| File:Kazi Nazrul University Logo.png Official seal of KNU | |
| Latin: Universitas Casiana Nazruliana | |
| Motto | Vidyayā'mritamașnute |
|---|---|
Motto in English | Wisdom is the path to eternal liberation |
| Recognition | |
| Type | Public research university |
| Established | 16 August 2012 |
Academic affiliations | |
| Budget | ₹27.78 crore (US$3.9 million) (2026–27)[4] |
| Chancellor | Governor of West Bengal |
| Vice-Chancellor | Uday Bandyopadhyay[5] |
Academic staff | 128 (2023)[6] |
| Students | 2,268 (2023)[6] |
| Undergraduates | 305 (2023)[6] |
| Postgraduates | 1,675 (2023)[6] |
| 288 (2023)[6] | |
| Location | , , India 23°41′41.09″N 86°59′41.7″E / 23.6947472°N 86.994917°E |
| Campus | Midsize city 15.6 acres (6.3 ha) |
| Acronym | KNU |
| Mascot | Flambeau & Sitar |
| Website | {{URL|example.com|optional display text}} |
| File:Kazi Nazrul University Wardmark logo.svg | |
Kazi Nazrul University (abbr. KNU) (bn) is a public state research university located in Asansol, West Bengal, India.[7][8] Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee laid the foundation stone on 10 January 2013.[9] The university has been named after the Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The university was established under the Kazi Nazrul University Act, 2012.[10] Anuradha Mukherjee was appointed as the first vice-chancellor of the university.[11] In May 2018, the university hosted a special convocation marking the poet's 119th birth anniversary.[12]
Organisation and administration[edit | edit source]
Governance[edit | edit source]
Established in 2012, Kazi Nazrul University (KNU) in Asansol functions through a structured governance framework designed to uphold academic integrity and administrative transparency. Named after the Rebel Poet, the university operates under the West Bengal University Laws, ensuring a balanced distribution of power between its internal bodies. The Executive Council serves as the principal administrative authority, overseeing fiscal management and policy implementation. Complementing this, the University Court acts as a supervisory body, while the Academic Council safeguards the curriculum's rigor. Through these collaborative organs, KNU maintains its commitment to fostering higher education while navigating the complexities of regional institutional growth.
| List of All Vice-Chancellors |
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In October 2025 Governor of West Bengal, as chancellor of universities, appointed Uday Bandyopadhyay as vice chancellor of the university.
Jurisdiction[edit | edit source]
Established in 2012, Kazi Nazrul University (KNU) serves as a pivotal institution for higher education in the Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal. Named after the visionary "Rebel Poet," the university’s jurisdiction primarily encompasses the Asansol and Durgapur subdivisions. As an affiliating university, KNU oversees a diverse network of government-aided and private colleges within this industrial belt. Its administrative reach ensures standardized curricula and examination protocols for various undergraduate and postgraduate programs. By focusing on this specific geographical corridor, the university addresses the unique educational needs of the region's urban and rural populations, fostering academic growth and professional development across the coalfield area.[13]
Faculties[edit | edit source]
Kazi Nazrul University has 19 departments organized into four faculty councils.[14]
| Faculty Council | Departments |
|---|---|
| PG Studies in Arts, Fine Arts, Performing Arts and Traditional Art Forms | |
| PG Studies in Commerce and Management | |
| PG Studies in Law, Education, Journalism and Mass Communication, Library Science and Physical Education | |
| PG Studies in Science, Technology and Vocational Studies |
Schools[edit | edit source]
- School of Health Science and Technology
- School of Management
- School of Mines And Metallurgy
In 2016, a significant milestone in West Bengal’s educational landscape was reached when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee approved the establishment of the Institute for Mines, Minerals and Metallurgic Sciences. Situated in Asansol under the jurisdiction of Kazi Nazrul University, the institute was designed to address the industrial demands of the mineral-rich region. The government allotted a dedicated seven-acre plot to develop a modern campus. Today, the institute provides a comprehensive academic pipeline, offering programs ranging from Diploma and B.Tech. to M.Sc. and PhD levels. This initiative serves as a pivotal hub for technical research and professional training in metallurgy and mining.[15] The School of Mines and Metallurgy consists of the Department Of Mining Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering and Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science).
