GetMyUni's Verdict on BU Jhansi

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“BU Jhansi is known for its strong academic standing, lively campus environment, and cost-effective tuition. However, there is room for enhancement in its infrastructure, placement opportunities, and diversity.”

With more cons than pros, Bundelkhand University (BU) in Jhansi is one of the state's decent colleges that offers many courses in various fields. BU Jhansi is known for providing education at a relatively lower tuition cost when compared to other institutions, which makes it more accessible to many students. Over the years, students have expressed concerns about the academic quality at the university, citing issues related to the standard of the professors, lack of proper infrastructure and a well-curated curriculum.

Although the university offers a diverse range of programs across different areas, specific departments have more qualified professors than others, affecting the overall quality of education. While the academic standards are subpar, the university's limited extracurricular activities and facilities have deprived its students of a wholesome college experience.

Located in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, students can access historical and cultural experiences around the region. While offering unique experiences, the university's location may not be suitable for everyone, especially for those seeking a metropolitan environment and specific career opportunities. 

Table of Contents

• Huge Variety of Programs
• A Mixed Bag of Faculty Members
• Poorly Maintained Infrastructure
• Affordable Hostels
• Fairly Good Campus Life
• Disappointing Placement Scenario
• Overall Impression of BU Jhansi

Huge Variety of Programs

BU Jhansi offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs across multiple disciplines, providing options for students in different fields of study. The quality and popularity of these courses vary based on the departments and faculty members. Around 37 departments and institutes are under the university, through which 99 programs are offered at different levels. 

Among the myriad courses offered by the university, the popular programs are in the field of Engineering. Being a state university rather than a technical university, it lacks some essential components, including robust laboratory facilities, technological events, workshops, and a highly qualified faculty. Unlike private universities, Admission to Engineering programs is solely based on the state-level entrance exam.

Even though the courses' popularity has varied over time, specific departments have traditionally been more sought after than others. Some departments that are considered relatively popular at the university are as follows.

• Computer Science & Information Technology
• Business Administration
• Environmental Science
• Applied Microbiology
• Law
• Economics
• Social Work.

Similarly, the popular courses and specialisations at the university that have maintained a certain degree of quality over the years are as follows. 

• Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Computer Science & Engineering/Biotechnology Engineering/Mechanical Engineering/Biomedical Engineering/Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering.
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) (Hons) in Mathematics/Geology/Computer Science/Statistics/Agriculture.
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English/History/Economics/Political Science/Sociology.
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) (Hons)
• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) (Hons)
• Bachelor of Library and Information Science (B.Lib.I.Sc.)
• Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Library and Information Science (M.Lib.I.Sc.)
• Master of Arts (MA) in Home Science
• Master of Law (LLM).

Apart from the undergraduate and postgraduate programs, the university also offers PhD programs in various fields for those interested in research and academia.

A Mixed Bag of Faculty Members

The quality of professors at the university varies from department to department. While a few teachers are knowledgeable, helpful and supportive of the students, the others are lacklustre, unmotivated and unapproachable. The faculty members, like that for Engineering courses, are highly qualified, with most teachers having graduate degrees from reputed institutions, such as IITs. 

Some teachers are willing to help students outside the classroom and provide resources to enhance their learning. Yet, some professors are not always readily available and are difficult to approach as they are morose to the students. Even the highly educated professors tend to be bad teachers. 

For a few departments, like Pharmacy, more than half of the teachers are untrained, some of whom are alumni of the university. Some professors keep a grudge against the students if they cross the former in any way. This will be reflected in the marks for exams as well. 

Suppose the students do not expect their professors to help them gain knowledge, research or placements and only aim to obtain a degree certificate. In that case, they are recommended to pursue their education at the university. If not, students are advised to look for other universities where they can find better professors.

Poorly Maintained Infrastructure

Although the university has an extensive infrastructure with plenty of greenery and space on campus, the facilities require maintenance and renovation. The university provides Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the campus, which makes it easier for students to access online resources. But, the students have mentioned that the Wi-Fi connectivity at the university is not always reliable. 

Nonetheless, students have raised concerns about the poorly maintained classrooms and lack of instruments and other lab equipment. The university has adequate facilities to support the overall learning environment, but certain aspects of the infrastructure require improvement, which hinders the learning process.

The condition of the academic infrastructure, such as the classrooms and lecture halls, at the university is inconsistent across the campus, with notable issues regarding the seating arrangements, lighting and ventilation. Few classrooms are equipped with audio-visual systems to provide an interactive environment. 

