Guwahati, March 6: Academicians and experts from various fields today came down heavily on a section of teachers and employees of Cotton College who are opposing proposed deemed university status for the century-old college.

Speaking at a meet organised by the Association of Past and Present Office-Bearers of Cotton College Union Society, Kishori Mohan Pathak, former vice-chancellor of Tezpur University expressed deep concern over the opposition to the coveted status.

“It has made me extremely unhappy that a section of the college teachers has become complacent and reluctant to embrace changes. If an institution like Cotton College cannot accept changes, it will head nowhere,” he said.

Pathak appealed to the teachers and employees of the college to quit their negative stand.

Some teachers and employees were of the opinion that if the college becomes a deemed university many departments would become redundant and their service rules would change.

Academicians and experts were incensed when differences of opinion on the deemed university status became evident among the teachers.

Maheswar Kalita, a teacher of the department of Assamese, said deemed university status would create confusion in the college.

On the other hand, Satyendra Kumar Choudhury, a senior teacher of the chemistry department, said it was unfortunate that a section of teachers was opposing the move for their own interests.

Author Mamoni Raisom Goswami expressed shock on hearing of the differences among the teachers. She said everyone in Cotton College should unite to achieve deemed university status as soon as possible.

A team consisting of officials from the ministry of human resource development and the University Grants Commission is expected to visit the college this month to prepare a report on deemed university status.

Former chief secretary H.N. Das said considering the glorious history of Cotton College and current pool of talents, deemed university status is overdue for the institution.

He said it is not the time to oppose the move but to welcome it.

Jagadish Dutta, spokesperson for the association of past and present office-bearers, said history would not forgive anyone opposing the move and asked the government to grant the upgraded status.

Former vice-chancellors N.K. Choudhury and Kamaleswar Bora, director of IIT Guwahati, Gautom Barua, vice-chancellor of Gauhati University Amarjyoti Choudhury and IPS officer Dilip Bora among others were present at the function.