Bengaluru's LSE stuck in red tape

Bengaluru: It was seven years ago that the state first came up with the idea of establishing an International School of Economics on the lines of the London School of Economics (LSE) in the city.

But now that the LSE has come forward to help the Bangalore University set it up, the government seems in no hurry to take the proposal forward.    

Pending for long, the idea received a shot in the arm when the then higher education minister, T. B. Jayachandra met officials of the London School of Economics in February this year for help in setting it up. His efforts paid off when on March 1,  Mr Simon Flemington, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), London School of Economics, wrote to the state higher education department showing interest in joining hands with the Bangalore University  in setting up  an International School of Economics in the city.

But nearly seven months later, very little has been done to help the project take off. According to sources in Bangalore University  and the  higher education department, Mr Flemington had in his letter said the LSE found it an exciting proposal but being an institution of repute  would like to ensure that everything was carefully evaluated  and considered.

He sought information from the state government on the role of the new school, its practical and operational terms, its governance, objectives and so on.

Following the letter Bangalore University set up a five member expert committee to work on the standards, vision and values expected of the international school of economics.

Headed by former director of ISEC, RS Deshpande, the committee was given a framework of eight terms and conditions to work under. Although it has now forwarded its recommendations to the state government, nothing has come of them yet. The state has still not finalised the draft of the new school, according to sources.

“LSE is such a great institute and if the state government and BU are really interested in this project, they should act now. Why make the LSE wait for months together?” asked an officer.

• An International School of Economics on the lines of LSE was first proposed nearly seven years ago.
• The Jindal Foundation offered to invest Rs 200 crore in the school, but the proposal fell through owing to opposition from a few syndicate members.
• Two years ago, BU officials once again contacted the Jindal Foundation, which readily offered financial support for the school. But the project was again shot down by a few syndicate members.