Bengaluru: In a bid to remain competitive against the growing number of private universities, Bangalore University has implemented a new fee payment scheme that allows students to pay their tuition in two instalments. This is a significant move for the university, particularly for the Department of Computer Science and Applications, which has launched its Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) course this academic year.
Muralidhara B L, a senior professor in the department, highlighted the necessity of this initiative for public universities seeking to attract and retain students. “Looking at the number of private universities and the way they are attracting students, we had to do something to retain the students. We then decided to give them the instalment facility for fees,” he stated.
Positive Response to the New Scheme
The introduction of the instalment payment option has already yielded results. Following the announcement, 120 students enrolled in the BCA course, marking the first undergraduate programme introduced at the Jnana Bharati campus. The total fee for the BCA course is ₹76,000, with the university requiring an initial payment of ₹36,000, followed by the remainder due one month later.
While there was a considerable demand for the BCA course, some prospective students had reservations about committing to the university, primarily due to the fee structure and the competitive offers available at private institutions. Muralidhara explained that the department reassured students that the initial ₹36,000 payment would effectively return to them in the form of merit scholarships, which helped secure the admissions.
Calls for Government Intervention
As the university takes steps to improve its offerings, senior faculty members have called for government action to curb the proliferation of private universities. They argue that the state government should halt the establishment of new private university branches throughout the city to ensure the survival of public institutions.
“If the government really wants public universities to survive, then it should stop the mushrooming of private universities and also bring amendments to their respective acts to prevent them from opening additional units or campuses,” stated a senior professor at Bangalore University.
Extending the Initiative
Moreover, the faculty members believe that the installment payment scheme should be expanded to other departments within the university. By doing so, they argue, Bangalore University can attract a larger student base and improve overall enrolment figures.
In summary, Bangalore University’s decision to introduce a two-instalment fee payment option is a strategic move aimed at competing with private universities and enhancing student enrollment. As the institution adapts to the changing educational landscape, the implementation of this initiative reflects its commitment to providing accessible education while addressing the concerns of potential students.