GetMyUni's Verdict on Bilaspur University

Parvathy Krishnakumar

"Although Bilaspur University is an economical option for students seeking affordable education, it's essential to carefully consider its limitations in terms of placement opportunities and infrastructure facilities before making a decision."

Also known as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur University is a recently established public state university in Chattisgarh. As it is a new university, several aspects require improvement, such as its infrastructure facilities and placement opportunities provided to its students. However, the high affordability of its courses makes it popular among students from different backgrounds.

The faculty members at the university are said to be knowledgeable and helpful and provide the necessary assistance to their students. Although the university offers a wide range of programs across various disciplines, it is not an ideal place for those who intend to pursue research as it does not have substantial research facilities compared to other universities in the country. 

Additionally, the university has limited international exposure, with few opportunities for students to study abroad or participate in international exchange programs. In any case, the university has a vibrant campus life with several student clubs and organisations to bring together students from different disciplines.

Table of Contents

• A Variety of Disciplines
• Good Quality Faculty Members
• Adequate Yet Poorly Maintained Facilities
• Lack of Housing Facilities
• Multiple Campus Activities
• Mediocre Placement Opportunities
• Overall Impression of Bilaspur University

A Variety of Disciplines

Even though it's a new university, it has managed to build a solid academic reputation and is known for its rigorous academic curriculum and experienced faculty. The university offers a diverse range of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in various disciplines, which include the following.

• Commerce & Financial Studies
• Hotel Management & Hospitality
• Food Processing & Technology
• Computer Science & Application
• Microbiology & Bio-Informatics
• Yoga.

Most students have mentioned that the university is better known for its undergraduate programs in Science and Arts, along with its postgraduate programs in Management. 

The admission process at the university is more straightforward compared to the other public universities. All the students have to do is fill out the application form, and the seats will be allotted based on the availability of each course. However, there is a minimum mark requirement to be eligible to apply for the courses.

As mentioned above, the undergraduate programs at the university are highly regarded as they provide a strong foundation in the essential topics for each subject. Besides, there are several specialisations offered for the students to choose from. Some of the top courses and fields provided by the university are as follows.

• Integrated Course in Computer Science & Applications
• Integrated Course in Food Processing & Technology
• Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM) & Applications
• M.Sc in Microbiology & Bio-informatics
• Integrated Course in Commerce & Financial Studies.

According to the students’ reviews, the courses offered by the university are challenging but rewarding. It also provides research opportunities in various fields, but the quality of resources and facilities varies from one department to another. Some students have mentioned that they are satisfied with the available resources, whereas some are disappointed with the lack of facilities.

Highly Affordable Education

A significant factor that attracts students to join the university is its reasonable and affordable course fees that make it accessible to students from all walks of life. The course fees, however, vary depending on the program and level of study. Also, the annual prices for postgraduate programs are slightly higher than that of the undergraduate programs.

The average annual fees for undergraduate programs are generally between the range of INR 6000 and INR 8000. It is higher for the Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM) program, which is INR 33,410, as it requires more facilities and practical learning compared to other courses.

Although the course fees for postgraduate programs are higher, they are still very affordable compared to other universities. The average annual prices for the top courses at the university, M.Sc and MBA programs, are INR 33,410 and INR 95,000, respectively.

Even though the fees are affordable, there have been protests raised by students regarding the Management forcing students to pay their tuition fees within a short time. Despite there being scholarships and other financial assistance provided by the university, sometimes students have to pay the fees from their own pockets due to the latency in receiving the scholarship funds. 

Besides the infrastructure is outdated, the university does not provide hostel facilities to its students, which makes it difficult for those who are from outside the state. 

Attendance Policy

Students are required to maintain a minimum attendance of 75% for each subject to be eligible to appear for the end-semester examinations. Students must have the minimum attendance percentage for both theoretical as well as practical classes. Those who fail to have the minimum attendance will be deemed absent from the subject and will not be allowed to appear for the exams.

If students are absent for more than 10% of classes in a subject without a valid reason, disciplinary actions will be taken against them, including suspension or expulsion.

Good Quality Faculty Members

According to the past and present students of the university, it generally has good-quality professors who are knowledgeable, experienced and passionate about their subjects. They are also committed to teaching and assisting students to succeed in their chosen fields. However, like in all universities, there are some variations in the quality of education, and some students have reported that certain professors are not as influential as others. 

The university has over 400 faculty members, and the majority hold PhDs from reputed universities. The professors are from various backgrounds, including India and other countries. They are committed to research and have published extensively in their fields. Additionally, the professors are actively involved in the university community and are always looking for ways to improve the student experience.

As per the reviews on online platforms, the professors are qualified and have adequate knowledge of their subjects, and they are approachable and easy to talk to. The professors are always willing to help students outside of class, except for a few. Some professors are not very effective communicators or accessible to students, and they are not very well organised.

Overall, the professors are the strength of the university. However, the students must carefully consider their own needs and connect with past graduates to understand the quality of the professors and their teaching in the preferred courses before they join the university.

