GetMyUni's Verdict on Islampur University

Parvathy Krishnakumar

"Situated in a backward region of Siliguri, Islampur College is a small institution with various limitations regarding its infrastructure and accessibility for placements. Nonetheless, its well-designed course curriculum and renowned faculty keep its reputation afloat."

Considered to be a decent option for aspirants who are looking for a nominal Arts, Science and Commerce institution, Islampur College has received mixed responses from its students through the years. Established in the early 1970s, this public college has been praised for its faculty members and well-designed course curricula. However, it falls behind compared to other colleges in terms of placement opportunities available to its students.

Although the college was established a couple decades ago, it has been stated that its infrastructure has undergone some significant changes to incorporate modern learning methods and ensure students have a more conducive learning environment aligned with the industry standards. Nevertheless, some students have mentioned on online forums that a few areas within the college campus require improvement.

Apart from the fact that the college has less prominent placement records, students appreciate its vibrant campus filled with various opportunities to nurture and develop different talents and skills, which contributes to holistic development. Students are offered a variety of opportunities to pursue their academic, career and personal goals.

Table of Contents

• Only Undergraduate Programs
• Educated & Humble Professors
• Poorly Maintained Infrastructure
• Limited Hostel Facilities
• Vibrant Campus Experience
• Insignificant Placements
• Overall Impression on Islampur College

Only Undergraduate Programs

One of the significant distinguishing factors about Islampur College is that it only offers programs in the Arts, Science and Commerce fields at the undergraduate level. Nevertheless, the college has several BA, B.Sc and B.Com courses that are highly regarded by former students and educational experts.

Each course available at the college is said to offer a comprehensive curriculum, which fosters a well-rounded understanding of the respective fields. The undergraduate courses offered by the college are well-designed to include traditional concepts that are highly relevant to the current industry as well as the newer developments. These courses form a strong foundation for students that helps them better understand their respective disciplines and pursue higher studies with a broader perspective.

While most of the specialisations offered by the college have received praise, some of the notable courses provided by the college are as follows:

• BA English
• BA Bengali
• BA Hindi/ Urdu
• B.Com in Accounting and Finance
• B.Com in Management
• B.Sc Physics/ Chemistry
• B.Sc Mathematics

The college has systemised curricula and syllabi to ensure that all the courses consist of various concepts and practical learning scopes to provide students with extensive knowledge and training. It also regularly conducts tests and gives assignments to keep students abreast of their academics. It is also dedicated to making quality education accessible to students from underrepresented communities by giving them special consideration through reserved seats. 

Nominal Course Fees

As mentioned above, the college is popularly known for its highly nominal course fee structure, making quality education accessible to students from all walks of life. While there are reservations on seats for students based on their categories, there are no fee exemptions, which does not matter as the course fees are affordable to all.

The semester fees for each program consist of various charges, such as tuition fees, admission fees, library fees, practical learning fees, semester fees, etc. Based on the latest semester fee structure, the course fees for all the BA programs, regardless of the specialisation, is INR 1255 per semester. However, there are variations in the fee structure for BA Geography, B.Com and B.Sc programs based on the course requirements.

The course fees for BA Geography are INR 1280 and INR 315 for the Accountancy program. The course fees for B.Sc programs in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics are INR 1530, INR 1530 and INR 1505, respectively. In addition to the course fees, students are also required to pay a sum of INR 615 for miscellaneous expenses, such as registration fees, identity card, sports and union fees.

In addition to the highly affordable course fee structure, this public college also provides scholarships, especially for students belonging to the SC/ ST and OBC categories. National scholarships are available for deserving students based on their academic performance.

Attendance Policy

According to the college's rules and regulations, students must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% each semester for all the practical and theoretical sessions to be eligible for appearing in the final examination. In case they fail to meet the minimum attendance requirement, they will have to connect with the affiliated university and complete the requisite process to appear for the end-semester examination.

Educated & Humble Professors

The professors at the college are considered to be a strong pillar that keeps up the academic excellence across all the departments. The faculty members for each discipline are well-educated and have immense teaching experience that ensures students are assisted in all possible ways to meet their academic expectations. 

While a few professors are not on par with the others, students are generally satisfied with their experience with their professors. The college has limited courses, so it has carefully selected experienced and knowledgeable professors who can impart quality education.

The professors are known for their determination to provide the relevant knowledge and skills to their students as per the requirements of the subjects. Apart from that, the faculty members are also highly supportive and genuine and are ready to help the students with their studies and other academic matters. 

In general, the professors at the college are highly regarded by the students for their knowledge, expertise, and unique teaching style, which ensures that all students, regardless of their mental capacity, gain valuable education to sustain a successful career ahead.

