PANCHMURA MAHAVIDYALAYA

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT

Knowledge liberates the mind and only a society that is able to devise methods and strategies to propagate knowledge and educate its every single member, can hope to provide its present and future generations an environment of growth, dignity, respect and constructive development. Envisioned as an enduring centre of learning, Panchmura Mahavidyalaya, established in 1965 in a rural area under Taldangra Block which has more than one-third of its population belonging to poor SC and ST families and is one of the most backward blocks of the country, started its journey to enlighten the underprivileged youths of the district of Bankura.

Since, its inception the institution has been successful in providing higher education to more than two-third of the local graduates who hail from the families of SC, ST, marginal farmers and land labourers.

There is widespread knowledge everywhere with newer technologies, skills and avenues emerging, Panchmura Mahavidyalaya also has expanded the number of courses and programmes to cope with the new horizons of professional activities and to enable the younger generations to uncap their talents and scale greater heights of achievement. It offers state of the art infrastructure including smart classrooms, a good library, laboratories, computers, internet and other facilities required for higher education in this modern era.

The structure of our courses is learner-centric and has flexibility whereby the students have more choice to opt for disciplines of their choice. Realizing that the learning levels of different students differ, we offer remedial courses for those who need extra help. To ensure that no student fails or is left behind, our institution also offers greater flexibility in terms of time.

The institution emphasizes imparting value-based education to its students in an encouraging environment and pays equal attention to their all-round development to make them sensible and responsible citizens. The college also provides them with ample opportunities to express their inner literary creativity, artistic talents as well as sportsmanship.

Higher Education Institutions in contemporary times need to realize the pressing need of their social responsibility and accountability that may be achieved only through reaching out and extending interaction with local community, addressing local problems, carrying out research to develop the local community, improve industrial productivity and environmental consciousness. Panchmura Mahavidyalaya ensures that most of its departments, NCC and NSS units undertake extensive extension activities in the locality. It encourages its teaching faculties to undertake research projects that may help in improving life of the local people through preserving and exploring natural resources, their heritage and culture.

I wish Panchmura, world famous for its Terracotta Craft and Baluchari Sarees, will one day become more famous than ever before for its premier educational institute, Panchmura Mahavidyalaya.

Established in the year 1965 amidst a lush green vegetation of saal and segun, Panchmura Mahavidyalaya is the first rural degree College and third degree College in Bankura. Youths of southern Bankura hailing from the families of farmers, marginal farmers, land labourers and majority of whom fall under SC, ST, OBC and minority categories folk to the college for higher education. In the beginning, more than sixty percent students were first generation learners. Therefore, the presumed vision of Panchmura Mahavidyalaya was “to offer quality and contemporary higher education to the youths of the locality and beyond in order to participate in nation building through human resource development of the community”.

Though situated far from the state capital Kolkata and 45 km away from the district town of Bankura, Panchmura Mahavidyalaya has been considered as ‘one of the best rural colleges in India’ by the NAAC Peer Team in its visit in 2016 for assessment and accreditation in second cycle. Experienced, energetic and sincere teachers are ever anxious for the benefit of their students. They blend traditional teaching methodology with the up to date world class technology enabled methods and equipment for delivering high quality lessons. Inter-active teaching methods using media-centre and ICT has become the norm of under graduate classes at Panchmura Mahavidyalaya. Since a considerable percentage of students are first generation learners with poor financial back ground, the college authority ensures that hard earned money of their guardians are properly utilised to help them fulfil dreams of quality higher education of their wards. Therefore, modular curricula through detailed departmental teaching, monitoring of students’ performance in attaining course objective by conducting unit tests and test examinations, collection and review of progress report sheets and mentoring of students by departmental teachers are all aimed at students’ progression.

A big library with more than twenty-six thousand books cater to the needs of its students. In a sprawling reading hall students not only study peacefully but can browse on the internet for valuable information and knowledge. Through book banking system poor students get immensely benefited as they can borrow essential books for whole of the year. Computer centres with internet to all the desktop machines help student devote valuable time in study. The institution provides ample avenues for personality grooming of the students through National Service Scheme and National Cadet Cops. Cultural activity and many programmes are organised to encourage art and creativity among the students. Quiz, debate, seminar, etc are organised by the departments and students’ union that help the students compete successfully in university and competitive examinations. Career development cell organises workshop, training programme to make the students fit for getting employment.

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have many promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep”...

The institution started its sacred journey by offering general undergraduate degree courses in seven subjects of Arts and humanities at the beginning with the affiliation of the University of Burdwan. It is now affiliated to Bankura University and adopted Choice Based Credit System for offering courses and programmes. Dissemination of knowledge is a continuous process and never being adequate: to keep pace with the ever changing socio-economical conditions and demand of the youths Panchmura Mahavidyalaya is offering general and honours courses in new subjects time to time. Focuses has been given to open new courses in arts and science. Opening of post graduate courses in Bengali, History and Mathematics is also in the pipeline. Ultimate objective of Panchmura Mahavidyalaya remains to offer quality higher education where all the state holders play their respective pivotal roles. Due to its favourable location, in addition to the youths of southern Bankura, youths from some pockets of Purulia and Medinipur used to folk to the institution for fulfilling their dreams of higher education.

LOCATION

Far from the maddening crowds’ ignoble strife, there bacons Panchmura Mahavidyalaya, the abode of learning. Surrounded by serene green vegetation of saal and segun and situated 2 km away from Panchmura Bazar on the top of a small ‘tila’ the college provides ideal environment for teaching and learning. The College is well connected with the district town Bankura and temple town Bishnupur through metal roads. All buses plying on the Taldangra-Panchmura-Bankadah State Highway pass through the college’s main gate since morning to evening for the benefit of students, teachers and staff. Though most of the people in the locality are economically poor but they nourish a rich heritage and culture. In addition to terracotta, the place is famous for weaving one of the best quality Baluchori saree and folk dances like Vadu-tusu and Kathi-naach.

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