BANGALORE: While Bangalore University has hiked fees for its postgraduate courses from this academic year, those studying at the university's affiliated colleges will have to cough up much more for the same courses. Course fees at the affiliated colleges have always been higher than that offered by the university. But now, after the revision, the difference has multiplied. For instance, fee for general merit students for MA (Kannada) was Rs 2,150 at Jnanabharathi whereas it was Rs 2,300 in an affiliated college. Now the revised fee at the university is Rs 6,650 whereas it has shot up to Rs 7,400 at the affiliated colleges. The ripple effect can be felt even in a conventional science subject like MSc Chemistry. Before the revision, affiliated colleges charged Rs 13,555 for the course but now fees have gone up to Rs 15,900, whereas at the university it is Rs 7,050. That means students studying in an affiliated college have to shell out more than double the amount than what their counterparts on the campus are paying.

A post-graduate degree in social work was offered at Rs 16,155 in affiliated colleges so far. After the revision in fee structure, it has hit Rs 19,400. Fees for apparel technology have gone up from Rs 23,000 to Rs 28,900 and for biotechnology from Rs 33,880 to Rs 39,900. A PG course in psychological counselling has shot up by around Rs 8,000 to reach Rs 39,900.

Experts defend hike

While students are feeling the heat of the overnight hike in fees, experts feel the upward revision is necessary for the university to cover its rising expenses. G Ramesh, associate professor, Center for Public Policy, Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore, who has done a study of university finances for the Karnataka Knowledge Commission, said: "Tuition fee collected by the university may cover only 20% of its total expenditure. This is ridiculously low and is true especially with older universities in the state."

Jnanabharathi closed today

Offices, university constituent colleges and post-graduate departments on Bangalore Univeristy's Jnanabharathi campus are closed on Wednesday because of the byelection to Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha seat.

University offices, PG departments and UVCE will function normally.

"The prices have to keep up with the cost. The university should increase it incrementally and not drastically. When the hike is drastic people protest. There should be some nominal increase every year. No costs remain the same. People should get used to paying fees. They should understand there is a price attached to it. But the fee should go to work that is directly beneficial to students. Universities can look at pooling of resources between department and institutions. The government can look at funding universities based on the number of students they cater to," he added.