Among others, Biswanath College stands out to have been the premier institution that attempts to offer diversity and flexibility to learners through the curriculum-design framed by the University of Gauhati from time to time and in this process the institution is to face certain hurdles vis-à-vis the benefits that it derives from the maximum utilization of the programmes. The institution has been dynamic, no doubt, to make a steady process from its humble beginning with Pre-University and B.A. pass course only to opening of Science faculty coupled with introduction of Honours courses in History and Political science in 1970. In its present state, the institution can boast of offering Major course (Honours course) in as many twelve subjects in both Arts and Science.

The college is to retain Higher Secondary (10 + 2) in accordance with the trend and the norms of the Government of Assam. The H.S. course function as resource generating programme as well as feeder courses.

Of the fifteen subjects taught in the college, Chemistry, Physics, Botany, Zoology, English, Education and Economics are directly career-oriented because they offer opportunity to the students to opt for different professions. Other subjects are also taught with ulterior objective of getting the students well placed. The curriculum is designed with the flexibility to pursue a programme even when there is unavoidable gap of studies on the part of the students.

The college is seldom empowered to open new courses as and when it feels the necessity. So, the students intending to pursue vocational/career-oriented courses do not find opportunity to get them enrolled in the college. Consequently, there is a gradual decline in the number of students, although the present state is not so much a threatening one. Functional English as a vocational subject has been opened with financial assistance from the UGC and efforts have been made to open some more vocational subjects. But the institution is to wait for at least one session for the opening of the subjects. Alternative English course has been started, but the University has not so far arranged for the approval and concurrence of the course.

The syllabi of different programmes are framed by Gauhati University with some college teachers on the committee and as such, the college has no autonomy in designing its own syllabus. So the institution fails to initiate innovative measures to update, redesign and implement the courses that it deems proper for the state and the nation.

A place mostly of rural background, Biswanath Chariali does not offer the opportunity of networking system with industries. Hence, networking system is the need of the hour.

Despite having weaknesses in various fields, the institution has been concentrating on securing for it’s the academic excellence by all means. With this end in view, even with limited number of teachers the institution arranges for special classes during vacations and holidays as and when necessity arises to make the students updated.

Just after the admission in the new session through entrance tests, interviews and academic records etc., the teachers undertake the teaching plan prepared on the basis of the university or council syllabus. Classes are distributed to the individual teachers taking into account their specialization and aptitude. The syllabi are normally covered within the time limit. In case they are not covered, special classes are arranged for making up the deficiencies. The usual lecture method is often supplemented and complemented by interactive method, demonstration, seminars, charts, models, audio-visual methods etc.

      As for the evaluation, although semester system has not been implemented by the university in Degree level so far, the earlier 2 + 1 pattern has been replaced by 1 + 1 + 1 from the current session. In addition to the University and Council examinations, the college holds terminal, test, annual examinations to monitor the academic attainments of the learners. Class tests are also arranged to assess the position of the students. Boards are constituted to declare results on the basis of the performance of the students in the college examinations. Despite constraints of being placed in the rural area having no adequate library facilities other than the single sub-divisional library in the locality, the teachers of almost all the departments of the college take initiatives to enhance their professional competence sometime by their individual efforts and often by the patronage of the college authority. Such instances as the conduct of advance research work to the tune of obtaining Ph.D. and M.Phil. degrees by individual effort in addition to the regular discharge of duties in the college are not scanty. Almost all the teachers are enthusiastic enough to update their professional skill by taking part in orientation programmes and refreshers courses. Some of the teachers have to their credit the reputation of taking part in seminars and conferences in national, international or state level.

Lack of infrastructure facilities and the surrounding yet-to-be-developed background stand on the way of pursuing research work of merit, albeit the teachers are always at work to create an academic environment of their own so as to keep themselves abreast of the recent research works in their respective fields. Absence of P.G. courses and research assignments in undergraduate level deters research work in the college on the part of the students.

The Consultancy cell of the college in its infancy is preparing itself to provide expertise and consultancy in the field of socio-economic development. Meanwhile, one lecturer was deputed to deliver lecture on economic development of Assam in a workshop organized by training and Technology Development Centre, Chariali (A wing of State Institute of Rural Development, Assam). The cell is expected to generate funds through its expertise and consultancy in future.

The Extension Education cell of the college in its prime is trying to extend services in the field of community development, environmental awareness, general health awareness and sanitation, etc.

Since the preparation of the Master Plan of the college, the institution could hardly afford to implement it owing to certain constraints especially of financial inadequacy. The institution has however set up the Science Block in partial fulfillment of the Master Plan and it is trying to secure UGC grants to give final shape to the plan. Despite all these constraints, the college is managing somehow its regular activities of teaching-learning process.

The Library Building is almost self-sufficient with recent installation of computer and Xerox facilities. Laboratory facilities of the college are quite satisfactory to meet the needs of the students as well as the teachers pursuing higher education.

As for game and sports, the college offers opportunities to the students having drive and initiative with a standard playground and other sports equipments.

