Students push for campus venue for Haveri University convocation

Haveri: Haveri University planned to hold its first convocation at a private college in the city because it lacked the necessary infrastructure on its campus. However, student organisations insisted that the event should take place on the university premises, leading to confusion over the venue.The university, located at Keremattihalli, was earlier a postgraduate centre of Karnatak University, Dharwad. During the BJP govt's tenure, it was recognised as a university in 2022, and operations began in March 2023. The first convocation is scheduled for April 6, when degrees will be awarded to more than 1,000 students, including 300 postgraduates and 600 BEd students.The university officials said the institution faced a major funding shortfall. At the time of the university's establishment, there was a promise of an annual grant of Rs 2 crore, but the university currently lacks adequate funds. They also said the university did not have a well-equipped auditorium and classrooms, and it was not feasible to hold the convocation on the university premises, given the expected presence of the governor and other dignitaries.More than 2,000 people, including more than 1,000 students and their parents, are expected to attend. The university said it did not have an auditorium of that size and lacked a properly equipped stage for 32 dignitaries. It said holding the convocation in a tent on the university grounds would not be dignified, and argued that the convocation is being organised at a private college with all necessary facilities.Student organisations said holding the convocation on campus would draw attention to the lack of development and could help secure future funding. They also pointed to the absence of proper bus connectivity to Keremattihalli, where the university is located, and said a convocation on campus could lead to solutions to these issues.Meanwhile, preparations for the convocation are underway, with officials holding meetings and assigning responsibilities. The police department is preparing security arrangements, inspecting the intended venue and conducting related activities.Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot will preside over the convocation. Ashok B Hinchigeri, chairman of the Karnataka Law Commission, will deliver the convocation address. Higher education minister MC Sudhakar and vice-chancellor Prof Suresh Jangamashetti, among other dignitaries, will be present."There is a lack of basic infrastructure at the university. With more than 2,000 expected attendees, there is no auditorium of that size, and the stage is not well-equipped for the dignitaries, including the governor. For these reasons, the convocation is being held at a private college," clarified Suresh Jangamashetti, VC of Haveri University."To bring attention to the lack of development at Haveri University, the convocation should be held on campus. Otherwise, we will protest through measures like roadblocks and black cloth demonstrations," warned Basavaraj S, district president of SFI.