With an aim to train students and nurture expertise in Blockchain software systems, EMURGO, an official venture of the Cordano project, launched its academy in Bengaluru. They will soon be expanding to other cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune. KR Venugopal, Vice-Chancellor, Bangalore University who was present at the launch, said, "I am delighted with the launch of EMURGO Academy in Bengaluru. It will provide a platform to connect developers and organisations, enabling them to learn the technology and implement it in their own business verticals. This will definitely open up better and newer opportunities for job aspirants in this field."
Excerpts from the interview:
Do you think learning softwares like Blockchain is important for students?
It is important for the students to opt for different software courses along with their college syllabus. Just like Java, C++, Dotnet and Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain will be the next leading currency in the IT industry as it is all about the security systems. For instance, if two or more people in different parts of the globe are viewing the same data on their systems, then companies can use Blockchain as it helps them secure the information and also present the same information to all their office staff. Any software language will be initially based on a small algorithm. As the research and development progresses, it expands to become a subject and then probably a degree course. Hence, students should be one step ahead in gaining such important skills.
Have you included any of the software courses for students in Bangalore University?
We don't teach one particular software language to our students. All these come under the umbrella of a subject called Distributed Computer Network Systems which is taught to Science stream students.
Do you think that there is a gap between what is taught in college and what the industry requires?
Absolutely true! The progress and development in the industry is much faster than in the academic field. But with the introduction of deemed universities, private and autonomous colleges, this gap can be bridged as they bring changes in the syllabus very quickly. It is not the same with government institutions like ours. It takes a lot of time to change our syllabus and be on par with the industries.
Recently, Bangalore University and University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) signed an MoU to set up a Water Institute. How will this institute help the state in solving the water crisis?
Water Institute has already started working on the UVCE campus. As we all know, waster is an important resource for us and we really need to find a solution so that the next generations don't suffer from water shortage. Our students, government officials and the Indian Institute of Science have started working on research projects. We are taking a step forward by introducing technology to increase the efficiency of water beds in lakes and small tanks. There is already a technology to reuse waste water, but that has to be introduced across all the schools and colleges, especially in metro cities. This will help us deal with the water crisis. Based on the research done by our students, the government might form policies in terms of saving water and other aspects of the state.
A separate hostel has been built for female students from the North East in Bangalore University campus. Do you think this is going to create a wider gap between the locals and the students from the North East?
This hostel was built in association with the North Eastern Council to provide the students from the North East with a better place to stay and study. While we gave them the land, they funded this project. I don't think that it will create a wider gap between the locals and the students from the North Eastern states. They will be attending classes with students from other regions as well. Hence, they are already in our system and there is no question of a wider gap. Moreover, this university is meant for all girls studying in different colleges and not just our university.
Bangalore University has a shortage of faculty for over three years now. Have you approached the government to push them to recruit more teachers?
Yes! Not just once, I have written letters to the Chief Minister and the Education Department many times. Every year, they say that we will recruit permanent lecturers, but they don't. How will we educate or guide our students? We can employ guest lectures, but they leave the job when they get a better opportunity. There is no issue when it comes to completing the syllabus, but we will not be able to give good quality education to the students. At present, we have 300 vacancies out of a total of 600 posts.