Poorly Maintained Infrastructure

Even though the college has a well-facilitated infrastructure, including various facilities and amenities, such as well-equipped laboratories and other recreational facilities, students have alleged that the academic infrastructure, such as classrooms, is poorly maintained and is old. In addition, students have mentioned that the college has a small campus with few sports facilities. 

To ensure students have access to developed and modern learning facilities, the college has included interactive classrooms well-equipped with audiovisual aids, such as projectors, smartboards, etc. 

While most of the academic infrastructure is traditionally designed, most classrooms have been refurbished to include modern, state-of-the-art teaching and learning equipment. Along with that, the college also provides seminar halls where academic events are conducted.

The Science departments have respective laboratories decently equipped with the latest instruments and devices to ensure students have a well-rounded, practical learning environment. The laboratories also have modern technologies to match the ever-evolving industry requirements. The college has basic amenities and advanced instruments for each relevant subject.

As mentioned, the college has a smaller yet well-stocked library with an extensive collection of books, journals, research papers and other resources for different subjects. In addition to that, students can access old question papers and other electronic resources through the college's official website. 

One of the significant drawbacks of the college's infrastructure is its lack of sports facilities. Students have mentioned online that the college has no established sports complex, which restricts them from pursuing their interests. As there are limited sports activities, the facilities are not appropriately maintained. Additionally, the gymnasium at the college is outdated and requires upkeep.

Although the college has a decent canteen, the food and beverages available at the college canteen are too expensive or unaffordable, which makes it difficult for students. However, the canteen is located within an ideal distance of different departments. 

Despite the college's infrastructure being decently facilitated, the facilities and amenities require improvement and maintenance. Nevertheless, it has the necessary facilities, such as smart classrooms, a well-stocked library and open spaces where students can relax and rejuvenate through the hectic academic curriculum.

Limited Hostel Facilities

The college only provides housing facilities for female students who belong to SC/ST categories. However, the hostel only accommodates 20 students at once. Those in dire need of on-campus housing can contact the superintendent for admission. The rooms are furnished with beds, tables, chairs and other amenities. 

There are no housing facilities available for students from other categories, so they can opt for off-campus accommodation at private hostels and PGs within the college premises. There are numerous PGs available at varying preferences and budgets. Some PGs also provide timely meals three times a day. Typically, the monthly rents at the private hostels and PGs range from INR 3000 to INR 15,000, based on the facilities available and the overall luxury in the PGs.

Vibrant Campus Experience

The college has limited academic courses, so the student community is closely knitted with various activities and events conducted regularly by different departments. In addition to the annual fests and events conducted by the college, the students' clubs and societies also organise various events, competitions and activities where students can pursue their interests and hobbies.

The college is said to organise several activities, such as annual days, dance, drama and music competitions, cultural events and sports tournaments. The college also conducts various academic activities, such as webinars, seminars, workshops, guest lectures and self-development programs that help students gain more insights into their courses and career prospects. 

The college conducts various sports tournaments and competitions for indoor and outdoor sports, such as cricket, badminton, table tennis and athletics. The annual events and fests conducted by the college enable students to connect with each other and interact with like-minded people. The various activities organised by the clubs and societies ensure that students have a well-rounded experience and develop academically, professionally, and personally.

Diversity on Campus

The student body at the college mainly consists of regional students and fewer students from other parts of the country. This makes the college community less diverse. However, the gender ratio at the college is relatively balanced, with almost equal numbers of male and female students.

Nevertheless, the college has a diverse student population from different categories and communities, reflecting the highly nominal course fee structure.

Dress Code

The college has no defined uniform or strict rules for its students. However, they are expected to maintain a decent and modest dress code appropriate for academic settings. Students are also required to adhere to societal norms.

Insignificant Placements

According to the placement records for the previous year, the college has achieved only a 25% placement rate. As the college has not released any official statistics, there is little information regarding the placement opportunities and career prospects available.

Nevertheless, based on the students' reviews on online forums, most of the students were offered job opportunities by regional companies and organisations. The highest salary package delivered to the students was INR 5.76 LPA, and the average salary package was INR 3.24 LPA. Most jobs were acquired by students who were graduating from the Commerce programs.

Overall Impression on Islampur College

It can be concluded that Islampur College is a decent option for those students who only intend to get an essential undergraduate degree in any of the Arts, Science and Commerce disciplines. Located in a backward region in Siliguri, West Bengal, it is a small college with limited academic and professional growth possibilities.

Most students prefer to get admission at this college because of its highly affordable course fee structure, making primary education accessible to students from all walks of life. Though there are shortcomings in the maintenance and availability of different amenities, the college has a decent infrastructure with facilities catering to the academic and extracurricular needs of the students.

Furthermore, students are advised to connect with current and former students of the college to learn more about their desired courses and career prospects so that they can judge the college better. Some of the pros and cons of Islampur College are also mentioned below for a better understanding.