Mangaluru : The works on setting up Advanced Science Centre planned by Mangalore University at Belapu in neighbouring Udupi district is expected to be launched soon with the state government sanctioning Rs 50 crore for the purpose.

Chairing the Academic Council meeting here, vice-chancellor K Byrappa said that the finance department has received a letter in this regard. The centre, foundation for which was laid in 2015, is planned at an estimated cost of Rs 120 crore.

A first-of-its-kind facility, it will give thrust to research-related activities for research scholars for PhD, on the lines of Indian Institutes of Science (IISc) and Japanese institutes.

Speaking to media persons later, Prof Byrappa said the estimated project cost will be utilised in a period of three years. While the government has sanctioned Rs 50 crore, it has also asked the university to explore the possibilities of mobilising Rs 20 crore through internal resources taking the amount to Rs 70 crore in the first phase. Or else, in the second phase, both can share the project cost investing Rs 25 crore each towards the same, according to the proposal mooted by the government, he added.

Byrappa thanked eminent scientist Prof C N R Rao and scholar Govardhan Mehta who played a key role as panelists to set up the centre.

The university is also set to expand its base geographically, with the government allotting 35 acres of land in total at Belapu, the postgraduate centre.

Though the university had in its possession 20 acres of land earlier, the land remained to be transferred to it. Now, the government has given its consent for additional 15 acres of land taking the total extent of land holding to 35 acres along with right to tenancy certificate (RTC). While the main PG campus at Konaje will be getting additional 40 acres, followed by 26 acres at Nelyadi. Another PG centre at Chikka Aluvara at Kushalnagar in Kodagu district has been allotted additional 10 acres of lands, the VC told reporters.

Beginnining from the new academic year, Mangalore University will introduce three new courses.

VC K Byrappa said, “Two-year postgraduation course in medical physics will be started, followed by PG diploma in cyber security and PG diploma in finance and banking technology, with the duration of one year each.”

Five new departments including mass communication and journalism will be started at the PG centre in Chikka Aluvara in Kodagu district from this year, he added.