the recommendation saying, “the college lacks infrastructure to teach the present number of students and it can not afford to teach more number of students.”

He informed that permission was granted to the colleges to start PG courses based on certain conditions. The government has laid down few norms with regard to the introduction of PG courses and the University can't break those norms while granting the permission. If the colleges come up with better infrastructure, permission will be granted to start post graduation courses from the next academic year, he stated. The University will send the order copy to the colleges on August 26 and the colleges are expected to finish the admission process within 10 days. The Vice Chancellor has asked the colleges to cover the syllabus within the prescribed time by engaging classes on holidays.

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News Network
November 19,2024

pool_0.jpg

In the wake of the tragic drowning of three students at a resort near Ullal on the outskirts of Mangaluru city, the tourism department in Dakshina Kannada is set to implement comprehensive safety guidelines for properties with swimming pools or beach access. This initiative aims to ensure guest safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.

New Safety Mandates for Resorts and Homestays

Rashmi S.R., deputy director (in-charge) of the tourism department, announced, “We will instruct all homestays and resorts to enforce precautionary measures, especially those with pools or direct beach access. Properties must ensure 24/7 supervision, particularly during guest hours. This tragedy highlights the importance of having trained personnel on-site.”

Key Safety Guidelines

The district, home to around 150 homestays and 130 resorts, will see the following measures enforced:

  • Clearly displaying pool depths.
  • Installing adequate safety equipment, such as life buoys.
  • Employing trained lifeguards at all times.
  • Establishing clear pool operating hours.
  • Reviewing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for pool and beach usage.

Booming Beach Tourism Calls for Vigilance

Manohar Shetty, president of the Association for Coastal Tourism (ACT), Udupi, highlighted the growing popularity of beachside resorts, particularly during peak seasons. Properties in Udupi, often fully booked with tourists from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kodagu, and Shivamogga, face increasing pressure to maintain safety standards.

Udupi district boasts 22 beachside commercial properties catering to this rising demand.

Shetty emphasized, “Authorities must scrutinize safety measures and carefully evaluate guidelines before issuing new resort licenses. Panchayats should rely on the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act when handling such cases.”

Long-Term Solutions for Water Safety

Recognizing the need for a cultural shift in water safety, Shetty proposed integrating swimming lessons into school curricula. This move would not only equip students with essential skills but also encourage safe participation in water-based activities.

A Safer Tomorrow for Coastal Tourism

As the tourism sector thrives, Mangaluru’s proactive approach underscores its commitment to visitor safety. The tragic incident serves as a wake-up call, propelling the industry towards stricter regulations and better preparedness, ensuring that coastal vacations remain both enjoyable and safe.

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News Network
November 15,2024

Udupi: The Tourism Department is planning a major eco-friendly development initiative for Kamini Island, located near the Blue Flag-certified Padubidri End Point beach, aiming to attract more visitors while maintaining environmental sustainability.

Assistant Director Kumar CU emphasized that, given the island’s proximity to the Blue Flag beach, all development efforts will center around eco-friendly practices. “We are looking to enhance the Kamini River and the island’s surroundings by adding a hanging bridge, nature trails, and eco-friendly food courts offering traditional cuisine. Visitors will also be able to reach the island by pedal boats or kayaking,” he said.

The development project is estimated to cost between Rs 3 crore and Rs 4 crore. Meanwhile, the Blue Flag beach, Padubidri, continues to see a steady flow of visitors. Vijay Shetty, manager of the beach, shared that tenders for food courts and water sports have been awarded to private parties. Recently, three new coracles have been introduced, which are proving to be a hit with visitors. Additionally, three more shelters are expected to be ready by November 20.

Shetty mentioned that the beach can now accommodate between 2,500 and 3,000 visitors daily, although footfall remains lower than other district beaches due to user fees and activity restrictions. “Initially, most visitors were from Mangaluru, but now nearly 40% come from other districts, showing a shift in the visitor demographics,” Shetty noted.

To further boost tourism and promote a healthy lifestyle, a Beach Carnival is set to take place on November 23-24, featuring the National Sea Swimming Championship and a sea marathon in collaboration with the Padubidri JCI, which is celebrating its golden jubilee. Cultural events will be held at the main beach, with some sports events taking place at the Blue Flag beach. Emphasis will be placed on making all activities environmentally friendly.

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News Network
November 17,2024

Mangaluru: District-in-Charge Minister and Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao, announced that a day-care chemotherapy centre will soon be established at District Wenlock Hospital. Speaking to mediapersons after reviewing the activities at Wenlock and Government Lady Goschen Hospital, he shared the government’s plans to enhance healthcare services in the region.

Key Initiatives Announced

•    Day-Care Chemotherapy Centre:

  • Ten beds will be reserved for cancer patients.
  • The government will collaborate with Yenepoya Hospital to provide chemotherapy treatments.
  • All required facilities for the centre are already in place, awaiting inauguration by the Chief Minister.

•    Wenlock Hospital Facelift:

  • Critical Care Block: To be built at a cost of ₹24 crore.
  • Integrated Public Health (IPH) Lab: Planned with a budget of ₹1 crore.
  • New OPD Block: As per a 2017 agreement, KMC Hospital will take up construction. Discussions with KMC management are underway.

•    Additional Requirements:

  • A new mortuary and post-mortem building.
  • Paramedical college building.
  • Modern kitchen.
  • Bridge connecting two buildings within the hospital.

•    Total facelift cost: ₹6 crore to ₹10 crore, utilizing funds from the Department of Health and Family Welfare and CSR contributions.

•    Timeline:
By December or January, priority works will be finalized. The superintendents of Wenlock and Lady Goschen Hospitals are scheduled to visit Bengaluru next week to discuss these projects.

•    MRI Fee Allegations:
The minister assured that allegations of patients being charged for MRI scans at Wenlock Hospital will be resolved at the earliest.
These measures aim to improve healthcare accessibility and infrastructure, positioning Wenlock Hospital as a state-of-the-art facility in the region.

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