A computer centre is yet to be started, although at present computer facilities are available in the office, library and in some departments of the college. A UGC aided women’s hostel with an accommodation for 88 students started functioning with effect from 1975. The college-run Boys’ hostel with accommodation for 40 students has to be kept suspended and measures have been taken to construct a new Boys’ hostel with UGC grant received during the 10th plan plus assistance from MP’s local area development fund.

The efforts of the college to provide the necessary assistance to the students are evidenced from the large number of applicants seeking admission to various programmes. The percentage of students appearing for the qualifying examination after the minimum period of study and progression to employment of further study are encouraging, albeit a good number of students leave their studies middle-way on getting certain other avenues, many get plucked in Annual, Test and Part I examinations, and still others get employed before and after Part I examination. So, the remnant appears at the Part II (Final) examination.

Separate list of Alumni attached, vide Appendix – XXII, testifies to the academic excellence attained by the students. Many of the alumni are well-placed and well-established rendering meritorious services to the nation. Their emotional attachment to the institution long after the completion of studies bears testimony to the affectionate treatment they received from their Alma Mater.

Students are made aware of the rule and regulations of the college through the college prospectus. In addition to this, they are exposed to different fields of studies, scholarships available in the institution; facilities for literary pursuits, game and sports, debates and discourses, gymnasium, etc. through active demonstrations and supervisions by the teachers.

In absence of an Employment cell and a Placement Officer, the college has started with a Career Counseling and Guidance cell with a convener to find avenues and to offer career counseling to the students.

The Alumni Association of the college organizes assemblage from time to time to take a stock of the position where the college stands and takes positives measures to make up the deficiencies that the college suffers from.

The college magazine has been an encouraging platform for the students to exhibit their literary, cultural and scientific talents and the magnitude of it may be manifest from its ability to secure the first prize in the Youth Festival organized at the State-Level by Gauhati University. In consonance with this, a half-yearly newsletter entitled “Biswanath College Baartaa” is also being published to enlighten the students and people in general about the achievements of the college. The sale-proceed of the newsletter in likely to embolden the college fund.

The educational excursions and visits to National Parks organized by different departments offer opportunities to the students and the teachers to keep themselves well-informed of the world outside. Apart from the academic gains, it has its impact on the spiritual upliftment of all concerned.

The administrative affairs of the college are mainly looked after by the Principal, who is also the Secretary of the Governing Body. He is advised and guided by the Governing Body in matters of formulations of the policies pertaining to all matters related to the development of the college. During the last two years, almost all the decisions of the Selection Committee/Governing Body have been duly approved by the Governing Body, which bespeaks of the healthy administrative environment of the college. For the smooth functioning of the administration, Internal Quality Assurance cell is there. The cell is empowered with the task of looking into the lacunae and to adopt remedial measures. To enhance the professional acumen, the office staffs are often sent for training to cope with modern trend of work culture.

Since it is a deficit grant-in-aid college, 30% of the fee income can be utilized by the college. With regular aid from the state Government and 70% of the students’ fees, the salary of the teaching and non-teaching staff is met. Development works of the college are done mainly with assistance from the UGC. In addition to this, MP, MLA and individuals extend financial support to the college. Despite all this, the college suffers from acute financial crises with deficit budget almost in every session. As a consequence thereof, the non-sanctioned employees of the college are to be appointed on fixed salary basis and occasionally on contract basis.

As for the organizational aspects, different welfare programmes are given into effect by the various cells existing in the college. The various loan facilities available in the college to the teaching and non-teaching staffs of the college embolden the financial stability of the employees. The non-teaching staff is also assessed along with the teachers by self-appraisal methods as per proforma supplied to them so as to improve their work skill.

Of the healthy practices available in the college, most of them have been discussed under the criteria already inserted. A Value Education cell has been set up to inculcate moral values among the students against the backdrop of moral degradation and decadence witnessed even at the prime of the new century. Through the democratically elected Students’ Union of the college, NSS, NCC, Scout and Guides the students are motivated to cultivate civil responsibility to meet the challenges of time. The all-round developments of the learners are achieved through gymnasiums and sports, literary competitions, debate and discourses, seminars and symposia, etc. which are really commendable. Further steps are being planned to modernize the infrastructure facilities related to physical as well as mental well being of the learners. Conscious of being the premier institution in the area, the college leaves no stone unturned to disseminate the resources it generates among the community members through agencies such as Extension Education cell, Science society, Sahitya Sabha, Literary Forums, Inter-college Debates and Discourses, etc. in collaboration with the local NGOs. The healthy practices are clearly reflected from the annual holding of All Assam Sadananda Chaliha Speech & Najeebur Rahman Memorial Quiz competitions. Participation in the University Youth Festival by the students of the college also highlights the thirst for enlightenment of the students. The college has to its credit the reputation of securing first prize in the All Assam College Magazine contest held during the Youth Festival. The first ever half yearly Newsletter of the college has been published recently amidst enthusiasm and encouragements from all corners. Among others, the recently introduced spoken English course for all the aspiring students of the college and Distance Education course of Gauhati University for intending graduates are worth mentioning. With all these innovative measures, the college is likely to outlast the onslaught of time.