Mangalore University plans to set up a centre of excellence for AI and machine learning

Mangaluru: Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof PL Dharma said that the university will set up a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with the funds from the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM USHA).

The government has sanctioned Rs 200 crore under PM USHA to promote infrastructure development and expansion, enhancement of research capacity, soft skills development, academic ecosystem and innovation, he told reporters in Mangaluru.

“The university has already prepared a detailed project report on the utilization of the funds, which are shared between the central government and the state governments in a 60:40 ratio. The state government has given instructions on the utilization of the funds for development works. The DPR prepared by the university has been approved by the university council,” he said.

In addition, the funds will also be used for renovation of university buildings, boys’ and girls’ hostels and hostels. The buildings are old and will be given a new coat of paint, he explained. Soft skills will also be imparted for capacity building, he added.

Financial crisis

Responding to a question about the university’s financial crisis, Prof. Dharma said, “After Covid, the university was no longer provided with development funds. Therefore, we had to make do with internal resources.”

Moreover, internal resources of the university were also affected as several colleges sought autonomous status. As a result, the university’s membership fees were reduced. The distance learning centre was also closed on the instructions of the state government.”

“We have not been able to even pay the pensions of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the university. We are hoping to get Rs 21-23 million from the government to pay the pensions of the retired staff of the university. 15 retired staff have already applied for pensions in the court,” he said.

To cut costs, the university has laid off 128 additional employees who were hired on contractual basis. Unnecessary expenditure has been reviewed to ensure that the university saves at least Rs 3.5 crore, he explained.

Development grant

Prof. Dharma said the state government has sanctioned a development grant of Rs 1 crore. The grant will be used for developing the sewerage system. The sewage treatment plant of the hostel is not yet ready and the funds will be used for its completion.

PG programs

The VC said that classes for the PG programmes for the academic year 2024-25 will begin on October 7. The university has decided to discontinue any PG programme for which there are less than 15 admissions.