Calcutta University Essay

It is a great pleasure for one who engages oneself in writing a preface of this nature relating to a noble cause – cause of spreading education in a region suffering from many shortcomings in the field of higher education. North Bengal as a region is full of rich social systems with diversified cultural heritage and only through proper educational facilities can these sociocultural diversities be made known to other parts of this country. With this definite purpose in view, our University started imparting higher education through the Distance Education mode – a mode hitherto unpractised and untested. As the seat for higher learning in this vast region, is well aware of its social commitment – commitment to reach every nook and corner with the lamp of education. We believe and it is admitted that Universities and other Educational Institution should play the role of a catalyst for social change which is again dependent on large scale participation of the young people in the policy formulation process, may be directly or indirectly. In fact, with this end in view, the University decided and decided rightly, to open the door of higher education to the lakhs of young but aspiring people in this region. It is really heartening to note that the response the University has received and is receiving is simply overwhelming. It shows that the decision of offering education through Distance Education mode is not only justified but also relevant. Distance Education programme which is being carried through the Directorate of Distance Education, University of North Bengal cannot be successful without the support and cooperation from all sections of the population. Such an enterprise by University runs on a reciprocal basis – a reciprocity which can build a solid foundation in this respect. The University should be considered as a rallying point around which all the education loving people of different cross section of the society should come closer. The enterprise is loaded with ambition – the idea of making a brighter tomorrow. What is needed is the application of collective wisdom and in this respect, our region does not, in any way, lag behind. Sincere effort and dedication will ultimately win. Prof. Pradip Kumar Sengupta Director 5 6 TH E C O LLEG E STU D Y C EN TR ES Balurghat College Distance Education Centre P. O. Balurghat, Dt. Dakshin Dinajpur, PIN – 733 101 Co-ordinator Shri Purushottam Haldar, Department Of Chemistry Phone – (03522) 255392 (O)/ 257521 (R) Jalpaiguri A. C. College Distance Education Centre P. O. & Dt. Jalpaiguri, PIN – 735 101 Co-ordinator Dr. Dhiraj Kumar Basak, Reader in Physics Phone – (03561) 255554 (O), 255861 (R) Kurseong College Distance Education Centre P. O. Kurseong, Dt. Darjeeling, PIN – 734 203 Co-ordinator Sri Rohit Sharma, Senior Lecturer in Commerce Phone – (0354)2344223(O), 2330196 (R). Malda College Distance Education Centre P.O. & Dt. Malda, PIN – 732 101 Co-ordinator Md. Jafrullah, Selection Grade Lecturer in Accountancy Phone – (03512) 220807 (O), 250175 (R) Raiganj College (University College) Distance Education Centre P. O. Raiganj, Dt. Uttar Dinajpur, PIN – 733 134 Co-ordinator Dr. Chinmoy Basu, Reader in Physics Phone – (03523) 252564 (O), 253733 (R) Siliguri College Distance Education Centre P. O. Siliguri, Dt. Darjeeling, PIN – 734 401 Co-ordinator Prof. Mrinal Kanti Ghosh, Reader in Physics Phone – (0353) 2436590 (O), 2512770 (R) University B. T. & Evening College Distance Education Centre P. O. & Dt. Cooch Behar, PIN – 736 101 Co-ordinator Sri Aniruddha Burmon, Lecturer in English Phone – (03582) 222714 (O), 226729 (R) Dambar Singh Degree College, Gangtok, Sikkim Sri Suresh Chettri, Lecturer in -charge Phone- (03592) 281743 7 1. THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH BENGAL : The University of North Bengal was established by an Act of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in November 1962 and affiliated to the University Grants Commission under section 2(f) & 12(B). It was assigned the mandate during the course of its establishment of providing teaching, training and research in various branches of advanced learning and promoting the dissemination of knowledge to fulfill growing socioeconomic and technical manpower needs in the six northern districts of West Bengal known as North Bengal and the neighbouring state of Sikkim. The campus occupies an area of about 330 acres, 9 km outside Siliguri Town, the gate way of North East India and Bagdogra Airport, the only Air Port in North Bengal in the Terai region of Darjeeling district. The University Act was revised under West Bengal Act of XXV of 1981 and it came into force with effect from September 16, 1981. The University has played a pioneering role since inception in spreading higher education and inculcating scientific attitudes within the predominantly rural areas that comprise its vast jurisdictional territory. Well over 36,000 undergraduate students and over 1500 postgraduate students and scholars now enroll at different courses under the formal system of the University during any given year. Besides the territory under its immediate jurisdiction, the University also gets students and scholars from adjoining areas in Bihar and