A college with a difference

The campus of Syed Kalu Shah Degree College, snapped on Saturday. PHOTO: STAR

Politics is not allowed and smoking is prohibited on the compound of Saturia Syed Kalu Shah Degree College.

Students get all books from the college library. Tuition fee is free.

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The college got the Best College Award in Manikganj district for the second consecutive year last year for good result and academic atmosphere. Extra-academic activities of students are also considered in giving the award.

Teachers are proud of being in the college in a rural area, away from Saturia upazila headquarters.

"Discipline and academic atmosphere top out priorities", its principal Prof M Anwarul Haque Khan Majlish told this correspondent during a recent visit.

Teachers and students together maintain the atmosphere, he said proudly.

"To my knowledge, this is the only college in the country where students get free books", said Khan Majlish, a retired education ministry official.

Abdul Latif, a teacher in accounting department said, "We are very particular in academic activities and maintaining a good atmosphere on the campus".

The college was set up on 4.5 acres of land in 1995. It has three dormitories for male students.

A computer centre has been opened with three computers. More computers are needed, officials at the college said.

There are 35 teachers for 974 students in Intermediate and Degree classes.

The rate of successful candidates was 76 per cent in 2002 and 66.19 last year.

Syed Badsha Alam founded the college after his great grandfather Syed Kalu Shah, a mystic poet of the area.

Talking to this correspondent Badsha Alam lamented that he could not acquire academic education for want of money. "I am now an industrialist and have a lot of money. The money should be spent for good purposes".