Tushita Basak's Review On Jadavpur University - [JU], Kolkata

With zero tuition fees and Rs. 710 only charged for admission, Jadavpur University provides quality education at the lowest fee possible. The low fee structure is what drove me to take admission in this college. Apart from that, the university has a rich legacy spanning over six decades. The ambience in JU stimulates growth in all aspects by providing least restrictions in students activities. The students are free to participate in politics inside the campus, take part in social work under the university banner, and are also free to voice their distress regarding actions or inactions of the presiding administrative body. It truly is a university of the students, for the students and by the students. I opted for Architecture because the subject demands creativity over rote learning.

The course syllabus follows a system of learning from historical examples instead of focusing on the upcoming technological advancements. More attention is given to hand-drafting sheets than using softwares for the same. Hence, the course syllabus feels a little outdated. Industrial exposure is provided only in the 4th year as a six-month long internship. Other than that, students in the architecture department do not even get placement opportunities. The faculty includes highly qualified members. All of them are literally storehouses of knowledge. Prof. Mainak Ghosh is definitely one of them.

I have not applied for an internship yet but the process as thus. You just need to send in your personal portfolio to the respective firm. If a professor or alumni associated with the firm refers you to the company, chances of bagging the internship increases manifold. The stipend amount varies from Rs. 10, 000 to Rs. 12, 000 monthly.

No placements are offered to architecture students from college. Jobs are secured mostly as individual efforts of the students. Alumni networking in the college is very efficient. Alumni often take in their juniors in the firms they are working in. Abin Chaudhuri is a notable alumni from my department. The entrepreneur cell organises events and workshops to develop an Entrepeneurial culture among the students. They impart training in the sphere of investment through virtual stock markets. The Hult Prize comes to the campus every year.

Each of the academic streams, humanities, engineering and the sciences, hold their respective cultural fests. These are a week long fests, with over 15, 000 students participating in over 25 different extracurricular activities. On cultural nights, performing artists are invited. Sanskriti the cultural fest organised by the engineering department and Srijan is the technical fest. Apart from that, each department has their own annual events. Each club organises their respective fests and exhibitions. Throught the year, workshops are held by organisations on topics like ethical hacking, coding, etc. which at times are free of cost or can be availed by paying a small fee. U-turn is the main sports event. Only freshers can participate in the event. Those who play well get selected in the college team.

The university does not have a state-of-the-art-studio. Students can avail free campus wi-fi with no usage limitation. There is a humongous central library with separate department libraries but malfunctioning computers. Laboratories are not equipped with latest technological tools. Overall, the infrastructure is not very advanced or glamourous.

Each hostel room accomodates 3-4 members. Rooms are not very spacious with no air conditioning facility. Compared to the number of students in the university, the number of hostel seats are very few. Only 3-4 students from a batch of 40 can get accomodation in the hostel. Also, accomodation is provided on the basis of family income. Those from low family income groups are priortised for hostel accomodation. Rental houses charge Rs. 5000-Rs. 7000 per month, excluding food expenses. There are plenty of PGs around the area.