Amarjeet Sinha addresses the workshop in Patna on Friday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Computer and language laboratories would be set up in 54 colleges across the state to help students boost their technical and communication skills.

The education department would provide the required funds for the labs.

Speaking at the inaugural workshop of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) at BD College, education department principal secretary Amarjeet Sinha said: “The department has identified 54 institutes, which would have language and computer laboratories.”

BD College, too, has been included in the list.

According to sources, the idea behind setting up the labs is to improve the communication and technical skills of students.

The workshop attended by senior education department officials and World Bank members K.M. Kurup, Larsen, Soumi Shah and others, highlighted the importance of NAAC accreditation for all universities and colleges across the state.

Education department special secretary Sanjeevan Sinha said: “Around 100 colleges in the state have so far applied for the NAAC accreditation. Those who had not done so, can apply for it by the month-end.”

The NAAC accreditation is must for colleges, as failure to get the approval would deprive institutes of funds from University Grants Commission (UGC). The education department has asked colleges and universities to get themselves NAAC accredited.

Sources said for accreditation, UGC generally decides on 11 parameters, which include infrastructure, faculty positions, academic activities, extra-curriculars, students’ grievance cell, hostel facility, medical aid facility, library, smart classes and others. The strength and weaknesses of colleges are also analysed.

The education department principal secretary said the process for appointment of teachers would start soon. UGC guidelines would be followed to appointed the teachers. The UGC regulation of 2009 mandate that candidates should have qualified for National Eligibility Test.

The Raj Bhavan recently gave its nod to several bills pertaining to state universities. The Bihar State Universities Amendment Bill, 2013, pertains to appointment of teachers in universities and colleges.

The Bihar Public Service Commission would appoint the teachers.

He added: “The state government is committed to improve the higher education scenario in universities and constituent colleges of Bihar. There would be no compromise with the quality of education in the colleges under the state universities.”