Engineering college derecognised

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KOLKATA: The future of around 300 students of Kingston Engineering College in Barasat becomes uncertain after the All India Council for Technical Education withdrew recognition to the college.

The AICTE had issued several warnings to the college earlier against disobeying rules and regulations. This is the first time that the council has taken such an extreme step.

The decision was taken on the ground that the institution has not yet acquired land conversion papers. AICTE has informed the state higher education department and West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT) of its decision to derecognize the college which was granted affiliation in 2008.

"There is inadequate infrastructure and the faculty is not up-to-the-mark. Moreover, there is land dispute which has possibly forced AICTE to withdraw recognition," said a higher education department official.

Now, AICTE has instructed WBUT to request the higher education department to redistribute existing students of the college among local engineering colleges in the vicinity. "We shall soon write to WBUT to which Kingston Engineering College is affiliated. AICTE has also informed us that in case there is a trouble with norms, it will be considered. The students will be given their desired stream in which they are currently studying in Kingston college," added a source.

The only trouble which WBUT may face is in case colleges in the vicinity are filled to their optimum capacity. The current AICTE rule does not entitle colleges to overshoot their seat limits. "They have promised to make necessary amendments and relax rules as special cases," said the higher education department official.

A visit to the college on Thursday revealed unfinished structures. A well-stocked library and decorated computer lab remained empty. The students had requested teachers to let the day's schedule get over early since they were disappointed with AICTE's decision.

"We don't know what to do now," said Saugata Banerjee, third-year electronics student. "AICTE should have informed us about any possibility of de-recognition during counselling," said Tuhin Mitra, another third-year student from the same department. The 300 students studying in second and third years are jittery about their future.

"We have been assured by college authorities that we shall be re-distributed in other colleges. But what about placements? Will the college we go treat us on par with their own students during placements? Several students have come to study with bank loans. Will the bank continue to offer us the loans?" questions Abir Dasgupta, third year computer science student.

Shubhashish Nath, teacher of electrical and thermal power at the institute is dismayed at the decision of AICTE. "It was in 2008 when AICTE gave us the approval. The same terms and conditions still exist. How could they suddenly de-recognize the college now? What will happen to the 42 teachers and around 36 staff who managed the college all these years?" he asks.

The students are also worried about their mark sheets. "Will it contain marks from both institutes. If not, then companies will not offer us any jobs," says Debanjan, a third year electrical engineering student from Ultadanga.

The college currently offers courses in four streams - Electrical, electronics, IT and Computer Science. It also has the facility of bus services. There are six college buses plying on different routes.

The trouble started since the college still does not have the land conversion papers in place. "We have approached AICTE to reconsider their decision. But, they have not responded. We now want to appeal to higher education minister Bratya Basu and chief minister Mamata Banerjee to look into the matter," said Nemai Tarafdar, another teacher in the college.

AICTE has written to WBUT regarding the decision. "The approval of AICTE has been withdrawn and university affiliation has also been withdrawn," informed vice chancellor of WBUT, Sabyasachi Sengupta. "The problem is with their land conversion certificate. Earlier, it was an agricultural land and a document has to be issued by the land revenue department that the land can now be used for education purposes. The college was issued a show-cause notice and also appeared before a hearing committee. They could not produce the certificate. Hence the decision," added a WBUT source.

Initially, WBUT had granted affiliation to the college since they overlooked the unavailability of their land conversion certificate. "We thought that we should limit ourselves to academic inspection, which they fulfilled," added the source.

A teacher said the college authority is in the process of receiving the land conversion certificate. They had applied for it long back and the process has again begun. "A little wait could have solved the problem," he said.

Sabyasachi Sengupta concluded, "When they receive the certificate, the college can re-apply for affiliation and approval."
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