Darj Hill University begins official work

MOHAN PRASAD< SNS, MUNGPO,16 NOVEMBER 21 : The Darjeeling Hill University (DHU) finally began official work in Mungpo in Darjeeling today. Vice-Chancellor of North Bengal University (NBU) Dr Subires Bhattacharya, who has been given additional charge as the first Vice-Chancellor of the DHU, visited Mungpo today and announced the official start of operations of the university.

The VC held a meeting on the premises of the ITI Mungpo, where the university began work, while it was attended by former BoA Chairman of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Anit Thapa and GTA officials.

"We will begin the online admission process from tomorrow for the Darjeeling Hill University with six different subjects," Dr Bhattacharya said. According to the first university in Darjeeling Hills will impart education in Nepali, English, History, Geography. Mathematics and Mass Communications.

Officials said that classes for the first six months will be conducted through the online mode with expert teachers of the NBU.

"At the same time, within that six months, various processes for recruitment and arrangement of new teachers and other employees in this university would be started and completed," Dr Bhattacharya said.

The building of the ITI has been used here for the university for a temporary period, until the construction of the proper university building at Jogighat nearby is completed, it is learnt.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters, vice-chairman of the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority and former Darjeeling MLA Amar Singh Rai said the demand for a separate university in the Hills had been long pending.

"I had raised the issue in the Assembly when I was the MLA of Darjeeling Accordingly, later in 2018, the chief minister announced the formation of the university and laid the foundation stone of a university building at Jogighat," Mr Rai said, expressing happiness at today's development.

According to the former GTA BoA Chairman, Anit Thapa, today's development was a matter of pride and happiness for the people of the hills. "Various other problems and issues of Darjeeling Hills will be resolved by making better relations with the state government in the days to come," he said.

Notably, during her recent visit to Kurseong, and following a request made by Mr Rai, CM Mamata Banerjee had instructed the authorities concerned to begin operations for the DHU immediately.

Also today, Dr Bhattacharya, Anit Thapa and other officials also visited the proposed and under-construction university building and took stock of the situation there.