University of North Bengal comes up with courses to cater needs of job market

Darjeeling: In order to make it easier for students to get jobs easily, the University of North Bengal is all set to introduce new courses from the current academic session. Along with this, the university has approached the State Government to sanction a post placement officer.

"We are introducing courses, which are in great demand in the job market. There is 100 percent placement guarantee for a student pursuing these courses," said Dr Subires Bhattacharyya, Vice-Chancellor, University of North Bengal.

The university will start M. Pharm and Master degree course in food processing from this academic year. For the

M. Pharm course, the Pharmacy Council of India has already given the necessary go ahead. This year, 18 seats have been allotted for the M. Pharm course. "This course is not taught in North Bengal. We have many pharmaceutical companies in Sikkim. They usually approach our university in search of M. Pharm students. Till now we have been sending students from the Chemistry department. However, with the M. Pharm course to commence in the university from this academic session, we will be able to meet up to their requirements," added the Vice-Chancellor.

Ten teachers have been recruited for this department. "The teachers are doctorates hence PhD courses will also be offered," said Dr Bhattacharyya.

Specialisation in Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics will be offered for the M Pharm course.

The V-C stated that the university will apply for B. Pharm course from next year. "There is no B Pharm course in North Bengal. It is in great demand. We will try to introduce this course from next year," said the V-C.

For the Masters Degree in Food Processing, 24 students will be allowed to pursue this course in the present academic session. Last year, the university had started an integrated course in Geology (5 year long course, including B Sc and M Sc.) "We are starting a similar integrated course in Anthropology from this academic year," said the V-C.

Two new buildings are coming up for science and humanities streams. "Both the buildings will be six-storied. Each floor in the science building is 15000 sq ft. The new disciplines will be housed in the science building," the V-C said.

To ensure that students get proper placement, the university has approached the state government to create a post of a full-fledged placement officer. "The placement officer will

liaison with different companies and help students get placement. Till a post is sanctioned we will tie up with some agency or individual on contractual basis," added Bhattacharyya.

The University of North Bengal in Siliguri was founded in 1962.