Kolhan University Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at Glimpse

Founded in 2009, Kolhan University is a public university located in Chaibasa, Jharkhand. The institute is accredited as a 'Grade B' university by the NAAC and has 20 Constituent Colleges and 34 Affiliated Colleges under it. Kolhan University offers 26 Postgraduate and 22 PhD programmes in various disciplines, including Social Science, Science, Humanities, and Commerce. Admission to the university is done strictly based on merit and in compliance with the reservation laws outlined by the Government of Jharkhand. The university is not highly ranked but offers a well-designed course structure, strong faculty support, and scholarship opportunities on the basis of eligibility. The campus placement records are average with students landing jobs with an an entry-level salary of INR 2.5 LPA. This implies that not many recruiters or companies visit the university campus offering lucrative placements and salary packages. The reason for this could be the institute's low rankings, which need to be improved. However, the college serves as a prime educational institute of Jharkhand especially for girls from the rural areas and adjacent districts. 

Kolhan University NIRF Ranking

Kolhan University hasn't received any NIRF ranking so far despite submitting itself for the same. However, it received recognition under the 'Best Universities EduRank 2023' for the following - 

• Ranked 9 out of 20 in Jharkhand

• Ranked 607 of 876 in India

• Ranked 4,038 of 5,830 in Asia

• Ranked 10,085 of 14,131 in the world

Our Take

The reason why Kolhan University hasn't received any recognition from NIRF could be because it does not keep up with the NIRF ranking methodology, which considers a variety of factors, including research production, education quality, graduation outcome, campus amenities, diversity, median packages given during placements etc. Furthermore, Kolhan University does not provide data on acceptance rates. The reason for this could be the university is not taking the initiative or doing enough to increase the class size, which has led its acceptance rates to drop. Due to low acceptance rates and lack of nationwide recognition, the NIRF rankings may have been hampered. To make it to the top rank list, the university has to buckle up its placement record, course curriculum, and campus life to get a name and recognition from various publications.

Kolhan University Academia & Batch Size

Kolhan University has 20 Constituent Colleges and 34 Affiliated Colleges with over 8000 student strength. It follows the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) and Continuous Assessment Grading Pattern (CAGP) for undergraduate and postgraduate courses as per the information available on the university's official website. The Kolhan University academics as per the modern approach of CBCS give students the option to select courses from the pre-required courses, which include core/major, elective/minor elective, or skill-based courses. The choice of elective courses gives students the option to select their desired subjects as per their career plans. They have ample opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills with academic lessons, lectures, assignments and projects. 

As per the student reviews on Quora, getting admission into Kolhan University is not tough and students can easily gain admission to the courses offered. Students have also highlighted that maintaining attendance is not necessary at Kolhan University which is a blessing for students who want to do part-time jobs or enrol for extra courses along with a degree. The curriculum of the academic programs is designed by the several Departments of Kolhan University, taking into account the necessary inputs to enable employability, value-based learning, entrepreneurship, and skill development. 

Our Take

Overall, Kolhan University offers a positive environment where students can find motivation from their fellow students and teachers. The implementation of the CBCS system is an innovative step as it gives the students the liberty to choose from the course list according to their interests, aptitude, and learning needs, and allows them to make their own decisions. Thus, there is a noticeable shift in focus from teacher-centric to student-centric education. However, the university should focus on upgrading its academics and course structure by adding more specializations, conducting seminars, inviting guest lecturers, and organizing industry visits to make it more nourishing for students studying here.

As per the Hindustan Times report published in 2019, UGC asked Kolhan University to start a diploma course in environment. The fact the university is getting orders from the UGC board on starting courses indicates the college’s administration doesn't work actively in adding more courses and specialization on their own. The college administration should keep themselves up to date with what students are looking for these days to study and add those courses to their list. 

Kolhan University Infrastructure 

Kolhan University has decent infrastructure including basic classrooms, a library, halls, sports grounds, etc. 

• Classroom:Kolhan University has basic classrooms with chairs and benches. There are no smart classrooms. However, online classes are provided for a bunch of Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Vocational courses.

• Auditorium/ Seminar Halls/ Labs: The university features a civil engineering lab, electrical lab, electronics lab, mechanical lab, chemistry lab, computer lab,  physics lab, etc. For events and seminars, the university has an auditorium.
  

