UGC gives a green signal to Sonada College

Darjeeling: After 22 years of its foundation, Sonada Degree College has been recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). “With the UGC enlisting the institution, we will now be able to seek funds from the commission. This would help us develop the college in a bigger way,” said L.P. Gupta, the principal of the college, situated 30 km from here.

Set up in 1985, the institution was temporarily affiliated to North Bengal University (NBU) till 2005, after which it received an official recognition from the varsity. “Once we got the official affiliation from the university, we immediately applied for enlistment with the UGC,” said Gupta.

Being recognised by the UGC under its 1956 Act, the Sonada college will now receive funds for both upgrade of infrastructure and improvement of the faculty, depending on the accreditation status. The officials are positive that they will not have any problems in that field either. “Our results have improved a lot over the past two years, the pass percentage being 80 to 90. The state government has also sanctioned eight new teachers who, we hope, will join the college soon,” said Gupta.

T.K. Chatterjee, the registrar of the university, said the Sonada college can now receive funds around Rs 2 crore, depending on the accreditation over a Five Year Plan period.

The institution currently offers honours as well as general courses in English, Nepali, political science and history. “At present, we have 300 students and a six-member faculty,” the principal added.

Once the college got official affiliation from the varsity, the UGC did not waste much time in granting the recognition since most of its students come from tea gardens, like Ringtang, Cedar and Mundakothi, a source said. The UGC reportedly gives preference to colleges in tea garden areas.

Source: The Telegraph