Tezpur University Gets UGC Nod To Open Assamese Department

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given its nod to Tezpur University (TU) to open a full-fledged Assamese department.

The development has come close on the heels of Tezpur University facing flak at different platforms for not opening an Assamese department. TU is a premiere Central university and an outcome of the historic Assam Accord.

After getting the UGC nod, the board of management of TU, vide a resolution has approved the proposal for the establishment of Assamese and three other departments — Foreign Languages, Pharmacy and Design. The university authority has also appointed four faculty members as heads in-charge of the departments with immediate effect for smooth functioning of the departments.

In February this year, the Assam Assembly had expressed grave concern over the fact that TU despite being an outcome of the Assam Accord, did not have an Assamese department. Responding to the issue, Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya assured the Assembly to take up the matter with the authorities concerned to ensure that the Assamese department is opened in TU.

Congress MP from Barpeta, Abdul Khaleque recently raised the issue in Lok Sabha. Union Human Resource Development minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ while responding to Khaleque told the Parliament that the UGC, vide letter dated March 6 had approved establishment of the Assamese department in TU. The Union Minister, however, clarified that at present, there is no proposal to open Assamese department in the main campus of Assam University, another central university located in Silchar in Barak Valley.

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