Patna University vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh views the exhibits at a photography exhibition at College of Arts and Crafts. Singh inaugurated the event, in which 130 photographs taken by the students of the college were on display. Fourth-year student Smriti Priyadarshani bagged the first prize. The various themes on which the students clicked photographs were travel, nature, pollution and journalism. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Jan. 19: College of Arts and Crafts, Patna, will get a special gift from Patna University (PU) on its birthday. The list of new teachers for the art cradle would be released on its foundation day — January 25.

PU vice-chancellor (VC) Shambhu Nath Singh today said: “We plan to announce the names of successful candidates, who have been selected by the varsity, for the vacant faculty posts in the college on its foundation day.”

The process of conducting written tests and interviews started on January 7. New teachers are being appointed for the college after nearly two decades and a directive from the high court.

Sources said 219 applications had been received by the varsity for the vacant posts. Many of the applicants have degrees from MS University, Baroda, Visva-Bharati University, Bengal, and Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai.

Eleven candidates would be appointed for the posts of assistant professors. At present, the college does not have any permanent faculty members or a principal. Atul Aditya Pandey, a teacher of Patna Science College, has been serving as the principal in-charge of the college.

In October last year, the high court, while hearing a public interest litigation, directed Patna University to start the process of appointing permanent faculty members for the College of Arts and Crafts, Patna.

The university is also planning to develop the college as a premier institution.

VC Singh said: “We are planning to introduce masters programmes in the college. These would be of two-year duration. Students would get a master in fine arts degree. The university is also planning to revise the syllabus of the college.”

Sources said there had been no syllabus revision at the college for more than three decades.

Singh said: “Once the syllabus is revised, there will be four-year undergraduate programmes. Students would be able to seek admission to the institute after Class XII.”

At present, the undergraduate degree at the college is of five years and students can enter the programme after Matriculation.

The VC said: “All premier art institutes provide four-year bachelor in fine arts course. Once we introduce the four-year course, students will not have any problem in pursuing higher education. They will be able to take admission in masters programmes in other colleges and universities.”

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has also directed the university to admit students to the four-year undergraduate course after Class XII.

The new course would also be introduced after the syllabus revision. The university plans to start courses in animation and graphic design at the college. Performing arts like music, dance and others could also be included.

Students of the college are happy with the changes on cards. Pankaj Kumar, a student of the college, said: “As the syllabus has not been revised for more than 30 years, students lag behind in contemporary art. Once the syllabus is revised, students will be on a par with graduates of other art colleges.”