Kumaun University's Review & Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

Surrounded by the serene Himalayas and the picturesque beauty of Nainital, Kumaun University provides an enriching educational experience to its students. It is a popular regional university offering affordable education and a diverse range of courses. Kumaun University Nainital imparts education and research through eight faculties, Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, Education, Law, Technology and Visual Arts. Kumaun University fees ranges from INR 4K to 4 Lakh for majority of the courses. 

Kumaun University takes pride in maintaining diversity, promoting research and innovation, maintaining internal quality and undertaking collaborations. It also offers a well-balanced gender ratio with 54% female and 46% male students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 50:1, which is good but can be improved. 

Kumaun University NIRF Ranking

Kumaun University has been featured in the NIRF Rankings for four consecutive years under the pharmacy category. 

Our Take:

Ranking among the top 100 pharmacy colleges in India is considerable. However, the rank of the university has declined by 3 places in 2023 and 2022. It indicates a decline across the criteria followed by NIRF for ranking. Also, the university participated in other categories such as “Overall” and “Management” but didn’t secure a spot which is a question to ponder upon. 

Kumaun University Academia & Batch Size

The academia of Kumaun University is a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge. The university follows the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) to allow students to explore their interests and develop skills. Moreover, KU Nainital promotes research and innovation. It has a dedicated innovation and incubation centre for young researchers and entrepreneurs. 

However, many students have complained that the curriculum of Kumaun University is outdated. The university majorly focuses on the theoretical aspect of teaching and learning. Students also reported a lack of regularity in classes, extra-curricular activities and exposure opportunities. Moreover, the examinations at Kumaun University is relatively easier, with a pass percentage of 80-90%. Students easily qualify for the examination with hardly two weeks of preparation. 

Our Take:

While the university is trying to match with the latest academic trends, the students appear dissatisfied with the outdated syllabus, teaching methods and fewer exposure opportunities. This could prevent students from reaching their full potential and make them unprepared for the challenges of the industry. Furthermore, the university needs to scale up the level of examination to test students better.  

Kumaun University Infrastructure

Nestled in a serene environment, Kamau University boasts a well-structured infrastructure and adequate facilities. Let’s have a reality check by diving deep into the details! 

Classroom: The classrooms at Kumaun University are well-lit and properly ventilated. Based on students' feedback, some classrooms are furnished with projectors and new furniture, whereas some lack comfortable furniture. Smart classrooms are also available at the campus. 

Auditorium/Seminar Halls/Labs: The university has a well-furnished auditorium and conference halls for conducting lectures and seminars. The seating capacity of the auditorium is 200+ and it is laced with audio-video equipment. Moreover, students have confirmed that KU has well-equipped labs in various departments such as computer science and pharmacy. 

Internet: Kumaun University has internet facilities across the campus. However, low-speed issues and unstable Wi-Fi connections exist. 

Library: KU Nainital has a central library providing a good collection of reference books, journals, research papers, etc. As per student reviews, the library is resourceful but says that more books should be added in number.

Hostel: There are hostel facilities in DSB and Technical Campus, Bhimtal of Kumaun University. Male and female students have separate hostels. As per student reviews, hostels are decent but food quality can be improved. 

Activities: Annual events such as convocation and induction are organised by KU Nainital. Various student bodies and associations like NSS, ABVP and NSUI conduct some activities around the year. However, students have reported that Kumaun University lacks in conducting regular co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Cafe/Hang-out: The university offers an on-campus canteen facility. However, the food served here is not up to the mark! One can easily overhear the ex-students suggesting to the current fellow students to have better food in nearby cafes. 

Nainital being a hill station has several viewpoints and hangout places. Let’s see what amazing places are there near the KU campus. 

Our Take:

The picturesque location of the Kumaun University campus provides a refreshing environment for learning and innovation. Overall, the infrastructure is well-built and the facilities are adequate. However, improvement in multiple areas is required such as classroom furniture, library book collection, internet stability, hostel food quality and conduction of regular classes and activities. 

Kumaun University Internships and Placements 

Kumaun University Internships

No official information or report related to internship opportunities at Kumaun University has been released. As per students' feedback, internship opportunities are not provided at the university. Students look for off-campus internship opportunities by themselves. 

Kumaun University Placements

Students are not happy with KU Nainital for inadequate placement opportunities. Let's have a look at the statistics of the Kumaun Univeristy placement in 2023 as per the NIRF Report. 

Our Take:

Students at Kumaun University are getting negligible industry exposure and opportunities. The placement percentage for the PG (1-year and interagted) programme is above average but the scenario of other courses is meagre. The cherry on the top is the average package offered which is way less than the industry average. 

Kumaun University Diversity & Demographics

Home State Vs Other States’ Students

Male vs Female students

Our Take:

• Kumaun University enjoys a good regional presence with 95% home-state students. On the other hand, only 5% of students from other states indicate its unpopularity outside Uttarakhand.  
• With 0 international students, student diversity is a question.  
• A balanced gender ratio is available with 54% female and 46% male students. 

Kumaun University Faculty/College Administration & Management

Kumaun University is home to 212 faculty members as per NIRF Report 2023. More than 50% of teachers are permanent and the majority of them are PhD holders. Students have shared positive reviews about the faculty and management of Kumaun University. According to them, the teachers are knowledgeable and supportive and the management is helpful and responsive. 

However, major drawbacks experienced by the students are the irregularity in conducting regular classes and maintaining minimum attendance. Due to this leniency, students miss out on the opportunity to learn genuinely. Along with that, the faculty and management majorly focus on assignments and examinations. Students often rely on question banks and last-year question papers to prepare for exams at the last minute. 

Our Take:

A genuine intent to provide better education seems missing at Kumaun University. While the faculty and management are supportive and student-friendly, they need to prioritise regular classes, attendance and experiential learning. Distribution of only degrees should not be the objective of a university. Kumaun University administration should bring reforms to the teaching-learning environment. 

Kumaun University Location

Kumaun University is located at, Ayarpatta, Nainital, Naina Range, Uttarakhand. The nearest bus stop is Pantnagar Bus Stop located at a distance of 2 km. Students travelling via railways can catch a train from Kathgodam Railway Station located 23 km away from the campus. The nearest airport is the Pantnagar Airport, just 2 km away. 

Kumaun University: Expectation vs Reality - CLD Verdict!

Kumaun University provides a natural setting for learning. It might help students with creativity and innovation. On the upside, KU has above-average infrastructure and adequate facilities. Additionally, it offers an affordable fee structure and a diverse array of courses. On the other hand, the university falls short of offering sufficient hands-on experience, internship and placement opportunities. Along with that, inconsistencies in class schedules and assessment-related issues, create an average image of the university. 

Our Final Checklist!