The story of Bijapur Lingayat Development Education Association (BLDEA) that established BLDE (Deemed to be University) is a century-old one. It all started with Dr P.G. Halakatti, known as the ‘Vachana Pitamaha’, a native of Dharwad and a visionary, who migrated to Bijapur – present Vijayapura in Karnataka. Dr P.G. Halakatti with other philanthropists of Bijapur founded a co-operative bank and BLDEA, with a primary objective of propagating education. Thus, the Bijapur Lingayat Development Education Association (BLDEA) came into existence on 23rd October 1910. The Association made a humble beginning by accepting to run a High School, handed over by a German missionary, returning to Germany because of World War-I. Thus, the journey of imparting education commenced.
The BLDEA is propagating education in Bijapur and Bagalkot districts, which are recognized as socially, economically and educationally backward areas by then British Government and by present UGC, State Government and Central Government. “Bijapur, the city of magnanimous history and historical monuments, has since long been a high seat of learning. If Salotagi a small hamlet of the district was the most renowned centre of knowledge a few centuries ago, the BLDE Association, founded in 1910 is the hope of the new generation of academic aspirants,” writes Dr M.B. Patil, Chancellor of BLDE (Deemed to be University), in his message. Over the years, BLDEA grew under the leadership of visionaries like Shri Shri Sanganabasaveshwar Maha Shivayogigalu of Banthanal and B.M. Patil.
A new era began in the 1990’s when the son of B.M. Patil, M. B. Patil, a young and dynamic leader, took over the reins of BLDEA. His primary objective was providing quality education with modern concepts of liberalization, globalization and tremendous expansion in various new courses. He conceived the need for establishing a University and strived to establish the BLDE (Deemed to be University), which came into existence on 29th February 2008. “The very fact that the Shri B.M. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Center, which is one of the very few institutions in India having a 1000 bed hospital, since its inception is just a little more than two decades old and has attained the status of deemed to be University, echoes the melodies of quality medical education it is providing,” shares Dr. M.B. Patil.
Today, the BLDEA sponsors and runs 68 Institutions in both rural and urban areas of Bijapur (now Vijayapura) and Bagalkot Districts. It includes Primary schools, High Schools, Pre-University Colleges, Degree colleges of Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Management, Education Science, Fine arts, Pharmacy, Nursing, Nursery, Sericulture, Engineering & Polytechnic, Medical Sciences with Postgraduate courses; and sponsors the BLDE (Deemed to be University) in detail. “The BLDE (Deemed to be University) has been established by the BLDE Association, a highly respectable charitable association of Karnataka. At BLDE (Deemed to be University) we are committed to providing quality medical education, keeping in view how challenging and the noble medical profession is,” states Dr M.S. Biradar, Vice-Chancellor, BLDE (Deemed to be University).
A Medical Institution Par Excellence
BLDE (Deemed to be University) was established as a deemed university under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. The Shri B. M. Patil Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Bijapur, a single constituent college of the University was established in 1986 by BLDE Association. It has a unitary campus of 45 acres with 24 departments and a teaching hospital with 1125 beds. Shri B. M. Patil Medical College has been offering UG Programme-MBBS (with an intake of 150 students), PG Programmes in 21 disciplines, PG Super Specialty Programme in Urology (M.Ch.), PhD Programme in 12 disciplines and Innovative courses like Fellowship, Diploma and Certificate Courses in Medical and Allied Sciences.
“At BLDE (Deemed to be University), we have developed the necessary infrastructure to impart medical education. We have all the major departments, a central library and residential quarters spread across a sprawling campus,” says Dr M.B. Patil. BLDE (Deemed to be University) has separate hostels for boys, girls, NRI students and PG students. The library has a wide collection of covering books, reference works, journal back volumes, etc., which are available for students and faculty for reference, along with a huge collection of e-books and e-journals. “The library provides document delivery service, book bank for students, open access to faculty and students, broadband internet, bibliography and reprographic facilities. Besides, the BLDE Association has spared no expense in building state-of-the-art laboratories for teaching and research facilities that are vital to the University,” pinpoints Dr M.S. Biradar.
Shri B. M. Patil Medical College’s research has received major thrust after being conferred with the Deemed to be University status. This has resulted in enhanced MoUs and Collaborations with reputed Universities and research institutes. Dr M.S. Biradar adds, “We endeavour to become a reputed Research University, where teaching is always at the cutting edge of research and scholarship. We have eminent teachers and researchers. Also, the administrators and staff are friendly and supportive.” A good number of research projects addressing social healthcare problems have been taken up by the institute and are yielding information that will directly benefit the people of the region. The University Journal with international academics on Editorial Board is being published by Wolters-Kluwer.
With the generous support from the sponsoring society, the University’s Shri B. M. Patil Medical College has expanded infrastructural facilities, adding to the existing hospital building, newer facilities created like Modular operation theatres, ICCU, CCU, NICU, DSA, and many more. Besides that, departmental buildings of Biochemistry, Anatomy and Microbiology have been expanded, and facilities upgraded. Dr Aravind V Patil, Principal, Shri B. M. Patil Medical College explains, “The university has been concentrating on enhancing ICT facilities, strengthening and upgrading training through Skills Lab, and research facilities with Central Research Lab, Vascular Lab and Genetics Lab.”
BLDE (Deemed to be University) has a deep concern for healthcare facilities provided to socially disadvantaged sections of the society both in rural and urban areas. It is worth mentioning that the University has established a very well-equipped Rural Health Centre in the nearby village, Ukkali. “We promise you that your experience at BLDE (Deemed to be University) will be rewarding. What you will experience is University’s emphasis on quality education, one of the best in the country, rigorous and demanding intellectual experience and development and advancement of mind. We believe in offering education with a human face,” concludes Dr M.S. Biradar. Undoubtedly, BLDE (Deemed to be University) is marching ahead to achieve excellence in all aspects.