Sister Nivedita University Bill passed

Welcoming the move to set up the university, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told the Assembly: "The proposal to set up the university has come at a time when 150th birth anniversary of Sister Nivedita is being celebrated and I feel that the decision to set up the Sister Nivedita Univeristy is a landmark decision."

She further said 22 universities including 10 private and 12 state-run ones have come up in the state in the past six years. Steps have been taken to set up the same in more districts as there was no university in East Midnapore and Jhargram that was once an education hub.

"The Green University will also come up in Hooghly and Biswa Bangla University will be set up in Bolpur." She has clarified that the decision to set up Biswa Bangla University is to give more opportunities to students of the area to undertake higher studies and not compete with other universities in the vicinity. The Chief Minister further stated that with setting up of the universities more students will get a scope to take up higher studies. While talking about the setting up of the university named after Sister Nivedita at New Town, Banerjee recollected the work that she had undertaken to ensure education for women. "It is a matter of pride that the Bill to set up the university has been tabled in the year when her 150th birth anniversary is being celebrated," she said urging all to pass the Bill unanimously. She also stated that measures have already been taken by the state government to ensure that the houses where she had stayed are maintained as heritage buildings.

Satyam Roychowdhury said the university will be developed by Techno International Group having 40 campuses comprising schools and colleges with over 1 lakh students. The campus in New Town is ready and classes will start from July 2018.

Roychowdhury, the Chancellor of Sister Nivedita University, has said that the process of collaboration with a few foreign universities has already begun which will include not only student exchange programmes, but also inviting faculties. He also said his responsibility for reaching out to the economically weaker sections of the students, especially girls who due to financial and other constraints are deprived of education. For that, special provisions will be made for scholarships for Kanyashree Scheme holders. Inclusion of social diversity amongst the students, faculty and staff will be prioritised.