In a significant departure from traditional student outreach methods, Dr Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University (BCU) has initiated a direct dialogue with pre-university colleges. This pioneering effort aims to bridge the critical information gap for students transitioning from PU to undergraduate studies.
A Groundbreaking Bridge Between Educational Tiers
For the first time, the state-run university convened principals from over 800 pre-university colleges and 200 affiliated undergraduate colleges across Bengaluru North and Bengaluru South educational districts. The event created a dedicated platform for interaction, focusing on the academic opportunities available for students after their PU examinations.
"Our purpose was to bridge the gap between PU colleges and affiliated undergraduate colleges," explained Ramesh B, the Vice-Chancellor of BCU. He highlighted a common problem where most students remain unaware of the courses, infrastructure, and faculty strength in the university's affiliated colleges. To address this, BCU has recently introduced more than 80 innovative, job-oriented courses.
Countering Competition with Quality and Affordability
The initiative comes at a time when state public universities like BCU are facing stiff competition from private institutions in the city for student enrolment. BCU, which currently has around 1.3 lakh students, is positioning itself as a quality and affordable alternative.
"Instead of taking admissions in private universities, paying higher fees and ending up with bank loans, our colleges provide students quality education with innovative core courses," claimed Vice-Chancellor Ramesh B. The university's strategy involves reaching parents and students through the trusted channel of college principals, who assured that the provided information would be effectively passed on.
Addressing Admission Delays and Offering Incentives
During the interactions, PU principals pointed out a persistent issue: a lag in the admission process at state universities, which often begins months after PU results are announced. In response, university officials provided a crucial assurance for this year: admissions will commence in the same week as the PU results are declared.
As an added incentive, the university announced that a skill-oriented course will be offered to students who enrol before normal classes begin. This move is designed to encourage early decision-making and provide immediate value to new entrants.
"This was a one-of-a-kind programme," said Prasanna Kumar, president of the Bengaluru South district PU principals' association. He noted that students often have no clear direction after PU, with limited awareness of programmes beyond the conventional medicine and engineering streams. The event aimed to orient principals so they can, in turn, better advise parents and students about the diverse academic landscape.
This direct outreach marks a proactive shift for BCU, aiming to streamline the educational transition for thousands of students and strengthen its position in Bengaluru's competitive higher education sector.
