A CORRESPONDENT
LAKHIMPUR: The University Grant Commission (UGC) has extended the autonomous status of North Lakhimpur College (Autonomous) for five years from the session 2021-2022 to 2025-2026. This was informed to the college by UGC through a letter, Vide No. F. 22-1/2017(AC), countersigned by Surendra Singh, the Joint Secretary of UGC. In addition, the UGC has extended the ex-post-fecto approval of the College too for the period 2019-2020 to 2020-2021 as per the provisions concerned under UGC Regulations.
Notably, North Lakhimpur College (Autonomous) is the first and foremost autonomous college of the State. The UGC, as per its regulations, accords the autonomous status to a qualified college for a period of five years in the first phase. Then this autonomous period is extended as per the evaluation of the academic report and observation of the first five-year period. Under such circumstances, the due evaluation and the autonomous status of North Lakhimpur College had to be completed and extended in 2018-2019 session. But the UGC conducted the evaluation of the college in March of the current year. The UGC retained the ex-post-fecto approval of the last two sessions in addition to extending the autonomous status for five years.
Awarded with autonomous status in 2013, North Lakhimpur College has experienced tremendous changes in academic and administrative aspects. At present, all the activities and functions of the college are managed like a university with its own academic courses, academic routine, examination control department, academic council etc. The amelioration of the college has extended much contribution to the academic development of the State. Due to the dynamism of the college, the students of the college have grabbed much opportunity to study in the leading academic institutions across the nation.
In 2013, Mass Communication, Physical Education courses were introduced in the college. Moreover, Post Graduate courses were launched in five departments while MPhil course was launched in one department of the college following the year 2013. North Lakhimpur College (Autonomous) is the only one college of the State with the courses from Graduate level to MPhil, standing as the epitome of academic pride of Lakhimpur district as well as entire North Assam. The Evaluation Committee, constituted by UGC, lauded the college for its academic advancement and development while visiting the college.
The college authority has expressed rejoice and happiness for achieving the success by overcoming lots of barriers and limitations in different arenas. While extending thanks and gratitude to the well wishers for the achievement, Principal of the college, Dr. Biman Chandra Chetia told The Sentinel that immense contribution of a number of people was behind the success of the college.