• Megha Srivastava, a Ranchi University student formerly in Kolhan University, wanted her migration certificate application to be signed from the latter's varsity branch office, but couldn't find anyone to do so last week

• A group of students from Jamshedpur Workers' College approached Kolhan branch office in October to request registration forms be signed before sending them to the varsity's Chaibasa headquarters but the office was found closed

Jamshedpur: Kolhan University branch office on the premises of The Graduate School College and Women in Sakchi is often found closed, compelling students to visit the head office in Chaibasa, 50km away from Jamshedpur, for even minor formalities.

Before Kolhan University separated from Ranchi University in 2009, the latter's branch office in Bistupur was fully vibrant, helping students in jobs such as verifying application forms for migration certificates, applying for provisional certificates, forwarding forms for varsity registration and solving student queries.

Students allege the varsity branch office, set up in Sakchi in 2011, is hardly open.

"The branch office is mostly closed. I had to go to Chaibasa to apply for my migration certificate that could have easily been done from here," grumbled Megha, who shifted to Ranchi University when her family moved to the capital.

Professor B.N. Ojha from The Graduate School College for Women, who is deputed at the branch office, expressed helplessness. "I have to juggle classes along activities at the branch office. It gets difficult."

Many disgruntled students want the branch office, "in name only", to shut shop. Others are unaware such a facility exists. Hemant Pathak, an Ajsu student leader, said the varsity should either run the branch office properly or close it. "It was opened on students' demand but now is useless. They have not hired staff and a full-time teacher can't be expected to do all the work."

A varsity official in Chaibasa said they had not decided whether to upgrade or close the Sakchi branch office. "As Chaibasa is not far, many Jamshedpur students prefer coming here," he claimed.