The Central University of Karnataka (CUK), Gulbarga, has planned a centre for the study of mysticism and sufism to study the birth, evolution, and spread of the two denominations, and bring out publications on them.
The varsity thought of such a centre as the Hyderabad-Karnataka region has produced many mystic and Sufi figures. Few scholars of the region, however, have chosen to study and research the two denominations, according to S Chandrashekar, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the varsity.
“It’s mostly the Western scholars who have carried out research on these two religious denominations. There has been little work by the local people,” Chandrashekar told reporters after the first convocation of the university here on Saturday.
As part of the research, the centre will carry out extension work such as field visits to gather data that would be analysed and published later. Chandrashekar said that the varsity had already conducted a national seminar on the subject.
A M Pathan, Vice-Chancellor, CUK, said that the proposal for the centre had already been sent to the University Grants Commission (UGC). A response was expected by September-October, Chandrashekar said. The university also plans centres for the study of the lives of eminent personalities.
Kannada litterateur U R Ananthamurthy and Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Nandan Nilekani were conferred with honorary doctorates on the occasion.
The CUK would move to its new campus spread over 650 acres on Aland Road, 30 kilometres from Gulbarga, this August. At present, the varsity works out of a building rented by Gulbarga University. Three academic blocks are being built on the new campus. To begin with, the varsity would start courses in advanced science. Basic science courses would commence later, Prof Pathan said.
The Vice-Chancellor admitted that the university had not been successful in attracting the best of talent. For example, the university’s five-year integrated courses in arts and science have few takers. “It’s primarily the lack of awareness among the people. They still prefer the conventional degrees,” he explained.
The university has proposed several initiatives to attract students. For instance, the entire course and hostel facility are free for girls, irrespective of their caste or community. They just have to pay for food and other miscellaneous charges. Nearly 40 per cent of the posts of teachers (mainly mid- and high-level) in the university are vacant, Pathan said in response to a query.