Cotton University

Last updated

Cotton University
Cotton University logo.png
MottoApramattena Veddhavyam
Motto in English
Knowledge in any field
Type Public state university
Established
  • 1901;123 years ago (1901) (as Cotton College)
  • 2017;7 years ago (2017) (as Cotton University)
Founder Sir Henry Stedman Cotton
Chancellor Governor of Assam
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ramesh Ch. Deka [1]
Location, ,
26°11′12″N91°44′51″E / 26.1868°N 91.7476°E / 26.1868; 91.7476
Campus urban
Colors Orange, Blue, Green    
Affiliations UGC
Website cottonuniversity.ac.in

Cotton University (formerly known as Cotton College) is a public state university located in Guwahati, Assam, India. It was established in 2017 by the provisions of an Act from the Assam Legislative Assembly which merged Cotton College State University and Cotton College. The university has progressed to become one of the top 200 institutions of the country (appearing on the list of 150–200 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework rank list in May 2020). [2] However, as of 2024, Cotton University is ranked 373rd in the NIRF, whereas Gauhati University holds a commendable 40th position in the same ranking. [3] [4]

Contents

Cotton College was established in 1901 by Sir Henry Stedman Cotton, chief commissioner of the former British province of Assam. It was the oldest institute of higher education in Assam and all of Northeast India. [5] Cotton College became a constituent college of Gauhati University in 1948, and then of Cotton College State University when it was established in 2011, by an Act (Act XIX of 2011) of the Assam Government. The Cotton University Act, 2017, was enacted to resolve problems between the college and the university. [6]

Accreditation

A 2002 stamp dedicated to Cotton University Cotton College Guwahati 2002 stamp of India.jpg
A 2002 stamp dedicated to Cotton University

Cotton University, then Cotton College, was accredited with an "A++" grade and a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.76 on a four-point scale by the 18th SC Executive Committee of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) on November 5, 2016, reflecting high institutional quality. [7] As of September 6, 2024, the university's accreditation status was revised to an "A" grade with a CGPA of 3.05 on a seven-point scale. [8]

History

Main structure of the University Cotton College , Guwahati , Assam, India.jpg
Main structure of the University

In 1899 Manick Chandra wrote to the British government asking to open a college in Guwahati, in so far as Assam was the only province with no college and that Guwahati was the most convenient location. In response, Sir Henry Stedman Cotton, K.C.S.I., then the Chief Commissioner of Assam, announced on 3 November 1899 that a college would be opened in Guwahati. Cotton College, named by the public, was inaugurated on 27 May 1901 by Cotton himself. Before 1948, It was affiliated with Calcutta University [9] and began with five professors which included Frederick William Sudmerson, the first principal of the college, and 39 students.

The college was the centre of the freedom movement as well as literary and cultural movements of the state, which aimed to build Assam's identity as a distinct, integral component of India. When Gauhati University was established in 1948, Cotton College became affiliated with it as a constituent college. [10] In 2015, the college was declared a Special Heritage College. [9]

On 16 October 1992, the college was named as a center of excellence, [11] an occasion celebrated in a solemn ceremony with Shankar Dayal Sharma, then President of India, and it officially became a post-graduate college. [10]

Cotton College State University

First Block of Cotton College FIRST BLOCK OF COTTON COLLEGE.jpg
First Block of Cotton College

Cotton College State University was created through an Act of the Government of Assam (Act XIX of 2011). This act received the assent of the Governor of Assam on 3 September 2011, published in the Assam Gazette on 5 September 2011. The Cotton College became its constituent college. [12]

The election for the university's first Academic Council and University Court was held on 22 February 2013 with three and five members elected respectively. [13]

Cotton University

Over time, conflicts emerged between the university and the college chiefly over the custody of properties. The Assam Legislative Assembly passed an amendment in 2015 that the university and the college be run as separate institutes. [14] The bill, called The Cotton University Act 2017, was passed by the Assam Legislative Assembly on 2 March 2017 in order to resolve these problems. [6] By this act, the university and college would be completely merged. [14] Upon enforcement, the university was renamed Cotton University. [15] By ordinance, the governor of Assam, Banwarilal Purohit became chancellor, who then appointed Bhabesh Chandra Goswami as the first vice chancellor in July 2017. [16]

Campus

A structure at Cotton University Assam Cotton College.jpg
A structure at Cotton University

Cotton University's campus spans 39.82 acres in Panbazar, Guwahati, an area known for its bustling streets and key landmarks, including the BSNL office, Reserve Bank of India, High Court, and Handique Girls College. The Dighalipukhuri bus stop, situated nearby, connects to several key townships, contributing to the area's vibrant atmosphere. [17]

Academics

Academic programmes

HSSLC

In keeping with the former Cotton College's traditions, courses leading to Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate are possible in the Arts and Science streams. This qualification is awarded upon successful completion of two years of study followed by relevant examinations under the Assam Higher Secondary Educational Council.[ citation needed ]

Bachelors degrees

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Computer Application, Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Mass Communication and Journalism and Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biotechnology graduate degrees are offered. The degrees are awarded upon successful completion of three years of study followed by relevant examinations under Cotton University.[ citation needed ]

Masters degrees

Postgraduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Law, Master in Computer Application and Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are offered. The degrees are awarded upon successful completion of two years of study followed by relevant examinations under Cotton University.[ citation needed ]

Doctoral programme

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is offered in all postgraduate departments. Admission opens annually in June/July.[ citation needed ]

Admission

Higher Secondary

Cotton University (CU) has released tentative cut-off marks for higher secondary admissions, with 87% for the science stream and 84% for the arts stream. The cut-offs may vary depending on the number of applicants. There are 180 seats in the arts stream and 320 in the science stream. Applicants must complete the application process on both the DARPAN and Cotton University websites. Admissions will be based on a merit list from the candidates' qualifying exam results, followed by counselling and seat allocation. [18]

Undergraduate Courses

Cotton University allocates 40 percent of undergraduate seats across all departments to candidates who have taken the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). The remaining 60 percent of seats will be filled based on academic performance. According to Academic Registrar Bedanta Bora, priority will be given to CUET candidates. [19]

Chemistry recorded the highest cut-off percentage among all BSc major courses, with the general category cut-off at 90.66%, followed by physics at 89.33% and zoology at 87.66%. The cut-off for mathematics was 87.33%, while botany had a cut-off of 85.33%. [20]

Postgraduate Courses

Cotton University reserves 50 percent of seats in each postgraduate course for its own graduates, based on their CGPA results, subject to certain conditions. The remaining 50 percent, designated as 'Open Category' seats, are available to graduates with honors or majors in the relevant or related disciplines from recognized universities. Admission to the 'Open Category' seats will be based on performance in the Cotton PG Entrance Examination (CPGEE). In some subjects, all seats, including those reserved for CU graduates, will be filled through CPGEE. The CPGEE comprises 50 questions, with each question carrying a weight of 4 marks. There is also a negative marking system in place, where 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer. [21]

PhD Courses

The Candidates applying for the PhD program must have 55% marks (50% for SC/ST) in a Master’s degree from a University Grants Commission-recognized university. Admission requires qualifying the National Eligibility Test or the university’s entrance examination, followed by a viva voce and counselling session. Selected students must complete coursework, including three 4-credit and one 2-credit courses. After passing the coursework, candidates are provisionally registered and must apply for final registration within 18-24 months. The PhD registration is valid for five years, with a possible extension of up to seven years under special circumstances. [22]

Notable alumni and faculty

Noted alumni

Noted faculty

List of principals

The institute had 50 principals from 1901 till 2012. [26]

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References

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