ICFAI to set up varsity in Assam
ROOPAK GOSWAMI
Guwahati, Nov. 11: Assam is reaping the benefits of wooing the private sector to invest in the state’s education sector.
After Don Bosco University, it is now the turn of Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI) to set up a university in the state. The Hyderabad-based institute has got the letter of intent, allowing it to set up a private university at Sonapur in Kamrup (metro) district.
“The Assam government had issued a letter of intent in July 2008 for establishment of the university with a validity of two years. On expiry of that period, a fresh letter of intent was issued in October 2010. We have acquired 53 acres of land near Tepesia stadium in Sonapur and construction work has already began,” J.J. Kawle Director, NorthEast university cell, ICFAI, told The Telegraph today.
Dispur had passed Assam Private University Bill, 2007, paving the way for establishment and incorporation of private universities in the state. This was done to provide the best education facilities here, as large number of students from Assam go outside the state to seek quality education.
Kawle said construction has started and should be completed within a year. He said in the first phase, about 1,26,000 square foot, comprising academic and administration facilities, would be constructed. “We expect to commence academic activity in Assam by 2012-13,” he added.
“On submission of the compliance of conditions of the letter of intent, the state government will take up the bill for notifying the university through an act,” he said.
The cost of setting up the campus in Assam is estimated to be Rs 30 to 40 crore.
At the start of the academic activity, the university will offer BTech, Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Bachelor’s in Computer Applications, Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management and BSc at the undergraduate level, and MBA and MCA at the post graduate level.
In Northeast, ICFAI has universities in Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland and Mizoram. Kawle said on November 12, the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a university campus would also be held in Tura, Meghalaya. Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma will lay the foundation stone.
“The university in Tripura is doing very well and already has 1,500 students,” he said.
Kawle said the idea behind the university is to create and disseminate knowledge and skills, in core and frontier areas, through innovative educational programmes, research, consultancy and publishing. It also aims to develop a new cadre of professionals, with high levels of competence and a deep sense of ethics and commitment to the code of professional conduct.
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