Assam: Putting behind three-month-long agitation, Tezpur University rushes back to normalcy

Tezpur (Assam): A few banners with photographs of Vice-Chancellor Sambhu Nath Singh (now sent on leave) and slogans highlighting the alleged irregularities during his tenure still hangs inside the campus of Tezpur University, reminding visitors the unrest and agitation the central university situated here in the outskirts of North Assam's Tezpur town witnessed between September and December last year.

But with the Centre sending Singh on leave till completion of inquiry into the allegations, the 32-year-old university, an outcome of the historic Assam Agitation, now seeks to put its turbulent days behind and rush back to normal activities in order to restore its past glory.

Briefing about the steps being taken to restore faith of the students and staffs, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Amarendra Kumar Das on Wednesday said that they were gearing up to begin the new academic session from June, organise the stalled convocation, introduce new departments, improve placements, beside others.

"Our priority is to protect the interests of our students and accordingly steps are being taken to ensure transparency in whatever we do to achieve our goal. The academic atmosphere suffered a lot due to the unrest and agitation against the wrongs that were going on. Now that the central government has started inquiry into the allegations, our job is to make sure that students and the academic atmosphere don't suffer anymore," Das said. "We have kept our doors open to listen to any kind of grievances related to the activities of the university."

Following the agitation by students and teachers between September and December that disrupted the academic activities, Das, a professor of IIT Guwahati, was appointed as the Pro-Vice Chancellor in January. The Union Ministry of Education instituted an inquiry against Singh in January and he was sent on leave. The inquiry committee was asked to submit its report within three months. The report, however, has not yet been made public despite demands by the students.

The students staged protests, boycotted classes and even locked the campus demanding inquiry into the allegations of irregularity and mismanagement under Singh's tenure. The convocation of the university, which was scheduled in December, too had to be stalled.

Tezpur University is an outcome of the Assam Agitation or the anti-foreigners movement that had rocked Assam betwern 1979 and 1985.

Das on Wednesday further said the University was awaiting approval from the University Grants Commission to launch seven new departments—Economics, Psychology, Political Science, Geography, Performing Arts, and Vocational Studies & Skill Development—aimed at expanding its academic offerings and strengthening multidisciplinary education.

The varsity is also planning to set up two new campuses, one at Jamugurihat and another in Bodoland Territorial Region. It also plans to introduce a department of Bodo language. "A new incubation centre on food technology was recently started. We are also trying to improve the industry interface and attract placements. We have started courses on foreign languages in order to improve placements for arts graduates. We are also trying to focus more on research and development activities."