Presidency University seeks for Government and Private Assistance

Presidency University, located in Kolkata, is facing the acute shortage of funds. A fund crunched university is scouting for fund flow from various channels. The university is seeking central, state and corporate assistance for development projects. Although the institution presently has no management or technology courses that attract corporate interests. However, the varsity management is hopeful that this can be a long-term investment for companies, as they get the opportunity to nurture talents at one of the oldest educational institutions in India.

Malabika Sarkar, vice-chancellor, has  informed that institution will come out with a ‘development blueprint’ in December. “This includes various infrastructural projects that are being planned. Since the state government is facing financial problems, we are going to submit it (development blueprint) before the Centre and the Planning Commission for assistance.

As mentioned by Business Standard, the funds will be used for funds include upgradation of labs, library, new buildings for departments, renovation and maintenance of the main building and buying high-end technological instruments.

According to Joydip Mukherjee, head of the geology department, to upgrade the university to international standards, we need basic infrastructural requirements like a new guest house and a good auditorium. Departments, too, need high-end instruments. For example, the geology department requires an yearly maintenance cost of about Rs 10 lakh.