Adequate Yet Poorly Maintained Facilities

A significant negative factor about the university is its infrastructure. Though it has a variety of facilities for effective teaching and learning experiences, they are poorly maintained and require upgradation. According to the reviews posted by students on online forums, the university needs to make improvements in its infrastructure and facilities.

The university has around 100 classrooms, which are spacious and well-equipped with modern facilities, such as projectors and other teaching aids. In addition to that, most of the classrooms are air-conditioned. The university also has well-equipped laboratories for all of its Science-related programs.

In spite of the laboratories being regularly updated with the latest technology and equipment, there are limited facilities for research students to conduct cutting-edge experiments and other practical works.

The university has a central library and several department-specific libraries, which have an extensive collection of books and other resources. The department-specific libraries also have a good supply of books and journals related to their respective subjects.

Although the students have access to various electronic resources, the central library needs to be enhanced to provide students with access to a broader range of resources, including electronic journals and databases.

The sports facilities at the university have various facilities for different sports, such as cricket, football, hockey and basketball, along with a swimming pool and gymnasium. These facilities serve the purpose yet are not maintained properly, which makes it challenging to utilise the facilities.

The university has a canteen that provides students with different food and beverage options for affordable prices. The overall cleanliness of the canteen is acceptable at best.

Despite the positive aspects of the university’s infrastructure, there are specific areas that need improvement. For instance, certain academic buildings are in dire need of repair and renovation. The university also needs more modern facilities, such as smart classrooms and digital libraries.

Lack of Housing Facilities

According to students’ reviews online, there are no hostel facilities on campus. However, there are several affordable PGs around the university with various facilities. The monthly costs of these PG facilities vary depending on the amenities and availabilities, and they range from INR 2000 to INR 4000.

Multiple Campus Activities

The university campus is home to various student organisations, clubs and activities, providing a vibrant and enriching campus experience. There is always something for the students to participate in, from sports and fitness activities to cultural and religious groups. The students at the university are known for being friendly and welcoming, which makes it easy for new students to feel a sense of belonging on campus.

The various student organisations and clubs available on campus give students the opportunity to not only pursue their interests but also meet new people, make new friends and learn new skills. In addition to that, the university campus is located in a beautiful setting, surrounded by trees and greenery, and there are several places for the students to relax and enjoy the outdoors with their friends.

The university has several cultural groups for dance, music, drama, etc. There are also cultural clubs for students from different regions of the country. Additionally, the university has various religious groups, which promote the learning of different cultures and spiritual practices, broadening the horizons. Interfaith groups are also present for students who wish to learn more about other religions.

For students interested in sports, there are various sports teams, including cricket, basketball, football and hockey. They can participate in the intramural sports leagues as well. 

In general, the university offers a wide variety of activities for every student. 

Diversity on Campus

The university has a diverse student population with students from different genders, ethnicities, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds. It also has a balanced gender ratio with an equal number of female and male students. The university has a significant number of students from minority groups. 

There is a diversity committee at the university responsible for overseeing the university’s diversity initiatives and developing strategies to promote diversity and inclusion. It hosts numerous cultural events throughout the year which celebrate the diversity of the student body. The university has several support groups for students from minority groups, such as women’s groups and LGBTQI+ groups. 

Despite its commitment to diversity, the university faces some challenges in creating a truly inclusive campus. Some students in the past have mentioned that they were isolated or excluded on campus, and there is still work to be done to address these disparities in achievement and graduation rates among students of different backgrounds.

Dress Code

The university has a defined uniform/formal dress code that must be followed by all students. The dress code requires boys to wear a white shirt, black pants, a blue blazer, a blue sweater, a steel grey tie and formal black shoes, and for girls, it is a white kurta, black salwar and steel grey dupatta. Students are also expected to be well-groomed and wear clean and pressed clothes.

Mediocre Placement Opportunities

As it is a relatively new university, the placement opportunities available to students are limited and are subject to change for each course. Based on the previous years’ records, 75% of eligible students were placed in jobs or internships. However, the university has a robust placement cell that works towards helping students prepare for the interviews and connect with potential recruiters. 

The placement rates are higher for computer science and management students, whereas they are lower for the other students who are from arts and commerce backgrounds. Although the rate has been increasing since its inception, there is still room for improvement in terms of providing successful placement opportunities.

According to the previous year’s placement records, the highest salary package offered to students was INR 12 LPA, and the average salary package was INR 5.5 LPA.

Overall Impression of Bilaspur University

In conclusion, Bilaspur University is a good choice for students who wish to pursue their education in specific fields, and the education provided by the university is highly affordable to students from all walks of life.

However, there are a few other options in the state and country that can be considered before finalising the admission process at this university. Although it has managed to build an excellent academic reputation in a few years, certain drawbacks require improvement. 

Among its various advantages are its experienced faculty, decent campus life, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. On the other hand, the university’s weaknesses, such as its need for infrastructural improvements and limited international exposure, play a significant role in hindering the personal and professional development of students.

The pros and cons of the university are listed below to better understand the university.

*Source: bilaspuruniversity.ac.in and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Vishwavidyalaya Facebook