The laboratory facilities are also varied for each department. The equipment in some labs requires upgradation, which does not provide a sound, practical learning environment.

The university has a central library comprising a range of books, journals and electronic resources that are valuable for students and researchers. However, there is room for expansion and updating to meet the evolving needs of the students. 

Nevertheless, the university has a decent sports infrastructure with recreational facilities like a cricket ground, basketball court, football field, tennis court and swimming pool. 

The canteens at the university offer affordable food options with varying quality and hygiene standards. Despite the availability of budget-friendly meals, the items' few possibilities and the crowded spaces during peak hours pose challenges. Students often prefer off-campus stalls to the canteens at the university.

Overall, the infrastructure at BU Jhanis is sufficient for the needs of the students. Yet, there are certain areas where the facilities require improvement, especially in the overall cleanliness of the campus. Students have also expressed concern regarding the safety and security on and around the campus.

Affordable Hostels

The hostels at the university are generally good, but there are some areas where the students have faced issues, like the unreliable water supply, overcrowding and overall maintenance. The university offers affordable hostel accommodation with low room rents. There are on-campus and off-campus hostel facilities, giving students choices based on their preferences. 

The hostels typically have basic amenities such as furnished rooms, common areas and mess facilities for dining. However, there have been complaints about the limited facilities such as Wi-Fi, laundry, etc. 

Although staying in hostels fosters a sense of community and provides opportunities to interact with fellow students and share experiences, overcrowding in some hostels leads to problems regarding congestion and lack of privacy and personal space.

The hostels are said to have strict rules and regulations which affect the freedom and comfort of the students. Safety and security at the university also add to the uncomfortable living, where there are cases regarding the missing belongings of students. Timely meals are served at the hostels, but the hygiene and general cleanliness at the dining areas concern the students.  

The hostel fees at BU Jhansi are affordable, with the annual fees at INR 30,000. In addition to the hostel fees, students must pay a security deposit of INR 10,000 at registration, which will be refunded when they leave the hostel.

Fairly Good Campus Life

Alongside academic life, students can participate in extracurricular activities, like sports, music, arts, etc. The university organises cultural events, fests and other programs where students can pursue their interests and showcase their talents. However, the university does not have any activities on campus related to technical events, which makes the students' overall experience, especially in Engineering courses, less satisfying.

It is easy for students to build friendships as the student body at the university is large and versatile. Students often engage in social activities, clubs and organisations that enhance their university social life. The sports facilities at the university provide the students with the option to practice sports and stay healthy throughout their campus life. The vast infrastructure of the university is known for its hangout spots, where students can spend time with their friends in groups. 

In short, the university has a lively campus life with various extracurricular activities and events. Students can join clubs and societies to pursue their interests and hobbies and participate in inter-colllege competitions that help overall development.

Diversity on Campus

The university has a good gender balance, with almost 55% female and 45% male students. Several students from different parts of the country are part of the university, contributing to regional diversity. The university offers diversity and inclusion training to faculty and staff, which helps them understand and appreciate diversity and treat all students equally. Due to the affordability of course fees, students from different socioeconomic backgrounds are also part of the university.

Dress Code

Although there is no uniform for the students, the university has a strict dress code that all students must follow. The students are expected to wear neat, clean and modest clothes for the classes and academic events. Students are allowed to wear casual clothes but must not wear shorts, skirts, dresses, ripped jeans or other clothing restricted on campus.

Disappointing Placement Scenario

According to the placement records of the university, only up to 70% of students receive offers through the placement drives held at the university. Though the placement scenario is generally acceptable, there is room for improvement.

The university has a good reputation with employers; many students are placed in good companies. The placement cell at the university is inactive and is not helpful when it comes to inviting reputed companies for the drives or preparing the students for the placement interviews.

The placement rate for certain branches, such as Computer Science and Engineering and Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, is higher than for the other departments. Based on the previous year’s record, the average salary for students placed after graduation from the university is around INR 4.5 LPA.

Overall Impression of BU Jhansi

It can be concluded that BU Jhansi is an average university that offers a reasonably good education. Students are advised to check the courses they intend to take admission for, research thoroughly by contacting the university alumni, and ensure the course curriculum is suitable for their career growth. If the students have better options, they should choose the other institutions over the university. Many areas require immediate attention and improvement, which may not cater to the needs of the students. 

The university is ideal for students planning to pursue higher education or obtain a job in the government sector. They will have enough time to prepare for the competitive exams alongside the classes.

Following are the pros and cons of being a student at BU Jhansi.

*Source: Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Facebook