UNIVERSITY OF NORTH BENGAL
The University of North Bengal was established in the year 1962. At that time, it was the only University which affiliated all the colleges in the northern districts of West Bengal, including Jalpaiguri Engineering College and North Bengal Medical College. The colleges of the state of Sikkim were also affiliated to the University of north Bengal.
Gradually the number of affiliated colleges were reduced by the establishment of Sikkim Central University, bringing of all B.Ed colleges under a separate University of West Bengal and the same was done for all the engineering colleges which were brought under West Bengal University of Technology. Subsequently other affiliating universities came up in other districts of north Bengal, such as Gaur Banga University, Coochbehar Panchnan Barma University and Raiganj University affiliating the colleges which were under the University of North Bengal. While the University thus lost its distinctiveness as the largest University in the northern region of West Bengal.
However, the University of North Bengal retained its distinctives in one area, i.e., accommodating the ethnocultural and geospatial uniqueness of the region. The University has the highest number of ST students in the region drawn both from the hills and the plains reflecting wide ethno-cultural diversity. This diversity is encouraged and nurtured through one of a kind Museum, the A.K.M.H. Museum which had a humble beginning in 1965, and can now legitimately take pride in its substantial collection of stone and metal images, terracotta works, coins, manuscripts etc. Major portion of such collections belong to the period between 8th Century and 12th Century through even older pieces are also in the possession of the Museum. The Museum at present has emerged as one of the favored destinations of scholars, researchers and students. Scholars from different parts of India and some even from China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan and other countries now visit the Museum.
The other initiative of the University was to set up CENTRE FOR STUDIES IN LOCAL LANGUAGES CULTURES which has done a significant service to the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage of the region. The geospatial uniqueness is captures though the Department of Tea Science offering MSc in Tea Science with collaboration of Tea Board of India. Darjeeling is famous for Tea and this Department is the only one in India that is relevant to this region. The location of this university is in a region which shares borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, and China is not distant. Keeping this geostrategic aspect in attention the Center for Himalayan Studies undertakes research in the eastern Himalayan region and offers programs in Strategic Studies.
The core values of University of North Bengal (NBU) permeate all that we do and say as an institution and we pledge ourselves to demonstrate them as we work with our learners, researchers & society. These core values define who WE ARE as NBU ensuring equity, access, transparency, non-discrimination in every field of higher education observing all democratic values.
Wisdom – Follow good judgment, clear understanding, and intellectual knowledge in order to achieve the best possible outcome in all situations.
Excellence – Commitment to the highest professional standards of quality, integrity, and performance in our programs, services, and operations. Encouraging and promoting excellence through innovation and creativity, rigour and pragmatism is our way to move forward.
Accountability – Accept responsibility for achievement of common goals and objectives of learners through data driven decision-making, assessment of performance, and evaluation of results in a quest for continuous improvement.
Respect – Acknowledge the value and dignity of each member of the university family and fulfil the special need of them by supporting and building capacity for excellence that
Efficiency - Demonstrate a passion and an excitement for work and believe to be efficient stewards of the resources entrusted to our care to ensure maximum benefit for the university community. We support efficient use of knowledge that is based on individual and collective intelligence, curiosity, ingenuity and creativity.
National Development - Contributing to national development has always been an implicit goal of the university by engaging the academic community on matters of national significance. The university believes in serving the cause of social integrity, gender equity, increasing access to higher education and cultivate an environment that seeks innovative solutions to challenges through exploration, analysis, and adaptation towards developing a culture of nation building.
Biodiversity – Take a lead in advancing solutions for a sustainable future and recognizing the close relationship between people and the Earth, acting in ways to live and work sustainably. We value our role in keeping the campus green and enhancing biodiversity in environmental management, creating new opportunities for wildlife in campus, wherever possible.
Use of Technology - Use emerging technologies that can be standardized and used to simplify the IT architecture and leverage resources to support & encourage most effective teaching-learning processes, to enhance communication ease, and to improve business performances, reduce costs, or prevent obsolescence.
Title of the practice: Agro-business Support
The context that required the initiation of the practice: The University, though not an agricultural university, was acutely aware of the fact that the main land use pattern of the surrounding region is agricultural. Moreover the cropping pattern is largely rice and tea plantation. There existed a large opportunity to grow fruits and flowers and augment earning of the agriculturists. The cultivators are unaware of facts and skillsets necessary for higher and diversified agricultural productivity. Moreover the cultivators need proper training and certification for developing agro based projects and access financial and other administrative support for entrepreneurship. Hence the University started the Centre for Floriculture and Agro-business Management (CFABM) and Department of tea Science.
Objectives of the practice:
The Practice: The Department of Tea Science started with collaboration of Tea industry and in course of time it started PG programme, MSc in Tea Science. It helps tea growers by offering services like soil testing and improved agro-practices. CFABM demonstrates to growers cultivation of new crops, organic agricultural practices through onsite training and on farm training.
Obstacles faced if any and strategies adopted to overcome them:CFABM was introduced in September, 2006. At the end of five years the project grant was no longer available but it was continued with some revolving funds. The University however decided to continue the project by merging it with the department of Biotechnology in 2013-14. The existence of CFABM thus saved it started functioning in a better way
Impact of the practice: The Tea entrepreneurs get the service of soil testing in increasing number and the Department of Tea Science gets revenue. The following figures show the success of the endeavour:
At present the practice of CFABM is successful in popularising cultivation of Strawberry and Dragon Fruit among Nepal, Bhutan and Assam, in addition to North Bengal. Every month 2-3 trials are organised on farm of the growers. CFABM is now going to declare two villages in GTA area as Organic villages. It also earns about Rs. 50,000 revenue per year.
Resources required: The Department of Tea Science requires more sophisticated t equipment and CFABM needs dedicated budgetary allocation for training programmes and support from PKVY, RKVY, DDUGRY etc
About the Institution:
Title of the practice: Institutional Felicitation of Retiring Employees
The context that required the initiation of the practice: The initial practice was one of extending farewell to retiring employees from respective departments and offices. This was neither regular nor did it cover all places of duty and residence that are associated with a given staff throughout his or her tenure. Moreover on retirement it was necessary to provide the financial receivables like P.F and gratuity which were often delayed. Hence it was felt that on the day of the retirement the HEI should provide all dues and in a manner which befits long service rendered to the institution and that can be arranged only centrally by the Administration.
The Practice: The practice was introduced in September, 2018. On a particular day the retiring employees are invited in the university’s Conference Hall through circular requesting everybody to assemble for a function wherein the concerned employees are offered flower, clothes, sweets, benefits of leave encashment and gratuity.
Obstacles faced if any and strategies adopted to overcome them:Initially only employees of concerned sections used to be present and attendance was not satisfactory. The highest level of Authority then briefed all employees about the uniqueness of this practice and as a result the participation from all sections were ensured.
Impact of the practice: So far 10 such events as described below have been organised.
Resources required: The University is planning for introduction of HRMS so that more effective organisation of this practice can be ensured.