Bangalore University's Review & Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

Nestled in a lush green oasis, Bangalore University, an institution steeped in history, is strategically located on the outskirts of Bangalore. It offers convenient access with a nearby Metro station and sprawls across 1100 acres, providing a serene backdrop for focused academic pursuits. The campus features six distinct academic blocks, encompassing Arts, Science, Commerce & Management, Education, Law, and Engineering, ensuring a diverse educational experience.

However, concerns have arisen about student safety, with theft incidents, particularly of Oakwood, casting a shadow on the university's reputation and security measures. While renowned for its history, the institution grapples with controversies, such as irregular PhD examination schedules and student protests calling for improved facilities like Wi-Fi, 24/7 library access, modern classrooms, and enhanced canteen services. This underscores the need for prestigious institutions to adapt to changing student expectations.

Bangalore University NIRF Ranking

Bangalore University’s overall ranking has risen from 68 in 2020 to 64 in 2022. 

Our Take: The upward trajectory in Bangalore University's ranking indicates a concerted effort to enhance campus facilities and incorporate student input. Nevertheless, the backdrop of student protests and petitions underscores the university's ongoing need for substantial improvements. Although NIRF rankings are soaring, Bangalore University must not turn its back on students' concerns and complaints. This can affect the NIRF ranking in future.

Bangalore University Academia & Batch

Bangalore University boasts a curriculum encompassing 50 Post Graduate Courses alongside Employment Oriented Diploma and Certificate Courses. The introduction of Five-year Integrated Courses in Biological Sciences is noteworthy. However, the academic schedule, with 5-15 classes per week and penalties for missed lectures, may raise concerns about flexibility and student-friendliness.

While the university claims to offer smart classrooms, 24/7 Wi-Fi, and library access, the actual availability of these facilities for students remains a subject of doubt.

The student-to-teacher ratio, at 7646:188, stands at a modest 2.6%, potentially limiting individualized guidance. Students have cited challenges in finding experienced faculty members with a thorough grasp of their subjects, exacerbated by language barriers as teachers often communicate in the local dialect. This linguistic hurdle can be particularly challenging for students from outside Karnataka.

Additionally, reports of inadequate classroom space, resulting in time-consuming searches for available rooms, underscore potential infrastructure constraints. These factors collectively reflect areas where Bangalore University may need to further address and enhance its educational offerings.

Scholarships

Bangalore University provides various scholarships to students as below:

• Government of India Post-Matric Scholarships 

• Minorities Scholarship

• Special Scholarships

• Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship

• Honourable Vice Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship

Our Take:

Although Bangalore University offers a range of student facilities such as smart classrooms and Wi-Fi, significant challenges emerge due to insufficient space for accommodating the student population. As the university ages, it becomes increasingly clear that comprehensive maintenance and upgrades are imperative to meet contemporary requirements. The scholarships extended by the university are commendable, indicating a commitment to supporting economically disadvantaged students and a dedication to equal opportunity without discrimination.

Bangalore University Infrastructure

Bangalore University seems to be quite good with various amenities like a swimming pool, gym, badminton court, football ground, basketball court, and libraries. Students claim that the facilities in the classroom are of low grade and outdated. Also, the equipment in the lab is getting rusty and must have a person in charge.

Library 

The total collection of the University library has around 3,36,000 books and 175 current periodicals, including 8,554 Theses and Dissertations. BU Library is supposed to have 7,500 online journals under the UGC-INFONET Programme. Every department has one library and one central library for students to access.

Health Care Centre

There is a health care centre at Jnana Bharathi Campus which is handled by 2 resident doctors. Students can have free medical checkups by showing their ID cards for common treatments like cold and fever, free of cost at Bangalore University Health Centre. Services for visiting specialised doctors are also available. Specialised doctors visit twice a week.

Sports Facility

Bangalore University claims to have various sports facilities such as Cricket Ground, Swimming Pool, Outdoor Stadium, Indoor Stadium, Athletics, hockey, football, volleyball, and others. However, several protests have been conducted by the students to improve the sports infrastructure as well.

Hostel

Bangalore University has 6 boys hostels and 1 girls hostel in Jnana Bharathi Campus, 1 boys and 2 Girls hostel in Central College Campus, 1 Boys and 1 Girls hostel in PG Centre, Kolar Campus. All hostels have basic amenities like water purifiers, a common room, a recreation room, a mess, TV, laundry services, security and surveillance system etc.

Each room has been provided with a bed, table and chair, and cupboard. The hostel rooms are available in 2, 3, and 4-sharing basis. The average fee of the hostel is 60,000 per year which can vary depending on the number of beds shared in the room. Mess food is included in the fee structure. The quality of Mess food is moderate and the menu varies. Students leaving the hostel premises for personal reasons are required to get permission from concerned authorities.

