The Save UVCE movement, led by AIDSO Bengaluru District Committee, has gained momentum as hundreds of students protested at Freedom Park on March 30. Their objective is to prevent the Karnataka government from gradually privatizing the government college in the guise of development and autonomy. The students are demanding that the government prioritize saving the prestigious and historic UVCE by providing adequate funds, paying salaries to lecturers, and taking measures for overall educational development.
The students’ concerns stem from the government’s recent announcement of developing UVCE on the lines of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) by allocating a budget of ₹40 crore per year. However, the students argue that this amount is meager compared to the annual budget of over ₹1,200 crore allocated to IIT in Mumbai. They fear that the government’s move to make UVCE autonomous will lead to privatization, which will ultimately affect the quality of education and make it inaccessible to underprivileged students.
It is noteworthy that UVCE, established in 1917, is one of the oldest engineering colleges in the country and has a rich legacy of producing outstanding engineers. The students believe that the government should acknowledge its responsibility and take measures to save the college’s heritage, rather than jeopardizing its future by implementing short-sighted policies.
The Save UVCE movement has received widespread support from various student organizations, faculty members, and alumni. The movement has gained momentum on social media platforms, with students using hashtags such as #SaveUVCE and #StandWithUVCE to voice their concerns. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the students’ demands and whether it will prioritize the college’s heritage and the aspirations of the next generation of students.
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