In what is great news for students who want to learn Yoga, Bangalore University (BU) has already earmarked 15 acres for an Inter-University Yoga Centre, the first of its kind, at their Jnanabharathi Campus under a project by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and University Grants Commission (UGC). The university syndicate has approved land for the project, only the state government’s approval is awaited. BU has already made yoga compulsory for all affiliated colleges.

While the UGC states that the Inter-University Centre for Yogic Sciences will strengthen the knowledge of yoga and yogic sciences and disseminate the benefits of yoga, Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor K R Venugopal sees the institute as part of the 50 acres on campus that focus on the holistic development of students. This, as the centre is located near the NSS Bhavan and the upcoming Buddha Kendra.

The Buddha Dhyana Kendra which will be set up on five acres of land will include the installation of a huge pyramid, where 3,000 people can meditate and a huge statue of Buddha will be installed. BU has also earmarked two acres for a Bengaluru-unit for the Council of Architecture (CoA), which is headquartered in New Delhi.

The CoA which is the apex body just like AICTE, but for Architecture, is investing Rs 40 crores in infrastructure on the two-acre land — which includes — national digital library, studio, auditorium. These facilities will be used by the department of Architecture of BU, which will help the department attain Centre of Excellence status, added Venugopal. As much as 50 acres of land is earmarked for aerospace and space technology institute, 50 acres for a medical and botanical garden.