J.D. Birla Institute flags off 50th Anniversary celebrations

J.D Birla Institute (J.D.B.I), the pioneers of higher education and excellence for girls, affiliated to the Jadavpur University, is celebrating its fifty glorious years of imparting higher education and shaping careers. To mark the 50^th Anniversary Year celebrations, Ms Sumangala Birla, Chairperson, J.D.B.I, unveiled a commemorative logo of the Institute at a function at the Science City auditorium today.

The function was attended by Guest-in-chief Prof Souvik Bhattacharya, Vice Chancellor of Jadavpur University, industrialist Mr. S.K. Birla, other dignitaries, educationists and students. Eminent educationists and social activists participated in a panel discussion - `Emerging Perspectives in Indian Higher Education' – which was moderated by Mr. Ashok Vishwanathan, former head of the department, SRFTI.

Mr Sanjeev Nandwani (ITS) Zonal Development Commissioner, for SEZ’s (East and North-East Region) Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, Prof. Jandhyala B. G. Tilak (Head of Department, Education and Finance, National University of Education Planning & Administration, Prof. Nirmala Banerjee (Former Prof Centre for Studies in Social Sciences) and Prof. Jashodhara Bagchi (Founder-Director, School of Womens' Studies, Jadavpur University) spoke on various aspects of the topic.

J.D. Birla Institute, which is a private un-aided college was established in June 1962 when late Smt. Sushila Devi Birla established a college for girls to provide scientific education to young women from Kolkata's conservative family. The Institute has made rapid strides over the decades to emerge as a centre of excellence. The name was changed to J.D. Birla Institute in 2002 with the launch of a satellite campus to house the co-educational Department of Management. Today the Institute, which has an `A' grade National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), provides graduate, post-graduate degrees under affiliation to Jadavpur University and several short term courses.

“Besides the conventional degree courses, J.D. Birla Institute has carved out a niche and reputation for providing special job-oriented courses like Textile Science, Clothing & Fashion Studies, Food Science & Nutrition Management, Interior Designing, Human Development and Home Science etc., which are in vogue and much sought after by the students. Our out-of-the-box thinking on balancing the educational and career needs of students has kept us ahead of the curve,”said Dr. Deepali Singhee, Principal – J D Birla Institute.

The Institute also lays emphasis on value education through courses like Human Development which maps the lifespan perspectives, needs and rehabilitation of differently-abled people and special children, community service, psychological counselling and others.