Labs

Bangalore University has several laboratories based on the number of departments such as Civil Engineering Lab, Chemistry Lab, Computer Lab, Electrical Lab, Electronics Lab, Mechanical Lab, Data Structure Lab, DBMS Lab, Visual Programming Lab, Unix Lab, Communication Lab, Microprocessor Lab, VLSI Lab, Simulation Lab, Power Electronics Lab, GIS Lab

Other Facilities

Other facilities include Canteens, a Bank, Post Office, Guest House, NSS Bhawan, Senate Hall, and Prof.Venkatagiri Gowda Memorial Hall. There is also a bus shuttle service available for commuting.

Activities

Every year Bangalore University conducts a Youth Festival or Annual Fest, which includes various inter-college competitions. These competitions include both indoor and outdoor activities.

Our Take: Based on student feedback and our investigation, Bangalore University's infrastructure is generally in good condition. Nevertheless, as the university continues to age, a heightened focus on addressing deteriorating infrastructure elements is crucial to ensure that students can fully leverage the available facilities. 

Bangalore University Internships & Placements

To gain practical knowledge and work experience, Bangalore University provides internship opportunities to students. The internship can be for a few weeks to months based on the course opted. Internships are offered in the following fields:

• Education and Research
• Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Banking and Finance
• Media and Communication
• Manufacturing and Engineering
• IT & Software Development

However, according to some students, some departments didn’t provide internships until the last semester. Also, some of the internships were unpaid.

Our Take: The university claims to provide internships to the students there’s no certainty about the same. The university is required to take an active approach in training students and preparing them for the real world before they set out for their journeys.

Placements

Bangalore University has a specialised placement cell that helps students get job opportunities based on their caliber. The university conducts various pre-university seminars, mock interviews, group discussions, etc to prepare students for the final interviews. 

Some students find the placement process useful and some don’t. According to some students, the placement cell doesn’t actively help students get jobs and are required to reach out the companies on their own. Only students with 76% in academics are allowed to sit for the placement interviews.

Course-Wise Placement

According to the NIRF report 2022, have a look at the course-wise placement for Bangalore University below:

Under Graduate course (5 Years):

Post Graduate course (1 Year):

Post Graduate course (2 Years):

Post Graduate course (3 Years):

PG Integrated course (5 Years):

Our Take:

Bangalore University has an overall placement rate of 64% on average. Although there has been an increase in the placement percentage in a few courses, there are certain courses where the number of students placed each year is still the same as in previous years. Considering the popularity of the university, the placement rate is not bad but has a scope for improvement.

Bangalore University Diversity & Representation

Partiality between students of Karnataka and Other states. Students claim that students from Karnataka score more marks than outside state students. Professors are more friendly and helpful to the Karnataka students. Although this happens with a few professors, outside Karnataka students feel out of the place initially until either they are used to it or make some friends who can help them settle.

Diversification based on Gender

Diversification based on Demographics

Our Take:

Based on the data above, it is clear that the male-to-female ratio is considerable which shows that the university believes in providing equal opportunities to both male and female candidates. 

But when it comes to Demographics, the University has most of the students from Karnataka state and few from Outside state and country. This is a point to be noticed because as the world progresses there are more opportunities for diversity and inclusion. Bangalore University must find ways to encourage students from outside the state and country to take admission and also train teachers to accommodate them. If more preference is given to the English language and if students feel inclusive, this can be overcome.

Bangalore University: Faculty/ Administration & Management

According to the feedback that we have received from students, the faculty at Bangalore University is biased towards the Karnataka state students. Students from Outside Karnataka have sensed some partiality in marking of internal and practical exams. 

University administration is known to turn a deaf ear in listening to students’ concerns and responding to their requests. There have been cases where there was a delay in releasing degree certificates from the University from the students who passed out two years ago. This created a concern for the students willing to continue their studies abroad. This should be taken on utmost priority and prevented from affecting students' careers.

Our Take: The university must take the process of evaluation and administration more to heart and follow the provided schedule. There have been cases of constant changes in the schedule and delays in the release of mark sheets and certificates.

Bangalore University Location

Bangalore University is located on the outskirts of Bangalore on Mysore Road in Jnana Bharathi. The Kempegowda International Airport is 44.9 kilometres away. Nayandahalli Railway Station is 4.1 kilometres. Bande Maramma Bus Station is around 3.6 Kilometers and is the closest. Although the environment in the university is peaceful, it would be unsafe for students to step out at night. As the outsider entry cannot be restricted due to usage of the route by residents. There is a risk due to the continuous movement of cars around the area and instances of certain Oakwood thieves.

Bangalore University Expectation vs Reality: CollegeDekho's Verdict

The popularity of the University and its peaceful environment can lure students to this place. Also, as this university is run by the Government, the education expense can be a bit less compared to other private universities. Although the university has several facilities available for the students to access, proper maintenance, development and updation of these facilities is required.

As most of the professors are from the resident state, they tend to prefer Kannada as their preferred language for communication and also have a Kannada accent while speaking in English. This can prove to be difficult for students from outside Kannada who find difficulties in accommodating themselves,

Yay or Nay