Kolhan University pro vice-chancellor Laksmisree Banerjee

Jamshedpur, Jan. 13: It’s celebration time at Kolhan University.

The five-month-old university has not only bagged recognition from University Grants Commission, it has also joined the elite club of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Secretary-general of AIU Beena Shah, in a letter faxed to pro vice-chancellor of Ranchi University Laksmisree Banerjee, conveyed the message today.

“It is a matter of pride that Kolhan University has been able to get the membership of AIU within five months of its inception. The university has also got affiliation from University Grants Commission (UGC), which is a pre-requisite for becoming a member of AIU,” Banerjee told The Telegraph.

Soon after assuming office in October, the pro vice-chancellor started negotiations and visited New Delhi in December so that AIU membership and UGC recognition was processed and formalised at the earliest.

AIU membership would enable the newly constituted university to upgrade its curriculum, research activities, evaluation system, NAAC assessment and introducing other academic reforms.

“It’s a prestigious membership for a university. We are happy that we could achieve it in such a short span of time. The AIU membership will help Kolhan better its standards besides upgrading it into a modern university,” said Banerjee.

According to her, the first priority of the university would be to set up a second campus at a suitable place in the steel city. The university’s headquarter is located at Chaibasa.

“I have taken up the issue with Tata Steel managing director and hope to get a plot for our second campus soon,” Banerjee said, adding that the university was initiating steps to stop exodus of students.

Teachers and students were ecstatic. “It’s an honour. The AIU membership will lend an impetus to constituent colleges under the university,” said Piyush Kumar, a faculty member of Jamshedpur Co-operative College, a constituent unit of Kolhan University.