• Library: There is a library available to all students at the university. There are 7145 books available at the library. Electronic journals are also offered, along with access to the Internet and reading rooms.

• Internet: The college claims to offer wifi services but as per students' reviews on Quora the wifi doesn't work always except for the computer lab. 

• Hostel: The university offers separate hostel facilities for male and female students. Kolhan University also has a guest house/waiting room for family members visiting the students and faculty. 

• Activities:According to the students, campus life isn't very vibrant. Students do, however, take part in a range of extracurricular activities, including sports and cultural events. Yoga classes for students and staff members are conducted. 

• Cafe/ Hang-out Places: The University has a canteen and a shop. Since the college is remotely located, there aren't many hangout places, cafes, or restaurants nearby. 

Our Take 

While researching Kolhan University's infrastructure, we found mixed responses from its students and alumni. Most of the reviews were negative. Kolhan University administration should inspect the college campus and take necessary steps to improve the infrastructure and the overall standard of education here. With the advent of modern technology, the university should switch from traditional to smart classrooms that will not only enhance the standard of teaching but also one's learning experience. It will help the teachers to engage the students with media and explain the concepts better. However, online classes somewhat ease the learning process as many students can join the classes if they are unable to attend classroom lectures. The authorities should fulfil their commitment to providing the students with good internet connectivity. It will allow them to stay updated on the latest news and events, access online study materials, and stay connected with peers. The university library does not have adequate books, journals and publications, which is a shame. The collection of books in the library should be adequate, comprehensive and current. It should include all prescribed textbooks, magazines and journals to meet the educational needs of students and faculty. One major drawback is the poor transportation options provided by the college. For hostel residents, the college offers a bus service only on Sundays, and on rest days they are on their own if they need to travel outside the college. The administration should start more frequent bus services to ease the commute. 

One positive side is the availability of separate hostel accommodations for both girls and boys. This is a relief for students coming from adjacent districts or other states as they need not look for rented places or PGs around. The hostel fees are also quite affordable, which is a plus point for the students with poor financial backup. When it comes to food and lodging, the university canteen does a good job of providing the students with home-cooked, decent food. Since there are not many eateries around, students have to rely on the canteen and the local shop within the premises. However, there is room for upgrading hygiene and food quality to provide students with the best service. 

Kolhan University Internships and Placements

Kolhan University Internship

At Kolhan University, internship opportunities are offered to students but they are limited after the completion of the course. However, the institute arranges Summer Internships with some leading companies, like JUSCO and others. It also occasionally holds talent search events to recognize emerging potential.

Kolhan University Placement

As per students, the average Kolhan University placement rates in 2023 were 70 to 80% with IBM, Infosys, HDFC and Wipro being some of the top recruiters. The highest salary package offered is INR 14 LPA and the average salary package is INR 3-7 LPA. However, students have claimed that most of the students get a basic salary of INR 1 LPA to INR 3 LPA. Some students have also reported that they were not satisfied with the salary package. 

Our Take

Kolhan University's placements percentage is good but its salary packages are average. This could be due to the university's lack of global recognition or low rankings. When companies hire, they take into account the university/institute brand name from where you achieve a degree. Having said that, it is important to remember that a low salary package does not necessarily mean that the company is not good to work with. It could be that the company is just not able to offer as high of a salary as others. Nevertheless, the university must work to uplift its rankings and placement to attract more top recruiters to the campus. It should also offer proper placement training, and interview training to the students before the beginning of the placement process. Another way to attract recruiters is by analyzing which academic programmes or degrees are roping in the maximum job offers and particularly reaching out to those industries. The university's placement cell should connect with the new and existing recruiters, and invite companies to attend academic events on campus, such as career fairs, where they can meet and interview students for job openings.

Kolhan University Diversity & Representation

The male-to-female ratio at Kolhan University is 31: 69, indicating that more female students apply for admission to university than male students. There is a sizeable proportion of students from underprivileged groups which signifies the university has a place for students from all backgrounds and promotes cultural diversity. 

