Chapter II THE UNIVERSITY

Establishment and Incorporation of the University.–

1. (1) There shall be established in the State of Karnataka the University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru, a non-affiliating university for the furtherance of the objects of the University set out in section 4. The objects of the University are such as to make it an Institution of State Eminence.
2. (2) The University shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal with powers, subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire and hold property, to contract, and to do such other things necessary for the purpose of this Act and shall, by the said name, sue and be sued.
3. (3) All suits and other legal proceedings instituted by or against the existing of the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru immediately before the commencement of this Act, shall be continued by or against the University, as the case may be. The pleadings for such suits and legal proceedings shall be signed and verified by the Registrar and all the processes in such suits and proceedings shall be issued to, and served on, the Registrar.
4. (4) The headquarters of the University shall be at Bengaluru.
5. (5) On and from the date of commencement of this Act,–
   • (i) any reference to the University
   • (UVCE) in any contract or other instrument in respect of properties of the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru shall be deemed as a reference to the University (UVCE);
     • (ii) all properties, movable and immovable, including the two campuses of the University situated at K.R. Circle, Dr. Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru-560001 and Jnana Bharathi Campus, Bangalore University, Bengaluru belonging to or has been earmarked to the existing University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru shall vest in the University (UVCE).
     • (iii) all rights, debts and other liabilities of the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru shall be transferred to, and be the rights and liabilities of the University (UVCE); and
     • (iv) all officers and employees employed in the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru immediately before the date of commencement of this Act shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, hold their office or service in the University with the same tenure at the same remuneration and upon the same terms and conditions and with the same rights and privileges as to pension, leave, gratuity, provident fund and other matters as they would have held had this Act not been enacted and shall continue to do so unless and until their employment is terminated or until such tenure, remuneration and the terms and conditions are duly altered by the Regulations, or be given an option to transfer their services and shall exercise such power and perform such duties as are conferred upon them by or under this Act;
6. (6) The establishment of the University shall be a non-profit making institution and the University shall not transfer directly or indirectly the whole or any part of the income or any movable or immovable property of the University to any person or to give any person any right to assume power directly or indirectly over the whole or any part of the income or any movable or immovable property of the University.

Objects of the University.- The objects of the University shall be to advance and disseminate learning, knowledge and conduct education and training (including tertiary and continuous education) in such branches of learning as it may deem fit, using all forms including face-to-face and online or digital format, at all levels (undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels), and to develop in the students and research scholars a sense of responsibility to serve the society at large in the field of higher education, to conduct research, including consultancy, and outreach activities. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the objects of the University shall include the following, namely:-

1. (i) To impart high quality education in all areas of engineering and technology, allied arts and sciences (physical, social and biological sciences), inter-disciplinary studies as well as emerging areas of core interest to the University as and when they evolve;
2. (ii) To carry out research, publications, consultancy and advisory activities to advance new knowledge and innovation and to provide global leadership in all areas of engineering and technology, allied arts and sciences (mathematical, biological, physical and social sciences), as well as emerging areas of core interest to the University as and when they evolve;
3. (iii) To attract best talent in terms of students and faculty, nationally and internationally;
4. (iv) To establish close linkages with industry;
5. (v) To develop collaborative programmes with industry and other educational institutions, nationally and internationally;
6. (vi) To emphasize on online or digital education;
7. (vii) To establish campuses and centres for engineering, science and technology and allied areas of studies;
8. (viii) To develop educational programmes and faculties that advance the cause of education, teaching and learning, across disciplines;
9. (ix) To devise newer forms of student, faculty, partner engagement, and explore newer areas of knowledge as and when necessary; and
10. (x) To support and develop programmes promoting social and gender equity.