the North Eastern states of the country, as also from SAARC countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Several pioneering contributions made by researchers at the university have contributed to wider understanding of the special problems that confront the Eastern Himalayan and sub-Himalayan region and have provided practical inputs for current developmental interventions in the region. The University offers courses in various disciplines under the faculties of Arts, Commerce & Law, Science and in Medicine through its 73 Under Graduate Colleges including Engineering, Pharmacy, Medicine, Dentistry, Management and 21 Post Graduate Departments and 12 Centres. A part from the traditional programmes, the University has played a pioneering role in launching various professional job-related courses to help students interested in acquiring special skills to enhance their learning and earning capabilities. Besides the University is also offering various courses under the Distance Education mode to cater to the needs of further education of thousands of deserving students, particularly in remote areas through its Directorate of Distance Education. 2. THE DIRECTORATE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION : The Directorate of Distance Education of the University of North Bengal was established in the year 2000 by a decision of the Executive Council of the University. It has introduced M. A. / M. Sc. / Bridge Courses in Bengali, 8 English, Nepali, History, Political Science, Philosophy and Mathematics under the Distance Education mode. It has also introduced B. A. (General) course at the Under Graduate level under the same mode. So far the Directorate has developed College Study Centres (see section 5 for details) in any one of which a candidate can pursue distance learning according to his/ her convenience. 3. OBJECTIVES OF THE DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES : The main objective of the Distance Education is to widen the base of higher education among students who do not get opportunities to avail such education in the formal sector through admission as regular students in a University. Distance Learning or teaching through Distance Education courses is now a popular mode. It is recognized as an effective method of instruction in all advanced countries of the world. In the fast developing socio-economic milieu of today, educational facilities need constant refurbishing and augmentation. It is now acknowledged by the academics of all shades that it is learning, which is important, and not the channel or the process through which one gets enrolled for education. The educational system in India has been transforming from time to time taking into consideration the socio- political needs and economic conditions of the society. Although the contribution to several of branches of learning by the conventional educational system cannot be underestimated, the fact remains that education through the formal mode is accessible only to a few. The distance or open educational system has become an alternative mode of imparting instruction and has been meeting the demand for education of millions of people at different levels. It is an effort not only to solve the problem of over crowding in our educational institutions but also to equip the community with tools and skills to gain professional competence. However, every system has its own limitations and similarly every branch of study can not be opened through its system. Realizing the importance of the system the University of North Bengal has opened up its gate to this system of study to selected branches of disciplines at the PostGraduate level only at the initial stage. Later on it has introduced the same at Under-Graduate level within the given constraints. It may be noted that the Government of West Bengal has issued Order/ Notifications to the effect that Degrees obtained through Distance Education/ Correspondence modes shall be treated on a par with those in the formal/regular modes. The University Grants Commission has also recognized this course on a par with regular courses. 4. ELIGIBILITY FOR ENROLMENT: B. A. (General) : Any person having passed Higher Secondary (10+2) or equivalent examination from any recognized Board/ Council of Higher Education are eligible for enrolment provided he/she has obtained qualifying marks in each of minimum five subjects. The enrolled students shall be eligible to appear at the Part I/ II examination in the year corresponding to the regular students. A candidate securing at least 30% marks at the B. A. Part -I examination in each subject and in the aggregate 9 shall be eligible to appear at the B. A. Part-ll examination. Elective subjects to be offered other than compulsory subjects at the B. A. (General) course are Bengali, English, Nepali, Political Science, History, Sociology, Education and Philosophy. Bridge Course: Any graduate in the B. A. / B. Sc. (pass) (10+2+2 Pattern) from any recognized University is eligible for enrolment to this course provided that anyone of the subjects mentioned below must have been studied in the graduation level as an elective subject. Subjects: Bengali, English, Nepali, Political Science, History, Philosophy & Mathematics. B. A. / B. Sc. (Honours) graduates (10+2+3 pattern/ equivalent) who have not studied any of those subjects as an elective subject in the third year but only in previous years are also eligible for enrolment. Duration of the course is one year. A candidate securing at least 34% marks shall be eligible for enrolment at the Post-Graduate Part – I on that subject under Distance Education mode. 5. ENROLMENT SCHEDULE : Candidates are required to submit the Application form for enrolment at the Directorate in the prescribed application form either in person or by post along with prescribed fee in cash in the University cash counter/ S. B. I. NBU Campus Branch counter or demand draft drawn in favour of the University of North Bengal on S. B. I, N. B. U. Campus Branch. Besides, candidates may also submit the Application form for enrolment along with prescribed fee through a crossed demand draft drawn in favour of the University of North Bengal payable at S. B. I, N. B. U. Campus Branch at N. B. U. Calcutta Camp Office, S-2/ 1, flat No. 1, Sector III, Block – FC, Shrabani Abashan, Salt Lake, Kolkata – 700 091 and the following colleges : Balurghat College, Malda College, Raiganj College (University College), Siliguri College, Kurseong College, Ananda Chandra College, Jalpaiguri a University B. T and Evening College, Coochbehar and Dambar Singh Degree College, Gangtok. Prescribed Application Form and Prospectus will also be available in these colleges and N. B. U. Calcutta Camp Office on payment of price of application Form and Prospectus through a crossed demand draft following the procedure mentioned earlier. 6. FEE STRUCTURE (IN RS. ) : Particulars B. A. Part -I 200 3,000 500 50 150 – 200 B. A. Part – II 200 2,000 500 – 150 150 – Bridge Course 200 2,500 500 50 150 – 200 Enro1rolment Fee Cost of Study Material Examination Fee Identity Card Centre Fee Diploma Fee Registration Fee* 10 Late Fee Other Fees Examination reappearance Fee Defaulters Fee for not completing students sheets (assignment) Response 100 100 100 500 500 500 500 500 500 *For students other than North Bengal University. All fees shall be payable in one installment at the time of enrolment. Additional fees (if applicable) are to be paid at the time of filling up of the examination forms. Note : In cases where application forms are downloaded from University’s Website, the candtdate have to deposit Rs. 200/- in cash or through Bank Draft as fee for application and prospectus. 7. MODE OF PAYMENT : All payments should be made through a crossed Demand Draft drawn in favour of the University of North Bengal payable at State Bank of India, N. B. U. Campus Branch. Payments may also be paid in cash in the Cash Counter of the University Finance Branch and State Bank of India, N. B.U. Campus Branch. 8. MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION : Study materials will be supplied to the students either in Bengali or English at their choice mentioned in the application form for enrolment but one can write both in Bengali, English or Nepali on his/her answer papers in the examinations and also on assignment sheets, subject to the condition that only one particular language shall be used during examination. 9. SYLLABUS : The syllabi to be followed in the B. A. (General) course under Distance Education mode shall be similar to the regular B. A. (General) courses in the subjects concerned. For Bridge courses, the syllabi will be supplied to the enrolled students. Qualifying marks for appearing/taking the B. A. (General) part II examination are similar to that of the regular students. A candidate is required to complete the course in maximum four academic years from the date of joining to this course. Those who will not be able to complete the course within four years shall have to re-register as fresh candidates. 11 10. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION : Study Material : Instruction/Course Materials for each paper will normally be available from the college Study Centres as per choice of the students. Enrolment cards of the students will be dispatched to the students by post. Those intending to collect enrolment cards in person may collect the same from the Directorate of Distance Education. Assignments: There shall be assignments for every paper both for Part – I & Part – II examinations carrying 15% marks. Candidates shall be required to complete the respective assignments and send it to the competent authority by post or in person within the stipulated time. There shall be two periodic assignments for each paper, the best of which in terms of marks shall be counted. The same is applicable for Bridge Course students. Personal Contact Programmes (PCP) : Personal Contact Programmes (PCP) to be organized in the colleges mentioned in item 5 or elsewhere within North Bengal will involve interaction with the teachers/counsellors. Duration of Personal Contact Programmes will normally be 8 – 10 days each for B. A. (General) Part – I, Part – II & Bridge Course. PCPs may be organized in College Study Centres other than that where a candidate has taken admission in cases whose subject wise clusters of Colleges have been made due to insuffiency of students in a subject at a College Study Centre. Personal Contact Programmes shall be compulsory for a candidate for appearance at a University examination. 