Mangaluru: The maiden foundation day celebrations of the University College at Hampankatta on Tuesday set the tone to plan the 150th anniversary celebration of the reputed institution scheduled in 2018.

Chikkaballapur MP M Veerappa Moily, also an alumnus of the college, suggested the university authorities to give a new look to Ravindra Kala Bhavan (the good old auditorium, built in commemoration of the visit of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore). He suggested that the authorities take up the proposed restoration work at an estimated cost of Rs 1.83 crore and dedicate the same for the forthcoming 150th year of the college. In addition to this, the university should explore the possibilities of digitising the existing library and also chalking out permanent plans in commemoration of the same event, he said.

Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University Prof K Byrappa said that it has been decided to set up a dedicated committee for the 150th year celebrations, along with a supervisory board of 10 to 12 eminent personalities, including M Veerappa Moily, writer D K Chowta and other alumni of repute.

Prof Byrappa continued that it will be a year-long celebration with a festive atmosphere, where, apart from cultural activities, deliberations and talks will be organised by inviting scholars from in and outside the state and also abroad.

Photo gallery
“The college authorities should bring out a memorabilia of photographs of the college, either in original form or photocopy, that can be sold to the people. Overall, the event should be a vision document for the future, for the 175th year celebrations of the institution,” added the vice chancellor.

Prof Byrappa who reacted positively towards Moily’s demand for digital library, said that an experienced librarian will be deployed in addition to the existing personnel. The work on restoring Ravindra Kalabhavan will be launched on Vijayadashami day (October 11), under heritage grants sanctioned by University Grants Commission (UGC), said Prof Byrappa.

Potential of excellence
“The principal of the college also aims to develop it as one among the top five institutes in the country and a proposal for considering the same for college with potential for excellence has been placed before the  UGC,” said the vice chancellor.

Prof Byrappa, who vouched to make efforts to retain the National Accreditation and Assessment Committee (NAAC) ‘A’ grade for the college, said, the committee is expected to visit the institution between October 13 and 15.

Regular celebration
Earlier, College Principal M A Udaykumar said, “Henceforth, the Foundation Day will be celebrated on a regular basis on September 20, the actual date of inception of the institution, which started as a school in the year 1868 and later graduated into government college.”