Students of Patna Women’s College dress up for the institution’s 72nd annual day. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

St Xavier’s College of Education on February 8 organised a national seminar on socio-academic environment in schools and colleges.

More than 75 research papers were presented over two days. Sister Marion Mathew, head of the department, education, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad, said: “Technology has become a part and parcel of our lives. Students have begun to depend very much on gadgets. All answers are easily available on the Internet. So humans are becoming slaves of technology.”

She advised students to minimise the use of gadgets and to try and develop skills like communication, critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, professional ethics and leadership.

Jessie Modi, principal, Women’s Training College, said: “IQ Test is not the only way to judge the intelligence of a student. An all-round development is essential.”

Education department principal secretary Amarjeet Sinha inaugurated the seminar. He said the government was working to improve the standard of education in the state.

Sweet farewell

BBA Part III students of Magadh Mahila College got an emotional farewell on February 8 from their juniors.

The seniors came dressed in designer saris. Their juniors were not to be left behind: they, too, turned up in their best for a fashion show.

“This has been a wonderful day for us,” said Achita Mishra, a Part III student, who was declared Miss BBA at the end of the ramp event.

Her batchmate, Arpita, who was declared Miss Beautiful, said: “I was pleasantly surprised by the party organised by our juniors.”

Head of the department, Meera Verma, told the outgoing students to focus on their strengths and work confidently towards achieving their dreams.

College day

Patna Women’s College celebrated its 72nd annual day on February 6.

The chief guest for the event was Governor Devanand Konwar, who praised the college. “Even before coming to Bihar I used to meet alumni of Patna Women’s College, who work in New Delhi. The college has become the brand ambassador of the state,” he said.

Eager students got themselves photographed with Konwar. They also performed with alacrity at a cultural programme.

Undergraduate commerce students, along with bachelor of mass communication, BCA and BA students performed a play Kiya Charitra. Shefali Roy, a teacher at the political science department had directed the play on atrocities against women.

Nano centre

Aryabhatta Knowledge University is planning to develop a centre for the study of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Sources said the university has expedited the process of developing the centre. Anal Kant Jha, who has a PhD from Cambridge University, would head the department. A professor, two assistant professors and four associate professors would work at the centre.

It would have its own training and placement cells. The centre would work for technology and commercialisation. Ratnesh Lal, director, Centre for Multiscale Imaging of Living Systems in University of California, was recently invited by the university to discuss the project.

Lab & library hope

Students of JD Women’s College would soon get an e-library and a hi-tech laboratory.

The college has recently got a grant of Rs 1 crore from the government to develop the library and laboratory.

Principal Usha Singh said: “Students of our college used to complain that most of the books in the library are of the older editions. Now, the college would have an e-library and a developed laboratory. Students would also be able to study from foreign journals. It would solve the problem.”

She added: “Our college has been selected for the Colleges with Potential for Excellence programme of the UGC. We get assistance for the development of the college. We are trying to get an ‘A’ accreditation from the National Accreditation and Assessment Council.”