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Bengaluru: With 163 teaching and 123 non-teaching posts still vacant, Bengaluru City University (BCU) faces an urgent need for recruitment even as it is in the midst of an unprecedented expansion. BCU has undergone a transformation over the past four years, expanding from seven to 23 departments and increasing its student population more than tenfold, the university said in a detailed statement issued Sunday. Prof Lingaraja Gandhi, who is stepping down after completing his four-year term as the university's second vice-chancellor, highlighted its achievements since he assumed charge during the challenging Covid-19 pandemic in April 2021.
Acknowledging that staff positions remain vacant, Prof Gandhi emphasised the "need to fill them as soon as possible to further enhance the quality of academics and administration". "After the trifurcation of Bangalore University, it was my privilege to lay a strong foundation for the new university and lead it on the path of progress. I'm happy to share with you the progress of the university, while also expressing hope that the goals yet to be achieved will be realised by the incoming vice-chancellor," Prof Gandhi stated in the release.
In the last four years, BCU launched a year-long vaccination campaign at Central College's Jnana Jyothi campus during the pandemic, providing free vaccination to approximately 30,000 people as part of its social responsibility initiatives. It has grown exponentially, with student numbers increasing from 480 to 5,000 on campus. Additionally, BCU now encompasses 210 affiliated colleges with approximately 1.
4 lakh students, up from 36,000 at its inception. The institution has also admitted 120 PhD students across 33 research centres this year. The university's Global Language Centre now offers 14 foreign languages, and BCU has established academic partnerships with 12 foreign universities.
New centres, including the Wolverhampton University Centre and a Russian Studies Centre, are slated to open soon. Another key achievement under his tenure was the establishment of a women's college in Malleswaram, which currently educates around 500 students. BCU's financial position has strengthened considerably, with its budget surging from Rs 3.
5 crore at its inception to Rs 233 crore currently. This fiscal growth has helped BCU secure the 10th position among public universities in the country, the statement read. "As BCU continues to grow as a beacon of new hope, I remain deeply indebted to all those who supported and encouraged all our endeavours for progress," Prof Gandhi said.
As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the historic Central College — which was established in 1858 and is the centre of BCU — extensive redevelopment work has been carried out. The heritage buildings have been modernised at a cost of Rs 168 crore, including the construction of a new academic block and a state-of-the-art sports complex. Prof Gandhi also highlighted other infrastructure improvements, including a modernised and digitised library, upgraded science laboratories, a rejuvenated campus garden, and sustainable facilities such as a waste processing unit, rainwater harvesting system, and solar energy installations.
Security measures have been improved with raised compound walls and CCTV installations..
