E. P - How would you rate Assam University as a Central university?

T. B - It has been a fifteen year journey for Assam University and as the saying by the famous literary thinker Michael Bakhtin goes, ‘We are the participant observers’. We are the observers of the drama of the existence unfolded through this University while we are participating in its growth. I would definitely agree that along with me, others who were at the birth of the University have noticed that the University has achieved a notable maturity level after a relentless process of struggle.

According to a recent study only Assam University of the North East region besides North Eastern Hill University ranks amongst the top 50 Universities out of over 500 Indian Universities. Assam University also ranks 7th in another survey conducted by the prestigious Association of Indian Universities in scientific research area which is a big achievement.

E.P - In what ways is Assam University contributing towards the socio-economic development of the region?

T. B - Being someone born and brought up in this region, I personally know of the aspirations of the people and their great expectations. A noticeable percentage of our well qualified faculty strength numbering more than 300 as well as nearly 300 non-teaching staff come from this region. Of course the University is an academic institution of a very high order but then for very many reasons it is dependent on the society around.

If we look at the villages of Dargakona and Irongmara we can observe that people of these villages in great number are participating in extensive construction activities. These local laborers are working at length in the University construction areas and are dependent on the University for their daily bread and butter. Most importantly, due to lack of adequate accommodation, every year many students and teachers of the University reside in the vicinities of Durgakona and Irongmara. This has now almost become a township. This is an indication that the University is going a long way in contributing to the all round socio-economic development of the region. Hence, the people around now have a cultural and academic standard and if I am allowed to say so, a new standard for being human as well and this new standard has been created albeit silently by this University.

E. P - What is your contribution and concern for the people of Barak Valley?

T. B - What I have stated just now encompasses the very spirit of the question you have just asked. I think prudence does not allow me to be very eloquent here but then I would definitely claim that my concern for the all round development of the people of this region is enormous. If I talk about my own experience at different universities like Gauhati University, North Bengal University, Burdawan University and Delhi University, I have my own notion about what is a true university. My only concern is that a university should not be a university for name only. It is not the fault of the people around for not being fully aware of what a university really means and what it really connotes. It is not only the duty of the Vice Chancellor but also of each member of the university community to exhibit, to show, to prove to the people around what a university really means. So my concern is for the people to understand the meaning of the university. Unfortunately there are some gaps in understanding due to some unavoidable problems and perhaps it will take some time for the dust to settle. It is a very peculiar struggle which is not always rewarding as well.

E. P - What are the efforts that have been made for infrastructural development of the University under your leadership?

T. B - A leader is nothing without his team. I am just leading a team. I do not know whether I will be called a leader or so. I have been distinctly lucky to get a good amount of support from the UGC and MHRD with regards to the 11th plan allocation as well as special OBC fund which has been made, of course in a time bound manner, for capacity expansion so that we can help the Other Backward Classes of the country. We have got Rs. 71 crores for the development plan from the OBC fund and another Rs. 70 crore for the general development. Well a substantial portion goes to infrastructural development. As many as 21 buildings of different descriptions are coming up. I think everybody would have to admit that it is an enormous task and it is a very big challenge. Some of the completed buildings are in use now and within another 6 months to one year, all other ongoing buildings / projects will be operational.

The MBA building will be the first four storey building with the facility of an elevator. Almost all the departments of the university are now having their own permanent buildings except for the department of Philosophy as well as the newly added department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. These departments will be allotted accommodation later. I remember the very words of Neil Armstrong when he landed on the surface of the moon. He said, it may be a very small step for a man but it is a giant leap for mankind. So, I would definitely claim that what has been happening in the university for the last two years is ended a giant leap for the university. But I know the sky is the limit and we are not going to be complacent. This major infrastructural lift which this university is now witnessing is undoubtedly historical.

E. P - What are the measures you have taken for academic growth of the university?

T. B - Academic growth is also an integral part of development along with infrastructural development. Life Science department, Fine Arts, Bengali and Ecology departments are enjoying special assistance i.e. SAP from the UGC which are the indicators of academic growth. We are currently having three more advance centres and this is for the first time, the Bengali department, department of Ecology and the Department of Chemistry have got three centres. We have already applied to the UGC for being considered as a ‘Centre of Excellence’. There is also a separate submission for the department of Bengali so that they can substantially grow with academic brilliance. A tremendous growth rate with regard to research work has been noticed as the number of research scholars has increased upto 850 in the last 2 years.

E. P - Which achievements of your tenure would you like to highlight?

T. B - Some of them I have already mentioned but perhaps I think I can refer to some more awards and patents which of course belong to our science faculty. This is for the first time we have won this accolade. Several teachers and, in some cases, researchers, are going abroad to very important foreign universities. I would definitely mention them as the great indicators of our academic excellence.

