Manish Kumar, one of the art college graduates who have got a job in a New Delhi-based animation firm. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

The maiden campus recruitment of three College of Arts and Crafts, Patna, students last week hints at bright prospect of aspiring artists of the institution.

New Delhi-based FA World Academy — that works in film and television animation — has recruited Manish Kumar (of applied arts, 2012 batch), Deepak Kumar (sculpture, 2012) and Deepu (painting, 2011). They have been offered pay packages of Rs 20,000 per month, plus perks.

According to the college authorities, this is the first time that students have got jobs through campus recruitment. The students were selected through tests and interviews conducted on August 16 and 17.

They are, naturally, overjoyed to find employment.

“This is the first time any company visited the college and recruited three students,” said Manish, adding: “The number may be small but it’s a sign of hope for the hundreds of students of the college.”

Chandra Bhushan Srivastava, the principal of the college, said: “More companies would visit the campus next year. We are in talks with a few.”

The students claimed that their potential was of late being properly nurtured and recognised with improvement in infrastructure and initiatives of the authorities.

Around two years ago, the college — which is the alma mater of world famous artists like Subodh Gupta — did not have any regular teachers. In January 2011, then vice-chancellor of Patna University Shambhu Nath Singh recruited nine instructors. Then, last year, the college introduced the four-year bachelors degree course in fine arts, replacing the five-year course. By doing so, it joined the ranks of reputable institutions like Delhi College of Art and MS University of Baroda. At present, the college offers specialisation in sculpture, painting and applied arts and printmaking. Last year, the college revised its syllabus after an interval of more than three decades.

The positive impact of these steps is for everyone to see. Jyoti Kumar, a final-year student of applied arts, said: “The college has started to improve the infrastructure by purchasing new equipment, tools and computers.” Besides regular classes, Jyoti, along with other students of college, recently took part in art camps organised by the government at Koteshwar Dham temple in the Belaganj block of Gaya district and Sitamarhi. “Students get a lot exposure in such camps,” she said.

Infrastructure development is a major concern for the college authorities.

Shashi Ranjan Prasad, a teacher in the applied arts department, said: “Technological advancement and creative innovation are the two most important focuses of the college. We want the students to get jobs as soon as they pass out.”