Assam Government to Establish Regional Centre for KKHSOU in Barak Valley

New Regional Centre Announcement

Silchar, August 11: In a significant advancement for higher education in the Barak Valley, the Assam government has decided to allocate land for the creation of a regional centre for the Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU).

This announcement was made during a recent visit by university officials to Silchar and Hailakandi on Sunday.

While speaking to the press at Women’s College, Silchar, Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajendra Prasad Das emphasized the importance of this initiative in enhancing access to higher education.

“KKHSOU plays a crucial role, contributing 11% to Assam’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), which is currently at 18%. Our goal aligns with India’s target of achieving 50% by 2035, and we are committed to helping Assam reach this objective,” Prof. Das remarked, highlighting the university's support for students who cannot attend conventional campuses.

The Vice Chancellor noted that KKHSOU operates 338 centres, which include 30 located in district jails and 307 in provincialised colleges.

“With the acquisition of this new land, discussions are ongoing, and our presence in the Barak Valley will expand significantly,” he added.

Prof. Das also reiterated the university’s commitment to maintaining academic integrity.

“Upon my appointment in 2022, the government raised concerns about widespread cheating during exams. We initiated a comprehensive campaign to address this issue. Although it hasn't been completely eliminated, there has been a notable reduction. Students found cheating may face legal consequences. KKHSOU welcomes all students, except those who engage in dishonesty,” he stated.

Dean (Study Centre) Prof. Pranab Saikia underscored the university's credentials and its wide array of programs.

“We are a government-recognized university by the UGC and accredited by NAAC. We are also in the process of obtaining recognition as a skill institute from NCVET. The state government is investing in upgrading our facilities. Currently, we have 1.9 lakh active learners enrolled in 50 programs, including certificate, diploma, and PhD courses,” he mentioned, adding that the quality of examinations has significantly improved since 2018, with further reforms being implemented under NEP 2020.

In response to a question from the press, Dr. Santanu Das, Vice Principal of Women’s College, Silchar, and coordinator of the study centre, indicated that qualified educators could be recruited for counseling sessions.

The media event also featured Amar Ghosh, Regional Director of KKHSOU’s Silchar Regional Centre, and Pankaj Kanti Malakar, an Assistant Professor at the university.