Powers and Functions of the University.- Subject to the provisions of this Act, the University shall exercise the following powers and perform the following functions, namely:-

1. (i) To carry out the administration and management of the University;
2. (ii) To specify and conduct courses of study, training and research in such branches of engineering and technology, sciences and arts, as the University may think fit, including through distance learning and digital learning platforms, and for the advancement of learning and dissemination of knowledge in such branches;
3. (iii) To evolve innovative engineering, science and technology education pedagogy aligned to dynamic global practices;
4. (iv) To establish the criteria for admission of candidates for various courses of study in conformity with the laws in force;
5. (v) To conduct examinations and establish processes for evaluation and performance assessment through fair and transparent systems and other academic distinctions or titles;
6. (vi) To grant degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions and titles;
7. (vii) To institute and award fellowships, scholarships, prizes and medals, and to confer honorary degrees and other distinctions;
8. (viii) To lower the cost of education and to enhance the reach of the education by use of information and communication technology and other innovative methods;
9. (ix) To establish and maintain such infrastructure as may be necessary, such as halls, hostels etc;
10. (x) To determine, in consultation with the State Government, specify and receive payment of fees and other charges as the University may deem fit, from students and any other person, institution or body corporate for instruction and other services, including training, consultancy and advisory services, provided by the University;
11. (xi) To acquire, hold and deal with the property belonging to or vested in the University, with the approval of the Board, and in case of immovable property, under prior intimation to the State Government, for advancing the objects of the University subject to the condition that such property is not obtained wholly or partly from the State Government or the Central Government: Provided that, where the land for the University has been provided free of cost by the State Government, such land may be disposed of only with the prior approval of the State Government.
12. (xii) To supervise and control the residence and regulate the discipline of students of the University and to make arrangements for promoting their health, general welfare and cultural and corporate life;
13. (xiii) To institute academic, administrative, technical, ministerial and other posts and to make appointments thereto;
14. (xiv) To frame Ordinances, Statutes and Regulations and to alter, modify or rescind the same;
15. (xv) To receive grants, gifts, contributions or benefactions from the Governments and to raise and receive bequests, donations and transfers of movable or immovable properties from testators, donors or transferors, as the case may be, and to have custody of all such funds and to meet the expenses, including capital expenditure and expenses incurred in the exercise of its powers and discharge of its functions: Provided that, no bequest donation or transfer of any property shall be accepted by the University which in the opinion of the Board of Governors involves conditions or obligations opposed to the spirit and objects of this Act.
16. (xvi) To co-operate with educational or other institutions and industry in any part of the world having objects wholly or partly similar to those of the University by exchange of teachers and scholars and generally in such manner as may be conducive to their common objects;
17. (xvii) To borrow monies from banks and financial institutions; (xviii) To create partnership, affiliation and other classes of professional or honorary or technical membership or office as the University may consider necessary;
18. (xix) To appoint committees to carry out functions of the University; and
19. (xx) To do all such things, functions and activities as may be necessary, incidental or conducive to the attainment of all or any of the objects of the University.

University open to all classes of persons.-

1. (1) The University shall be open to all persons of either sex and of whatever race, creed, caste or class and it shall not be lawful for the University to impose on any person any test whatsoever of religious belief or profession in order to entitle him to be admitted thereto as a teacher or a student or to hold any office therein or to graduate thereat or to enjoy or exercise any privilege thereof.
2. (2) Seventy five per cent of the seats shall be filled through the Common Entrance Test conducted by the State Government and twenty five per cent of the seats shall be filled based on the Joint Entrance Examination conducted at the national level.
3. (3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), the University shall, in accordance with any special or general orders of the State Government, reserve seats for purpose of admission as students in the University for such classes of persons as set out in such special or general orders, including,-
   • (i) the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes;
   • (ii) other Backward Classes and other socially, educationally or economically backward classes;
   • (iii) nominees of the Central or State Government;
   • (iv) defence personnel and ex-servicemen and their children;
   • (v) physically handicapped as defined in the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and full Participation) Act, 1995 (Central Act No.1 of 1996);
   • (vi) women and transgender; and
   • (vii) Sports persons.
4. (4) The University may, subject to the orders of the State Government from time to time, grant exemption from payment of fees or boarding, lodging or any other charges or provide special scholarships to students belonging to classes listed in sub-section (3).

Teaching and Research in the University.-

1. (1) Subject to the control of the Academic Senate, all recognized teaching in connection with the university courses shall be conducted by the teachers of the University in accordance with the syllabus prescribed by Regulations and shall include lecturing, laboratory work and other teaching methodology.
2. (2) All such teaching shall be organized by such authorities as may be prescribed by the Ordinances and the Regulations.
3. (3) The programmes, courses and curricula shall be as may be prescribed by the Ordinances and the Regulations.