Centres[edit | edit source]
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Academics[edit | edit source]
Admission[edit | edit source]
- For UG & PG: Good marks in the higher secondary (10+2) and graduation (10+2+3) levels are necessary for admission in the undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the university.
- For B.Tech: Admission through Centralized Counselling based on WBJEE rank conducted by West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board and time to time notification issued by Department of Higher Education, Govt. of West Bengal. also students can admitted through Joint Entrance for Lateral Entry (JELET) exam conducted by West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board in lateral entry in 2nd year (3rd semester) of the four-year course of bachelor's degree in technology.
- For MCA: Admission through Centralized Counselling based on JECA rank conducted by West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board in 2 years of Master of Computer Application (MCA) course.
Research[edit | edit source]
In May 2015 Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a Nazrul Research Centre would be established at the university, it's been a long pending demand from poet's family.[17] University has fortified its international academic standing by entering into a formal MoU with Taylor's University, Malaysia. This strategic alliance is designed to catalyze high-impact collaborative research and facilitate robust faculty exchange programs. By integrating the unique intellectual resources of both institutions, the partnership seeks to cultivate a globalized learning environment, driving innovation and academic excellence across South Asian and Southeast Asian borders.[18]
Libraries[edit | edit source]
The Central Library of Kazi Nazrul University was established in 2013. It is located in a convenient place on the ground floor of the Vidyacharya Building. The books are classified according to the Dewey Decimal Classification. All books are barcoded. Students of affiliated colleges are also be able to enter the central library. The collection of books includes documents on a wide range of topics, including Bengali literature, English literature, pure science, art, history and social sciences, and language. The university library has a valuable collection of more than 20,000 books.[19]
Preserving the "Rebel Poet’s" legacy, institution has secured British Library grants to digitize rare manuscripts and shellac records. This initiative archives 1,200 pages of personal diaries and thousands of vintage recordings, offering scholars unprecedented access to Nazrul Islam’s creative process and domestic life. The project ensures these fragile historical artifacts survive for future academic exploration.[20]
Publishing[edit | edit source]
Kazi Nazrul University has inaugurated a scholarly journal dedicated to the profound legacy of the "Rebel Poet." This academic initiative aims to institutionalize Nazrul studies, offering a platform for critical discourse on his literary, musical, and socio-political contributions. By fostering rigorous research, the university strengthens the preservation and global understanding of Nazrul’s revolutionary spirit and cultural heritage.[21]
Rankings[edit | edit source]
Kazi Nazrul University was ranked 65th among the academic institutions in India by the Nature Index in 2023.[22]
Accreditation and recognition[edit | edit source]
In July 2019, the university was given membership of the Association of Indian Universities.[23]
The University Grants Commission (U.G.C.) accorded recognition to the university in accordance with Section 12B of the U.G.C. Act, in 2019.[24][25]
In September 2021, the university has been awarded Grade B with a CGPA of 2.1 by the NAAC.[26]
Controversies[edit | edit source]
The university suddenly suspended giving the Nazrul award, and in 2022 the state body discontinued the award in the poet's name.[27]
In May 2023, a teacher was accused of raping a Bangladeshi student on the promise of marriage. The victim student made this allegation against a professor of the Bengali department of the same university. The female student from Rangpur, Bangladesh, is a postgraduate student of the university's Bengali department. A few months ago, the woman student informed the university authorities and Asansol Women Police Station about the incident. Though several days passed, there was no resolution.[28] The victim then approached the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission at Kolkata in the hope of justice. She also filed a written complaint against the professor at Durgapur Women's Police Station on 10 May. The girl also lodged a complaint with the state women's commission. Based on that complaint, the Women's Commission launched an investigation.[29]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "AICTE Letter of Approval for New Institution 2019-20" (PDF). AICTE. 30 April 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
- ↑ "Fresh approval to Department of Law, Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol, West Bengal for imparting five year BA LL.B (Hons.) course" (PDF). Bar Council of India. New Delhi. 27 November 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
- ↑ "Establishment of Kazi Nazrul University, West Bengal as a State University" (PDF). University Grants Commission (India). Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ↑ Detailed Demands for grants for 2026-27 (PDF). Government of West Bengal. 2026. p. 188. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ Bhaumik, Aaratrika (6 October 2025). "Supreme Court clears deck for appointment of V-Cs to 8 State varsities in Bengal". The Hindu October 06, 2025 11:17 pm IST - NEW DELHI. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "NIRF 2023" (PDF). Kazi Nazrul University.
