Jadavpur University M.A Review By Srijoni

I started studying at the Department of English of Jadavpur University back in 2015 and passed out in 2020 after completing both my Bachelor's and Master's degree from there. I had a good score in class 12th but it did not go a long way in a world full of people who scored above 95%. As a consequence, I could not get into any of the 'elite' colleges of the city. But this university came to my rescue. The admission here was based almost completely on entrance tests. I cleared the entrance test and then there was no looking back.

The Department of English at JU was the first in India to get the prestigious status of 'Centre for Advanced Studies'. All the departments teach in an interdisciplinary manner keeping in mind the present socio-political context of not only India but also the world, at large. As a result, the students are not only adept at their own fields of study, but they also receive a thorough grounding in most of the others. This department of English offers a course called 'Dissertation Writing' in the Master's degree to prepare students for research. JU has been known for its academic brilliance and that is not limited only to the department of English. Research papers contributing to various fields of study are published extensively all throughout the year from all departments. Moreover, the pass outs of this university often go ahead for further academic purposes to prestigious institutions such as Oxford and Harvard.

There are professors who have traveled the world far and wide, as they saying. In my department the specialisation of my professors ranges from Old and Middle English Literature to Post-colonial Literature. There is flexibility in the appointment of professors for the courses at all the departments. Whenever it is thought that a particular topic would be best taught by someone outside of the university, they are invited to teach, to ensure that the students receive only the best. Most of the professors are approachable and try their best to help the students in every manner possible.

JU has good placements for the Engineering faculties. Although there are package limits, one candidate can sit for more than one company. Since the placement prospects are good, every year the finest of students who score very well in the joint entrance examinations, get admission here.
But the placement story is a little different for the other faculties. The placement for the Arts Faculty, for instance, is very inconsistent and does not happen properly every year. A few companies came in the initial months of 2020 but since the lockdown, the placement process has been stopped, thus making the life of many, quite difficult.

Students need to apply for hostel facilities at the time of admission and based on the distance of their residence from the university, they are allotted hostels. It being a public university, the hostel fees is really low and affordable, making it easier for students with not so affluent backgrounds to continue their education. Non residents of the hostels can also visit and stay as there is much leniency regarding the hostel rules.

The infrastructure of the university is worth mentioning. Science and Engineering faculties cannot function without proper infrastructure. JU has the best engineering departments of the country, right after the IITs and that has been possible only because of the extensive lab and field work that it has been able to support. Various research achievements in the fields of Science to battle the pandemic has made its students proud, time and again and that too has been possible because of the infrastructure. Other than that, the overall infrastructure of the university is also decent. Every department has a computer lab and a library. There is also a Central Library and a Central digital library that all the students and faculty members can access. There is a field, a basketball court and also a gymnasium.

The social life of the campus is great. Till the second year of under graduation, students are required to take courses from other departments which really help the socialization process. Freshers' parties, farewells and fests are organised by the departments and also by the student unions which also see much exchange amongst all departments. It is also perhaps important to mention that the department is not entirely free from elitism. Some find themselves alienated and discriminated against. On the other hand, the environment of the campus promotes free speech and freedom of expression.