Assam University's Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

Nestled in Barak Valley, Assam University started its academic journey in 1994. The 600-acre sprawling campus provides education to over 4811 students with the help of its 317 faculty members. Assam University also has a satellite campus of 90 acres in Diphu in the Karbi Anglong Hills District of Assam. Currently, there are 77 colleges affiliated to Assam University.

Accredited by NAAC with a B grade, the university has 16 School of Studies and a total of 43 postgraduate departments offering a total of 125 programmes in humanities, languages, environmental sciences, information sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, law, technology and management studies.

With a good performance quotient in terms of courses offered, research opportunities, qualified faculty and affordability, Assam University needs to focus on its industry exposure and placement opportunities according to the feedback received from the students. In terms of infrastructure, Assam University has provided all that is needed for a student’s holistic development.

Assam University Ranking

NIRF Ranking: From Good to Average!

Our Take:

Assam University has been a participating member in the NIRF Ranking since 2016. Looking at the ranking/rank band, the university has not been successful in maintaining its position since 2022. It signifies that the university needs to work more across all NIRF parameters to retain its earlier position.

Assam University Academia and Batch Size

Academic Composition

Assam University academia is a mix of classroom learning, assignments and assessments. Assam University offers a total of 125 programmes and in 49 such programmes Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)/Elective course system has been implemented. It allows students to select their course of choice.

Batch Size

As per NIRF Report 2023, of the sanctioned intake of 2146 students, 2,497 extra students were enrolled. Here is the programme-wise distribution of the same:

Fees

The fees charged against the Assam University courses offered are:

Our Take:

Assam University’s fees is reasonable according to the students. Regarding batch size, it is evident from the NIRF Report 2023,  that a considerably high percentage of students are provided admission above the approved intake. Its implication can be seen in the performance of the students. As per the Annual Report 2022, the average pass percentage of the students was recorded at 71.23%. Out of 1338 students who appeared in the final examination, only 953 of them qualified the exam. Admission over approved intake also increases the burden and leads to mismanagement. 

Assam University Infrastructure

Classrooms

Assam University has a total of 196 classrooms and seminar halls out of which 65 of them are equipped with ICT-enabled facilities. The university's students and faculty have access to 88 projectors and 37 smartboards.

Labs

Assam University laboratories are equipped with modern equipment. The university also has a computer centre with the latest software facility and wi-fi connectivity with full access to engineering and technology students.

Auditorium

As per the Self Study Report 2020, the university has an open-air auditorium called the ‘Netaji Mukta Mancha’ used for cultural activities. Along with it, there are two multipurpose auditoriums- the Bipin Paul Auditorium and the Upendra Nath Brahma Memorial Hall.

Sports

Assam University boasts about having the following sports facilities:

• A football cum cricket stadium with flood-lights and a spectator gallery 
• A multipurpose hall with two badminton courts, a table tennis board and indoor facilities like chess, carrom, etc.
• 2 volleyball courts and 9 basketball courts.

Library

According to the official website, the central library, known as the 'Rabindra Library,' utilizes the KOHA open-source Integrated Library Management System (ILMS). This software is coded in Pearl and operates on a LINUX platform.

Internet

Assam University in its Annual Report 2021-22 claims to provide internet connectivity through a lease line of 500 MBPS - 1 GBPS bandwidth.

Hostels

Assan University offers accommodation to its students with a total of 4 hostels designated for men and 5 for women, all of which share a common dining facility. The hostels have communal cooking facilities, and residents have the flexibility to choose between managing their own meal services or contracting an external catering provider. The cleanliness of these hostels is maintained by the housekeeping department under the supervision of the University's Estate Section. The hostel fees charged from students is around INR 25,000.

Commute

Assam University claims that a total of 26 buses are operational and are being used by 80% of students and staff from Silchar, Karimganj and Hailakandi areas. Pedestrian-friendly roads are constructed within the campus and the university encourages students to use bicycles.

