The nomination of six student representatives into the Bangalore University Academic Council was among the topics discussed at the council meeting on Saturday.

BU Vice-Chancellor B Thimme Gowda said the government had directed that students be nominated to the council and asked the university Syndicate to prepare draft rules and regulations for it.

“Once the report is prepared, we can send it to the government for approval,” he said. Speaking of extending the autonomous status to nine colleges in the city, Gowda approved the report submitted by the regulatory committees formed for it.

“Nine colleges, including Karnataka Chitra Kala Parishat, Mount Carmel College and National College, Basavanagudi, can continue with their autonomous status,” he said.

Gowda also pointed out that syndicate members will not be eligible to become presidents of the Local Inquiry Committee (LIC). “Members of the Syndicate can become members of the LIC only if they have subject matter knowledge. The chairmanship cannot be handed to them,” he said.  Academic Council member Karan Kumar said the government must focus on providing basic education to sexual minorities and that the one per cent reservation accorded to them is not serving any purpose. “Most people belonging to sexual minorities are not receiving high school and pre-university education. How will they be eligible for degree colleges? There has to be a focus shift to include them in basic schooling,” he said.

Among other matters discussed were appointing a special officer to monitor the proceedings of the council meetings to keep away from interference from the government and also to ensure that a Syndicate member attends the council meeting.

Courtesy: The New Indian Express, August 25,2013