Our Take

The high percentage of female students applying for admission at Kolhan University suggests more girls applying for higher education, which is great. We believe one of the reasons why the number of female students outnumbers the male students is that the majority of the courses offered here are under the Humanities and Social Science departments (MA in English/ Hindi/ Sanskrit/ Sociology/ Anthropology/ History/ Geography/ Home Science), which are generally opted by girls. Male students are more interested in Science and Commerce programmes, such as MSc. in Physics/ Mathematics/ Commerce. Besides, in a state like Jharkhand, the majority of male students are more likely to pursue higher education outside of the state as compared to females, and hence, often apply to colleges in other states. This could be one of the reasons for the disparity in the male-female ratio. One encouraging point that needs to be highlighted is that the higher number of females enrolling in Kolhan University also implies that despite being located in a rural area, the university offers a safe environment where girls find it comfortable to study. Overall, the college represents a diverse culture of students from various backgrounds. The university has reservations for backward students offering fair opportunities for students from all walks of life.

Kolhan University Faculty/ College Administration & Management

Kolhan University has a group of highly skilled and supportive faculty with nearly all the members having a PhD degree. The teachers here hold a subject speciality and also help in research work. However, there is a shortfall of faculty since no active recruitments have been done in the recent past. The university has a Sexual Harassment Cell and an Anti-Raggin Cell to address any grievances and the administration takes an active part in organizing counselling sessions which is a commendable step. The examination system wing is currently fully automated. If we refer to the claims made by the university on its self-report, there are continuous examination reform initiatives conducted for a free, fair, and transparent evaluation procedure. This practice has also decreased the number of examination days and enabled the results to be declared more quickly. 

Our Take

Considering the student's and alumni reviews on Quora, the university has excellent teachers and staff members who are cooperative and are doing their best in teaching students. However, the lack of teachers is a problem and the university management should come up with a plan where retired teachers and NET-qualified students can also be appointed with the task of teaching. One good initiative of the Kolhan University management we would like to highlight is that they have initiated professional counselling under the purview of the Psychology Department. Professional counselling within the college premises is needed in the education system to focus on students' mental health and reduce the number of depression cases, suicide cases, and anxiety issues faced by students. The presence of Sexual Harassment and Anti-Ragging Cells indicates that the university administration takes the matter of offensive sexual advances and ragging/bullying seriously and takes severe action against it. However, we feel one aspect that the management should look into is the installation of CCTV cameras within the premises. Installing CCTVs with a centralized monitoring system from the main Kolhan University office in Chaibasa may ensure that regular classes are being conducted in the constituent and affiliated colleges. 

Kolhan University Location

Kolhan University is located in a rural area along NH 75 in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, India. The closest railway station, Chaibasa railway station, is located 5.1 kilometres away. Chaibasa Aerodrome in Jharkhand, located approximately 4.7 km from the institution, is the closest airport. The university claims to offer transportation facilities but as per students' reviews on Quora, it is not adequate. The university has its own canteen and shop for food and other basic daily necessities of students and also medical facilities. However, if students need anything from outside the campus it's difficult to find nearby stores. 

Our Take

As Kolhan University is not located in a prime location within the city and on the outskirts, the students are likely to face major problems commuting to and fro. The university administration should upgrade its transportation facilities. With the majority of the students of Kolhan University coming from rural areas, the university should make proper arrangements to offer proper van and bus services while keeping up with the security of the female students. The management should also allocate a budget to set up a medical facility/clinic, a stationery shop, and a small utility store within the campus so students need not run errands for basic needs. 

Expectation vs Reality CollegeDekho Verdict

After considering all the facts, data, and reviews we would like to stay at Kolhan University is just an average college. However, for people who live in Jharkhand or in nearby rural areas, it is a good university to take admission in. The university infrastructure is basic and offers classrooms, a library, labs, an auditorium, a canteen, etc. Kolhan University's campus life may not be captivating, but what sets it different is its committed faculty and management. They work relentlessly to improve education quality, placements, campus culture, and course frameworks, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education. It offers below-the-belt placements and limited internship opportunities but there are 80% chance you will get a place with entry level salary package of INR 3 LPA. Some of the plus points of the college are scholarship availability, easy admission process, reservation for backward students, and good faculty. 

While it does not hold a national title, Kolhan University serves as a light for students in Jharkhand, providing a viable educational institute inside their own state.

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