Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
The progress of a nation is determined by its human resource. West Bengal has always been known for a remarkable quality of higher education in the past. The State boasts of India’s first IIT, IIM and ISI. In last few decades, however, the story of Bengal’s higher education has not been that bright. Proper attention was not given towards the improvement of infrastructure. In the last few years, the West Bengal Government has taken several steps to revive the education sector in the State.
New universities in different districts
• The West Bengal Government has taken the decision to establish 8 new universities
• Academic session began in July 2013 at Panchanan Barma University (Coochbehar) & Kazi Nazrul Islam University (Asansol)
• A second campus of North Bengal University has been established at Jalpaiguri
• First academic session of the first Women’s University of Eastern Zone at Diamond Harbour will commence in July 2014
Several Other Universities in different parts of the states
First Private University of the State: The first private university has been set up under the aegis of the Techno India Group in Salt Lake, where the academic session has been in progress since July 2013. Proposals for setting up four other such private universities are under Government consideration. Among these, Adamas University Bill and Seacom Skills University Bill have already been passed in the Assembly.
Presidency University: The foundation stone of the second campus of Presidency University has been laid. The Government has granted ten acres of land an amount of rupees 10 crore for this purpose.
Establishing St. Xavier’s University: The foundation stone of the proposed St. Xavier’s University has been laid at Rajarhat, and the requisite land has been allotted by the Government.
Establishing the Regional Centre of Netaji Subhas Open University: Land has been allotted for setting up the regional centers of Netaji Subhas Open Universities at Jalpaiguri and Durgapur.
New Colleges
In the 66 years after independence, only 38 Government Colleges had been established in the State. In contrast, 31 new Government colleges and 14 new private colleges in 13 districts have been established in the last 34 months. During the current academic year (2013 – 2014) 9 new Government-aided colleges have been established.
The first Hindi Government College of the State: Banarhat (Jalpaiguri) will soon be home to the first Hindi Government College in the state of West Bengal. The academic session is scheduled to commence from July, 2014.
Community College Scheme (CCS): Employment-oriented training has been started in 6 colleges in the districts of West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Bardhaman, Jalpaiguri and Kolkata.
Online admission and counseling
The government has introduced the system of online admission to different technical courses. This will eventually increase the transparency in the system of admission.
Formation of Education Commission
The government has formed the Education Commission in order to provide a new direction in higher education. Primary education, school education, higher education, technical education, non conventional vocational education – will all be under the purview of this Commission. The report of the commission will be submitted by the end of this year.
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
The progress of a nation is determined by its human resource. West Bengal has always been known for a remarkable quality of higher education in the past. The State boasts of India’s first IIT, IIM and ISI. In last few decades, however, the story of Bengal’s higher education has not been that bright. Proper attention was not given towards the improvement of infrastructure. In the last few years, the West Bengal Government has taken several steps to revive the education sector in the State.
New universities in different districts
• The West Bengal Government has taken the decision to establish 8 new universities
• Academic session began in July 2013 at Panchanan Barma University (Coochbehar) & Kazi Nazrul Islam University (Asansol)
• A second campus of North Bengal University has been established at Jalpaiguri
• First academic session of the first Women’s University of Eastern Zone at Diamond Harbour will commence in July 2014
Several Other Universities in different parts of the states
First Private University of the State: The first private university has been set up under the aegis of the Techno India Group in Salt Lake, where the academic session has been in progress since July 2013. Proposals for setting up four other such private universities are under Government consideration. Among these, Adamas University Bill and Seacom Skills University Bill have already been passed in the Assembly.
Presidency University: The foundation stone of the second campus of Presidency University has been laid. The Government has granted ten acres of land an amount of rupees 10 crore for this purpose.
Establishing St. Xavier’s University: The foundation stone of the proposed St. Xavier’s University has been laid at Rajarhat, and the requisite land has been allotted by the Government.
Establishing the Regional Centre of Netaji Subhas Open University: Land has been allotted for setting up the regional centers of Netaji Subhas Open Universities at Jalpaiguri and Durgapur.
New Colleges
In the 66 years after independence, only 38 Government Colleges had been established in the State. In contrast, 31 new Government colleges and 14 new private colleges in 13 districts have been established in the last 34 months. During the current academic year (2013 – 2014) 9 new Government-aided colleges have been established.
The first Hindi Government College of the State: Banarhat (Jalpaiguri) will soon be home to the first Hindi Government College in the state of West Bengal. The academic session is scheduled to commence from July, 2014.
Community College Scheme (CCS): Employment-oriented training has been started in 6 colleges in the districts of West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Bardhaman, Jalpaiguri and Kolkata.
Online admission and counseling
The government has introduced the system of online admission to different technical courses. This will eventually increase the transparency in the system of admission.
Formation of Education Commission
The government has formed the Education Commission in order to provide a new direction in higher education. Primary education, school education, higher education, technical education, non conventional vocational education – will all be under the purview of this Commission. The report of the commission will be submitted by the end of this year.
