Siliguri College B.A Review By Malini Das

Siliguri College is established in the year 1950 in the district of Darjeeling. It has accreditation from UGC and NAAC by A grade and affiliated by the University of North Bengal. Currently, this college offers almost 25 courses in different streams like BBA, BCA, B.A (Hons.), BA (pass), B.Sc (Hons), B.Sc (Pass), mass communication, and IT.

The admission process is now available online. Students passed +2 exam can apply for the courses offered. Admission is done consistent with the merit list and the % is variable every year. If any student wants admission in this college he/she should get a minimum of 65% marks in aggregate. For SC/ST the aggregate numbers must be at least 50%. For pass course admission, at least 50% marks should be there and in that case, SC/ST should get an aggregate of 45%.

I have joined Siliguri College in the year 2005 in B.A English Honors. Eligibility for this course was getting above 65% marks in English subject on +2 examination. No entrance exam was there to join the course. I have joined this college because I have heard many good words from my seniors about this college. So when I passed my 12th, I chose this college to get admission in English honors. The course was not simple but relevant to the time and the subjects are good.

The college does not have any such placement wing but the college has a reputation all over North Bengal. Pass students are more inclined to do politics than going to the class. But if you are an honors student you have to attend regular classes. But I have done English Honors that make me professionally competent to get good job.

There are many professional faculties for my course. They are competent to help and guide us in best possible manner. They won’t get irritated when we have doubts over any topic. The teachers are very caring to help us out and clear our doubts. At that time we had 4 permanent professors and other visiting faculties taking our classes on regular basis. There are 50 faculty members in the college teaching in various streams including hons and pass course.

The faculty members are having years of experience in teaching and average experience of teachers in English Department been 13-15 years. They try to help the students with the core of the subject so that students can perform better in exams by just attending regular classes. I do not have any other teacher, I just followed my regular class notes for passing the exam and whenever I faced any problems I straightway asked my teachers and they clarified my doubts in best possible manner. Full-free as well as Half-free studentship are granted to meritorious students and needy students also get scholarship from college considering their financial background. The college can withdraw any type of scholarship if the student is not performing well at studies or conduct any violations regarding scholarship rules. If college dignitaries find any violation of conduct they can entitle withdrawal of scholarship anytime. Students who is having legitimate APL or BPL card are entitled for scholarship if they are needy but meritorious.

Training and placement cell is not there for all the streams. But some of the streams like mass comm. and IT have its own placement cell and many of my friends from these streams got placed in leading companies on-campus interview. Though I was in BA English Honors this course helped me a lot to get placed and build my career as a professional content writer.

The highest package was Rs. 2.80 lacs in that year and provided by Cisco. Average package was Rs. 2.40 lacs. Many of my friends in the English department have got government jobs as well.

This college has two hostels for boys and girls separately. 60 boarders can be there in boys hostels. Whereas in the girls' hostel there can be 48 boarders. The hostels are governed by the college management and each hostel has superintendents. If any students want to avail hostel facility they have to talk with the admission officer while taking admission and if the seat is available then it will be allotted.

Total hostel fees per year are not as much as other colleges. It is quite low but the food of the canteen is very good as well as the rate is also reasonable. The quality of the food is also good. But the menu should be more varied. Hostel security is very good as all the disciplines within the hostels are governed by hostel supers. Separate hostels are having separate common rooms for students recreation.

The college is big enough and it has a sports ground within the premises. There are almost 40 classrooms in this building and many rooms are under construction for further expansion. The college is also having banking facilities within the premises. The library of the college is having different text books along with reference books over 70000 volumes. The library block is in first two floors and wi-fi enabled.

The science laboratory is also well equipped and advanced. The auditorium is also spacious for arranging events like teachers days and others. The college canteen is running from beginning. The canteen is the place where most of the students find recreation while having different types of snacks in reasonable price. Medical facility is also available within the premises of the college.

We are having NSS group that celebrates Independence Day march, republic day march worth watching and enjoying. In this college annual sports event and annual fest are arranged by college management. Apart from this every department arranges fresher’s welcome party. Overall campus life is worth enjoying while studying undergraduate course from this college.

Different quiz clubs, debate teams and other recreation teams are there who not only participate in intercollegiate competitions but also represent the college in states outside. Group learning is also encouraged by the teachers. If you want to get good marks then you have to study hard. Otherwise you may pass the exam but the marks will not be up to the expectation. Most of the pass students just appear for the exam while interested in doing politics over the year.