E. P - What measures have you taken for quality teaching in Assam University?

T. B - What we have already established and is functioning very vibrantly is the body named IQAC (Internal Quality Assurance Cell). Different Programmes are undertaken by the IQAC every month. Sometimes in a single month, we assemble more than on one occasion for either science or for the humanities to listen to learned discourses from different experts from different parts of the country. However, when it comes to quality teaching, it all depends on us. Now since we have more than 300 teachers, more than 800 research scholars and the support of IQAC, we are growing with more speed from here towards quality teaching. We have introduced the CBCS (Choice Based Credit System) system from this July semester at the P.G level and later it will be introduced in the affiliated colleges as well. This would add a new dimension to our education system. Our university happens to be one of the few universities in the entire country providing laptop facility for each member of the faculty at the time of their joining. These have definitely encouraged young members of the faculty. I would like to quote from a great philosopher who said, “The inward journey is the longest in the journey and that journey has now begun”. We are very successfully collecting students’ feedback to which they are responding enthusiastically. Our university has also introduced the process of modernising through total computerization of the system. We have begun with the Controller of Examination because this is the most vital section and definitely this would encompass all our academic departments within the campus area network which will be completed perhaps within 3 months. And then the introduction of Information Communication Technology (ICT) will be more pronounced. Already, the department of Life Science, through its centre of Bio - informatics has introduced the facility of video - conferencing and shortly we plan to introduce it in some other sectors as well. The introduction of semester system to the affiliated colleges is in process. As the saying goes, ‘Rome was not built in a day’, so we have started, initiated the process and all of this speaks of our relentless endeavour to take our University to a new height of academic excellence.
E. P - In what kind of extension and out reach activities is the University involved in?
T. B - I was present in at least two or three occasions when the Mass Communication department invited me to participate in their outreach activities. Similarly, the Social Work department, Ecology and Life Science Department are also actively involved. The Ecology and Life Science Department did arrange three to four workshops with the fishing community of this locality and that is a clear indication that this University is not elitist in nature. This is for common people as well. After all, if your good things do not percolate to the society around you, then it is not a university worth its name. So through these outreach activities we have already adopted two villages where more than one department will participate to turn the village into a model village. All these steps show our concern for the society.
E. P - Has Assam University taken any step towards University corporate building?
T. B - Yes it has and I am very happy to inform that shortly we will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding with a nearby tea garden company. This is for the first time that a proposal is under way for the construction of a hostel for 200 boys and girls. I think this will be the foundation for many other accomplishments. Recently, a society has been constituted to look after and supervise the outreach programs of the University through this public - private partnership. If everything goes fine, then very soon, several other things will follow. The MHRD has already offered to establish a central medical college cum hospital. The processing has started as we have submitted the DPR to the UGC and MHRD. We have already offered to allot 50 acres of our land for the project. This will have a tremendous impact on the society around. It will be unprecedented. Let us hope, let us keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best and if it comes along then within ten to fifteen years this University is going to be a hub of activities where the public private partnership will grow even stronger.
E. P - Is there any plan of signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among Northeastern Central universities?
T. B - Well I have just returned from a very important meet of the Vice - Chancellors of the Central Universities and now we are seriously discussing a matter of policy enunciated by the ministry of HRD to develop an understanding among the universities in the vicinity. Yes! We have already signed MOUs with some universities, some are not signed but we will try to do so. I would also like to inform you that I have been selected to participate in the India – UK higher education Leadership development programme to be held in London, UK from the 5th of September to the 10th of September, 2010. Fifteen Vice - Chancellors of our country will participate with an equal number of Vice - Chancellors from the UK. Our intention is to explore and reach out internationally to develop standard. So it will not only be regional, it will be national and international as well.
E. P - What kind of benefits is the University expecting from the Vice-Chancellors’ meet?
T. B - This Vice Chancellors’ meet is not only a forum for the Vice - Chancellors but is also a policy making meet because the officials from UGC and MHRD are participating as well. Some issues that are to be discussed are typically regional but have national importance. However, what we will be emphasizing upon as we have done already earlier is that we should be given preferential treatment because nobody can deny the fact that we belong to the North East. We start as an ‘underdog’ as they say in cricket, almost like the Zimbabwean team in International Cricket.
E. P - What would you like to do for further development of the University?
T. B - I have thousands of plans but let me be philosophical. If I could live a hundred years, I could have done something for my dear University. Well! One lifetime is not sufficient enough. I have many plans, many dreams, many aspirations, but I don’t know whether these will be translated into reality. But what I like is that we are now amongst the top 50 universities and it is my first challenge to be among the first 25. And if we all stick and try together, it will not be impossible. The UGC will be sending its team at the end of this year for assessment of our achievements in the 11th Plan. The first step to prepare for the 12th Plan has already been taken. I would like to quote from my favourite poet, Robert Frost, ‘Miles to go before I sleep, we have promises to keep’.