Centralized UG admission portal may open by Tue or Wed: Bratya
Times of India | 16 June 2024
Kolkata: Education minister Bratya Basu said that the centralized UG admission portal will open mid next week, either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Basu made the statement on Saturday while interacting with reporters at the sidelines of a career education fair at Netaji Indoor Stadium.
“The portal will open by Tuesday or Wednesday. We are having last-leg discussions with chief minister Mamata Banerjee and I am hopeful that we will receive the green signal soon.After that, the centralized admission portal for UG students will open,” said Basu.
Sources said there was a virtual meeting held on Saturday between the higher education department and college representatives about the modalities of the centralized portal. Colleges have been told the window will be live for 14 days and there will be helpdesks in colleges as the system is new.
However, the delay in opening of the portal raised concerns among college principals as they feel that a large number of seats will remain vacant this year too. Surendranath College principal Indranil Kar said, “The delay could impact on filling up UG seats this year also.”
Another college principal who did not want to be named feels that the delay in opening the portal will result in loss of meritorious students. “There are colleges and universities which have already started their admission process. The students will opt for those institutions whose process is live and we will lose out on meritorious students due to the delay,” the principal said.
Some college principals said they were receiving queries from students as the delay is causing uncertainty among many and are hopeful that the new system will run smoothly as a lot of hard work is being invested to launch the centralized portal. Asutosh College principal Manas Kabi said, “We have been receiving queries from students since the board results are out. The higher education department is trying hard to open the admission portal very soon and they are in touch with all the colleges. So, we hope the new system will run smoothly after it starts functioning.”
Lady Brabourne College principal Siuli Sarkar said, “We are concerned for the students as time is short to prepare for the exams. After implementing a four-year degree programme, students have to study several courses along with major and minor subjects.”
HS pass-out Swapnendu Bhattacharya said, “I want to study economics but I cannot afford a private college. So, I have no option but to wait until the portal opens. I am concerned whether I could complete the syllabus within six months.”