Mysuru: Amidst growing concern regarding the future of lakhs of students studying in the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), following de-recognition of courses, the Special Board of Management (BoM), met here this morning and decided to upload the application online for 2018-19 on the University Grants Commission (UGC) website by this evening and file a Writ of Mandamus in Karnataka HC.

KSOU VC Prof. D. Shivalingaiah, Registrar K.G. Chandrashekar, Dean Prof. Mahadevi and two members including Puttanna said that all the details, certificates and documents pertaining to the re-recognition as demanded by the UGC will be uploaded.

Later, the VC, Registrar and other officials will take three sets of hard copies of the uploaded application to New Delhi to submit them to UGC.

The meeting also decided that based on the reaction of Higher Education Minister Basavaraja Rayaraddy yesterday that he would meet the Union HRD Minister shortly and if the recognition is not given, then they would approach the High Court.

The BoM Members said that a decision was taken to file a Writ of Mandamus following the Higher Education Minister’s direction.  A Writ of Mandamus is an order from a court to an inferior government official ordering the government official to properly fulfill their official duties or correct an abuse of discretion.

Music University VC reacts

Meanwhile, Karnataka State Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University Vice -Chancellor Prof. Sarvamangala Shankar, reacting to a news report in a section of the media that she was demanding KSOU building for her University, told Star of Mysore here this morning, “We have not asked for the buildings nor written to the Government about this. It is only a thinking on our part to approach the KSOU to utilise the facilities available till our own permanent building comes up.”

KSOU: CM to meet HRD Minister

Chief Minister Siddharamaiah has said that he had written to Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar regarding KSOU’s fate. Speaking to media after arriving at Mandakkali Airport here this morning to launch ‘Mane Manège Congress’ in Chamundeshwari Assembly segment, he said that he would take up KSOU issue with the Minister during his next visit to New Delhi.