Our Take: 

The university has excellent infrastructure and facilities. The commute options provided to the students are satisfactory. Students have commented that there are auto rickshaws available within the campus, which is a good initiative to help disabled students. However, there are some areas which need fixing. According to students' feedback, the hostel infrastructure is good but accessibility of water is a big challenge for students. Adding to it, despite having a dedicated housekeeping department, the hygiene and cleanliness of hostels are not adequate.

Assam University Internships and Placements

Internships

The Self Study Report 2020 of Assam University has released the following data on internships:

Our Take:

The above data on internships have shown that there is a lot of room for improvement in this area. Students have further added that the university should improve its industry-academic relation to bring in more opportunities for students.

Placements

The placement data as retrieved from NIRF Report 2023:

Our Take:

The percentage of Assam University placements along with the median salary received is quite satisfactory. However, students have voiced that many companies refrain from visiting the campus due to the campus location and the fact that the northeastern parts of India are still in a developing stage.

Assam University Diversity and Demographics

With a total of 4811 students, the male-to-female ratio at 5:5 (approx) as mentioned in the Annual Report 2022 is excellent. The university’s data representing student gender ratio and diversity as obtained from NIRF Report 2023 is as follows:

Assam University: Gender Ratio Index

Our Take:

With 32.3% females in UG 4-year, 58.8% in UG 5-year, 40% in PG-Integrated and an applaudable 60% female in PG 2-year, the gender diversification stands on an optimal level. 

Assam University: Diversity Representation

Our Take:

From the above data, it is evident that students from Assam are considerably more than those from outside Assam. The university’s location in a remote area and limited exposure are two significant factors that have contributed to such low numbers of students from outside Assam. The number of international students as mentioned in the NIRF Report 2023 is nil.

Assam University Faculty and Administration

With a total of 317 faculty members, the overall faculty-to-student ratio stands at 13:1. The following data on faculty strength was obtained from Assam University Annual Report 2021-22:

Our Take:

Even though the university maintained an adequate faculty-to-student ratio of 1:13, as many as 24 posts for full-time professors remain vacant. A large number of teaching faculty comprises assistant and associate professors which indicates that faculty keeps changing on a regular basis. The quality of teaching gets affected which the students have affirmed. They have further added that the exam papers are not evaluated properly. 

If news is to be believed, a HoD of the Agricultural Engineering Department was involved in a heinous transgression and no strict action was taken by the university. According to the news, the professor advanced inappropriate behaviour towards an MTech final-year student against which he was revoked from the post of HoD but was sent on leave. There were no other actions taken by the university against the professor’s misdeeds.

Source: NE Now News

Administration-wise, Assam University has released the following data in its Annual Report 2021-22:

Our Take:

Even though posts remain vacant, the number of academic staff is decent. However, students have also pointed out the rude behaviour of a few staff members.

Assam University Location

Assam University is in Cachar district, nestled approximately 23 km south of Silchar city at Dargakuna near Irongmara village. The other campus is located in Diphu.

Our Take:

For students who prefer urban landscapes, it can be a disadvantage as the university is in a remote location. Surrounded by hills, the environs in and out of the university are green and peaceful, perfect for those looking for a quiet place to study.

Assam University Expectation vs Reality-CollegeDekho Verdict

Assam University is the second central university in Assam after Tezpur University. Infrastructure-wise, the university has provided the students with smart classrooms, auditoriums, internet, hostels and sports facilities. However, students have raised concerns about hostel hygiene.

Assam University students are taught by qualified teachers but a considerable number of full-time professor posts are vacant. Considering the wide range of courses that the university offers and the huge student population, the university must appoint more professors. This will further ameliorate the pass percentage of students which is currently at 71.23% as per the Annual Report 2022.

In light of the feedback from students, Assam University should prioritize enhancing its students' job placement prospects by regularising the working of the placement cell as well as fostering partnerships with universities and industries both in India and across the globe.

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