Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University (CBPBU) Review & Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at Glimpse

Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University (CBPBU), founded in 2012, is a well-known state university in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal. The University has been authorized by the UGC and accredited 'B++' grade by NAAC. CBPBU provides undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and master's degree programmes, as well as certificate and B.Voc. degree programmes. CBPBU is not very well-ranked and is more of a basic college where students can easily get admission and a degree. It is situated in the centre of the city and is well-connected to the markets, bus stops, hospitals and restaurants. The campus is quite spacious and has all the necessary facilities, such as a canteen, library, hostel accommodation, and transportation. The course structure of the college is in line with industry standards and includes CBCS and semester-wise systems. The faculty of the college is well-qualified and helps students in their studies and can even help them find employment outside the college. The Cooch Behar College course fees are very affordable making higher education accessible to students coming from all walks of life. One of the main drawbacks is that the college does not provide proper placements and students have to find jobs on their own after getting a degree. Overall, the college is a good choice for students who do not want to move to another state for higher education.

CBPBU NIRF Ranking

CBPBU hasn't got any NIRF ranking in any year. However, it has received the following rankings under the 'Best Universities' category in the EduRank July 2023 reports -

• 28 out of the 42 universities/colleges in West Bengal

• 447 of 876 universities/colleges in India

• 2733 of 5830 universities/colleges in Asia

• 7064 of 14131 universities/colleges in the world

Our Take

The reasons for CBPBU not making it to the NIRF rankings could be the poor faculty-to-student ratio with an emphasis on permanent faculty, poor placement records, and lack of recognition in the field of research and innovation. To feature among the top NIRF rankings, CBPBU must improve the quality of teaching through faculty development programs and innovative teaching methods. To build perception, the administration should focus on promoting the university's achievements, research, and initiatives while engaging with stakeholders, alumni, and industry partners to enhance overall reputation and rankings.

CBPBU Academia & Batch Size

CBPBU incorporates a choice-based credit system (CBCS) and semester system in its courses as stated on the university's official website. The college administers several class tests and semester-wise exams throughout the year. The difficulty level of the university exams is moderate. The course content is relevant as per industry standards to prepare students for real-world challenges once the degree is completed. CBPBU also organizes various seminars on trending topics relevant to the subject of study. 

Our Take

CBPBU's academic framework and teaching approach is progressive. The college is employing modern educational techniques like CBCS and the semester system which offers students a fair evaluation and option to study their desired courses, thus promoting interdisciplinary learning. With the semester system, the student's academic burden is lightened as the exam is divided into two or more semesters. There are seminars and workshops conducted at the university to foster an interactive learning environment for students. The faculty, examination system and curriculum at CBPBU are truly helpful. They are accessible and supportive, which makes the learning experience enriching. The course curriculum is well-structured and offers a wide range of programmes that cater to the student's interests. However, there is an opportunity for more innovative and practical teaching approaches to be implemented to improve the overall learning experience. 

CBPBU Infrastructure 

Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University offers all the basic facilities that students will need during their academic journey on the campus. 

• Classroom:CBPBU classrooms are well furnished with adequate seating arrangements and modern audio-visual equipment that makes teaching and learning fun.

• Auditorium/ Seminar Halls/ Labs:The university has an auditorium for organizing various events. There are labs for various departments where students can perform practical work. 

• Library:The university features a library with internet access, as well as a digital library. The Central Library of Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University provides a collection of high-quality open-access e-resources such as e-journals, e-books, e-Thesis & Dissertations, e-Databases, Courseware and Learning Resources, and e-newspapers.

• Internet:The institution has a vast campus with Wi-Fi connectivity. 

• Hostel:CBPBU offers hostel facilities. Besides, students can find various PG rooms near the university campus where they can live comfortably. 

• Activities: Sports like football, badminton, chess, and throwball are routinely played at the university, and teams from the university and specific departments compete in inter-university and national-level sporting tournaments. The university is particularly active in celebrating all of the country's festivities, conducting seminars, extracurricular activities, and competitions. 

• Cafe/ Hang-out Places: There is a canteen on the university campus that serves a variety of meals.

Our Take 

In terms of offering students a memorable and comfortable university life, CBPBU is doing amazing work. The use of audio-visual tools for teaching and learning is a great initiative as it helps the teacher to present the lesson effectively while students can learn and retain the concepts better and for a longer duration. Hostel accommodation at affordable rates ensures that students live comfortably within the university premises and need not spend extra money on PGs. With the university's digital library, students can access information from anywhere, at any time, through laptops/smartphones at their convenience. Apart from academics, CBPBU also encourages students to participate in co-curricular activities, sports etc. This is worth appreciating as studies have shown that students pursuing their hobbies achieved better results in their academics. Likewise, their academic performance improves as they learn to balance their co-curricular activities with academic pursuits. With access to a range of options in the university canteen, students are unlikely to miss homecooked food. 