- ↑ "Private education Bill passed amidst Opposition walkout". The Statesman. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "Bill passed to set up private varsity". Asian Age. 7 July 2012. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ↑ Chakraborty, Debajyoti (7 January 2013). "Chief minister Mamata Banerjee may announce new district on Asansol trip". The Times of India Jan 7, 2013, 02:47 IST. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ↑ "The Kazi Nazrul University Act, 2012" (PDF). indiacode.nic.in. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ↑ "Anuradha Mukherjee appointed as new vice-chancellor of Kazi Nazrul Islam University". The Times of India Nov 24, 2012, 05:53 IST. 24 November 2012. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ↑ "Hasina conferred honorary D.Litt by Kazi Nazrul University". Business Standard 17:35 IST. Asansol. Indo-Asian News Service. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- ↑ "Affiliated Colleges of the Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol". knu.ac.in.
- ↑ "Kazi Nazrul University :: Asansol :: West Bengal". knu.ac.in.
- ↑ "West Bengal set for mining institute in Asansol". The Times of India Nov 3, 2016, 04.12 AM IST. Archived from the original on 9 November 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ↑ "Kazi Nazrul varsity sets up centre for cultural studies". The Statesman | SNS | Kolkata | November 30, 2023 9:00 am. 30 November 2023. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ↑ Chakraborty, Debajyoti (11 May 2015). "Nazrul research centre in Asansol". The Times of India May 11, 2015, 04:33 IST. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ↑ Chakraborti, Debajyoti (11 December 2023). "KNU of Asansol inks MoU with top Malaysian University for research and faculty exchange". The Statesman December 11, 2023 8:45 am. Kolkata. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ↑ "Central Library". Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ↑ Banerjee, Sudeshna (18 April 2024). "arsity in Asansol to digitise Kazi Nazrul Islam's manuscripts and shellac records". The Telegraph (India) | Calcutta | 18.05.24, 06:43 AM.
- ↑ "Nazrul Journal published by Kazi Nazrul University". The Statesman August 31, 2022 4:32 pm IST. 31 August 2022. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ↑ "2023 tables: Institutions". Nature Index. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- ↑ "University Approved Kazi Nazrul University (250-300)". Ei Samay Sangbadpatra 12 Jul 2019, 9:00 am IST. 12 July 2019. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ↑ "Proposal for 12-B Status" (PDF). University Grants Commission (India). 27 June 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ↑ "University Grants Commission, 12B list" (PDF). ugc.ac.in.
- ↑ "NAAC Accreditation Grade Sheet". NAAC. 7 September 2021. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ↑ SIDDIQUI, KANCHAN (25 May 2022). "As university takes care of Nazrul fair, award on the poet stopped". The Statesman May 25, 2022 5:38 pm. CHURULIA. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ↑ "B'deshi student alleges rape by varsity teacher; WB women's panel takes cognisance". Press Trust of India May 15, 2023 4:39PM. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ↑ "'Death threat' to Bangladeshi student: WB women's body takes note of allegations". The Daily Star May 15, 2023 07:51 PM. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original on 16 June 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Official website Archived 1 April 2022 at the Wayback Machine
