Upendra Kishore Sinha. Telegraph picture

The heritage Patna Science College would turn a new chapter on December 31.

Former acting vice-chancellor (VC) of Patna University (PU) Upendra Kishore Sinha would take charge as the principal of the science cradle on December 31. The botany teacher had been serving in the VC’s post after the Supreme Court quashed the appointment of Shambhu Nath Singh as the PU VC in March this year.

Sinha, who would hold the college principal’s office for three years, said students and teachers needed to make collective efforts to restore the glory of one of the most prestigious colleges of the state.

He added: “My priority would be to increase the students’ class attendance and improve the teaching-learning process.” Sources said attendance of students, who were dependent on private tuitions, was abysmally low in the science college.

A gold medallist in botany from PU, Sinha joined the varsity in 1972 as a lecturer, became a professor in 1988 and served as the postgraduate science head for three years and dean, science faculty, for two years.

Sinha said his other priority would be to secure National Assessment and Accreditation Council (Naac) accreditation for Patna Science College. The last time the College got the Naac B++ accreditation was in 2007, but failed to secure that thereafter.

With a 42-year teaching experience, Sinha said: “According to the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, getting Naac accreditation is mandatory and my effort would be to get a good grade for the college.” The Naac tag would help the college get adequate funds to develop infrastructure, including modernisation of labs and purchase of new scientific equipment.

Students have pinned high hopes on their new principal. Aniket Kumar, a physics undergraduate student, said: “For a science institution, what students require is better laboratory facilities. If the college principal plans to upgrade labs, it would definitely help improve academics.”