CBPBU Internships and Placements

CBPBU Internship

Internship opportunities at CBPBU are very limited. It is highly unlikely that students will get any internships within the college. However, the university faculty helps students to get good internships in places like Kolkata, Lucknow, Delhi and Chandigarh. The internship stipend can be anywhere from INR 15,000 to INR 25,000 per month.

CBPBU Placement

CBPBU placements are below the average. Students do not find proper placements within the campus nor do many recruiters visit the campus to hire students. However, the university assists students in obtaining off-campus placements with decent salary packages in a reputable company. 

Our Take

CBPBU is doing poorly in terms of offering placements to students, which is also affecting its overall ranking. The university administration and placement cell must improve the quality and range of placements through industry collaborations, networking, and bringing recruiters who will offer proper jobs to students. The administration should invite companies to attend events on campus, such as career fairs, where they can meet and interview students for job openings. Sharing information about your college and upcoming events on social media platforms can help recruiters learn more about your college and the students you have. CBPBU management should also consider connecting with the alumni to reach out to hiring managers and recruiters at the companies they work for. Alumni can provide references and support for the college's recruitment efforts.

CBPBU Diversity & Representation

CBPBU is a co-educational institution that accepts students from all backgrounds, thus offering a diverse learning environment. The faculty includes a mix of both male and female teachers. The university does not share any religious affiliations and welcomes candidates regardless of gender, caste, religion, and so on. 

Our Take

Being located in Cooch Behar town which is a moderately developed city, we believe CBPBU attracts a large number of students from adjacent districts, which is beneficial because the university serves as a recognized educational institution for students living in nearby villages. The fact that the CBPBU administration welcomes both female and male teachers is praiseworthy as it implies the administration does not distinguish one's teaching capabilities based on gender; each individual be it students or the faculty, is given equal opportunities to prove their potential. Students from various cultural, religious, and financial backgrounds can enrol for admission at CBPBU. 

CBPBU Faculty/ College Administration & Management

CBPBU faculty members are qualified with Ph.D. or postgraduate degrees. The CBPBU teaching quality is excellent. Considering students' reviews on Quora, some professors are strict, but the majority are friendly and assist students with any difficulty, such as studying or dealing with other problems. Teachers at CBPBU are approachable and help students with their doubts. Professors assist students in securing internships and employment outside of university if they approach them. 

Our Take

The CBPBU faculty's commitment to teaching and mentoring is admirable. However, they still need to level up a lot and improve the university’s academics by adding more progressive approaches to teaching like adding industry visits and skill-building classes in the university, offering students career counselling, and more. If a university wishes to secure a better ranking and make a name then the management should actively work to improve the placements, academic, and campus life. The management should strive more to bring good recruiters to the university who will offer jobs to students.

As far as the management and administration are concerned, the university's Anti-Ragging Cell, Anti Sexual Harassment Cell, and Student Grievance Cell are doing a commendable job in keeping up with the institute's discipline and values. However, students are free to reach out for help in case they feel threatened. The university authorities are quick to take action against any injustice or bullying inside the campus to ensure the ultimate safety of the candidates. 

CBPBU Location

CBPBU is located in Panchanan Nagar, Vivekananda Street, Cooch Behar in the West Bengal State of India - 736101. It is a key urban centre in the region, acting as a regional administrative and educational core. The university is well-connected to nearby departmental stores and grocery stores via auto rickshaws, local buses etc. In addition, the CBPBU also offers transportation services within the city for students. There are eatery stalls, SVF Cinema Coochbehar, Axis Bank ATM, and Guriahati Post Office all just a few kilometres away from the university. 

Our Take

CBPBU is situated within the city which makes it easy for students to travel, avail medical facilities, and get all that they need from nearby grocery stores. Students who have come from outside states will have no problem travelling around as there are plenty of options available for the commute. 

Expectation vs Reality CollegeDekho Verdict

CBPBU may not be a top institution in India, but it is well-known in West Bengal, notably in Cooch Behar, for giving good education to students from neighbouring regions. Students have mentioned on Quora that CBPBU is one of the best universities in the Cooch Behar area for students interested in pursuing a B.Sc. in Physiology. Other universities in North Bengal either do not offer this subject or are not as good as CBPBU. Securing admission at CBPBU is easy and its fees are quite affordable. The academic course structure at CBPBU is in accordance with industry norms. The institution gives students everything they need, from a hostel, and canteen to proper classrooms, a library, and labs. However, if you want to jumpstart your career with college placements, this is not the ideal college for you. As CBPBU placements are quite low, most students do not acquire employment or even sit for interviews because recruiters rarely visit the university.

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