A couple of weeks back when I was in Kishanganj, I came to know about the fact that the enrolment of local students specifically from the town in M.B.A. and B.Ed courses is zero (nil). When I enquired further and went into the details, I knew that there is only one (1) student in M.B.A. from this locality. Since, I belong to Kishanganj the fact was quite surprising and shocking at first instance for me. I felt very bad and thought suddenly struck my mind ‘What is the benefit of having AMU at doorstep’? In fact, the emotions and attachment of being the resident of Kishanganj and Seemanchal overpowered my conscience and somehow I became prejudiced. But, when I started to think deeply than I came to a conclusion that AMU is an institution of national importance as per the Constitution of India, and holding 2nd position among the universities of the country. The admission in various courses / programmes of AMU are done through rigorous selection process including the entrance tests conducted at several centres in Aligarh and other parts of the country. Even, I got admission in Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism (MJMC) way back in 2003 after cracking the entrance test.
Presently, the admission in MBA and B.Ed. courses of AMU Kishanganj Centre happens through the combined entrance test conducted by the University for the main campus at Aligarh, Mallapuram (Kerala), Murshidabad (West Bengal) and Kishanganj (Bihar). Based on the preference and ranking of the candidates the admission is allowed for M.B.A. and B.Ed. courses offered at AMU Kishanganj Centre. Since the entrance test by AMU is conducted at national level hence it’s obvious that the locals fail to qualify for the two courses offered at Kishanganj. Another reason I find is that the local students perhaps consider AMU Kishanganj as ‘Ghar ki Murgi Dal Barabar’ (Self possessions are always undermined) and don’t give much attention to crack the entrance test for B.Ed. and M.B.A. In our region, it’s a common trend that after doing graduation from different subjects / backgrounds usually the youths and their parents / guardians prefer the private colleges / institutions for M.B.A situated in Delhi & NCR (mostly in Greater Noida), Hyderabad, Bengaluru and other cities of India. Both above mentioned facts are the prime reasons behind the poor representation (enrollment) of local students from Purnea division and other parts of Seemanchal at AMU Kishanganj Centre.
I think at this juncture, we should not feel dejected or express any anguish over the fact that almost negligible representation of local students in MBA and B.Ed. courses in AMU Kishanganj Centre. Instead, we need to spread awareness among the youths / candidates aspiring for doing MBA or B.Ed. from the special centre of AMU. At this moment it may seem a daunting task for spreading awareness but it can be done at least among the relatives and neighbours around your house or society. At the same time the mode question paper of MBA and B.Ed. courses may be given to those planning for appearing in the entrance tests of AMU. Also, the senior Aligs who have already done MBA and B.Ed. courses from AMU may voluntarily contribute for the cause.
It should be noted that the Admission test dates of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has been declared by the Controller of Examinations (COE) for the courses offered in Aligarh and three special centres at Kishanganj (Bihar), Mallapuram (Kerala) and Murshidabad (West Bengal). The list also includes the B.Ed. and M.B.A. courses being offered at AMU Kishanganj Centre, which is scheduled on 07.05.2017 at 4:00 PM and 10:00 AM respectively. Hence, it’s around five months in our hands to create awareness among the youths of the area to prepare themselves for M.B.A and B.Ed. courses offered at AMU Kishanganj.
Before signing off, let me share the fact that with the start of special centre of prestigious Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Kishanganj a big hope arose in the people of region to get the good quality education at their doorsteps. Especially the residents of Kishanganj district were quite elated over the proposal of establishment of AMU Centre, which started functioning from November 2013 with one year B.Ed programme. The following year in 2014, the MBA course was also started at the special centre of AMU. Presently the AMU Centre is offering two courses namely MBA and B.Ed. from the temporary premises at Halim Chowk near Khagra, Kishanganj. Although the Centre has not received the initial grant of Rs. 136 crore as declared by the Union government way back in 2015, but the academic activities are going on with limited resources / fund provided from AMU.
However, based on the request of AMU Vice-Chancellor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah, last year in December 2015 – January 2016 the Kishanganj Centre received a token grant of Rs. 10 crore. The amount is being used for routine works and day-to-day functioning of the AMU Kishanganj Centre. On the other hand, the boundary wall is constructed in most of the portion of 224.02 acres permanent campus of AMU near Chakla Village, situated at the outskirts of Kishanganj district headquarter. It’s the duty of Aligs, educationists, social activists of the Seemanchal region to spread awareness about the AMU Kishanganj Centre as much as possible in order to fulfil the dream of making the region educationally accomplished.
