'A BOON FOR THE DISTRICT'

170 years-old Krishnath College is transforming into Murshidabad University which is keeping the college's heritage but bringing modern, globally-linked education to the district.

- Pritha Roy Choudhury

Till 2021, when Krishnath College in Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal was upgraded to Murshidabad University, its graduates had to go to Kalyani or Malda to pursue postgraduate studies. Kalyani is close to 150 km away and Malda, around 125.

"The formation of Murshidabad University (MU) is a boon for the students of Murshidabad district. It was very difficult for them to go to Kalyani or Malda for further education. This was much needed," said Krishna Nandi, teacher of physiology at Murshidabad University. Earlier, for students of Krishnath College and other Murshidabad institutions, the options were the University of Gour Banga in Malda or Kalyani University.

Murshidabad University is yet to recruit any permanent staff. Krishnath College teachers are serving as guest teachers; they will be appointed as permanent staff once the transition is complete. Also, starting operations in 2021 while the covid pandemic was at its peak, it started teaching online almost instantly. The university's offline classes began only in 2023. But now it's hurtling ahead, planning new departments, centres, research programmes - many set to launch this year.

Krishnath college

Established in 1853, Krishnath College, or KN College, was affiliated with Kalyani University until the college was upgraded to a university, the Murshidabad University, by a state law in 2018. However, the change was implemented only in 2021.

For 168 years, the college has taught students of four West Bengal districts, Murshidabad, Nadia, Malda and Birbhum. In its final avatar before the upgrade, it was offering 31 undergraduate programmes and teaching three postgraduate programmes in the arts and science streams.