11. EXAMINATIONS: Examination Forms for all the courses shall be sent to the concerned students with all relevant information well in advance from the Controller of Examinations. The students shall have to fill the Examination Form as per given instructions and send the same to the university along with the Demand Draft of all fees by Registered Post so as to reach the University before the specified date. Admit Cards shall be issued to the candidates along with the  programme schedule well in advance of commencement of the examinations. 12. SCHEME OF EXAMINATION: B. A. (General) Part –I and Part – II Examinations will be held at the end of second year and third year respectively. Examination for Bridge Courses in Bengali, Nepali, English, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Mathematics will be held at the end of the course (one-year). 12 13. AWARD OF CLASS/ DIVISION : Students will be awarded Class/ Division as per rules of the University applicable for the Regular Courses. 14. RULES FOR REGISTRATION/ MIGRATION CERTIFICATE : The candidates who have obtained their Graduate/ Post graduate Degrees of North Bengal University and have not migrated to any other University will be required to mention the Registration Number along with the session. Candidates who are from outside North Bengal University shall be required to submit Migration Certificate in Original at the time of enrolment. Otherwise the enrolment shall remain as provisional upto two months, after which the Directorate of Distance Education reserves the right to cancel the enrolment without any financial liability on its part. 15. ENROLMENT/ROLL NUMBER : Every candidate who is admitted to the Directorate shall be assigned an Enrolment/ Roll No. which shall be valid during the entire period of the course when he/ she continues to be a student of the Directorate of Distance Education. In all communications addressed to the Directorate, the student must mention his/ her Enrolment/ Roll No. in full. Correspondence without the Enrolment no. will entail delays and difficulties both to the Directorate and the students and at times the office may not be in position to respond. 16. IDENTITY CARD : The Directorate shall supply each candidate an Identity Card. The blank Identity Card sent with Prospectus containing the Application Form must be filled up properly. The particulars may be attested by a College/ University Teacher/ Officer. The Identity Card must be preserved till completion of the course. This Card must be produced whenever required by the authorities and at the time of Personal Contact Programme (PCP), University examination and other purposes. The candidate shall be responsible for the safe-keeping of the I. D.  card ,the loss of which must be reported to the local police station before a duplicate card will be issued. A mutilated card must be replaced by paying requisite fees. 17. DOCUMENTS TO BE ATTACHED WITH THE APPLICATION FORM FOR ADMISSION : The following documents must be attached with the Application Form and any lapse in this connection may result in the delay in finalization of the admission process: 13 a) Prescribed fees by Demand Draft in favour of North Bengal University payable at State Bank of India, North Bengal University Campus Branch. b) Original proof for date of Birth i. e. Admit Card/ Certificate (M. P. / H. S. or equivalent), Marksheets, University Registration Certificate, other testimonials (to be returned on the same date) and attested copies of them is to be submitted. Original documents will be returned by post after the admission to the students who apply by post. The same can also be collected in person. c) Migration Certificate in original from the University studied (if applicable). The Migration Certificate shall not be returned. d) Recent stamp size photographs of the candidates (not to be attested) are to be pasted on the application form and on the Identity Card. 18. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS : a) If a candidate desires to obtain Migration Certificate from the Directorate of Distance Education by discontinuation of study, all the prescribed fees including those for the Part – II course shall have to be paid. There shall not be any fee concession to any category of students. Fee once paid by the candidate will neither be refunded nor adjusted. b) Candidates are not eligible for concessional Bus Fare Bus). (University c) If any of the dates mentioned in the Notification/ Circular etc. happen to be a holiday/ bandh, the relevant documents shall be accepted on the next working day. d) At the backside of the Demand Draft all particulars of the candidate must be provided. 19. CONTACT ADDRESS : All correspondences should be addressed to – The Director Directorate of Distance Education University of North Bengal Raja Rammohunpur P. O. North Bengal University Dt. Darjeeling, PIN – 734 430 West Bengal, India Phone : (0353) 2582116/ 2582117/ 2582218 Fax : 0353 2581546 Visit us at http//dddnbu. tripod. com E-mail:dee_soumitra@yahoo. com 14 NBU Kolkata Camp Office: S-2/1, Sector 3, Block FC, Shrabani Abasan, Salt Lake, Kolkata-91. Ph. No. (033) 23371836. 15 16.