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DBT Star College Scheme

The Department of Biotechnology at MHRD New Delhi has launched a scheme for improving critical thinking and ‘hands-on’ experimental work at the undergraduate (college) level in sciences. This Scheme was launched in 2008 by the Department of Bio-Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India aiming to encourage more students to take up higher education in science. DBT will identify colleges with ambition and potential for excellence, provide academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching, and provide students with unique exposure to experimental science.

The Star College Scheme is a pan-India scheme that envisages a Star College in every district of the country; identify colleges that can be considered for support under this scheme. DBT has supported over 200 undergraduate colleges across the country in the past 15 years. Apart from financial support, colleges benefit tremendously from guidance received in advisory committee meetings, mentoring, task force meetings, and learning from peers in other colleges.

CMP Degree College was chosen under the strengthening component of DBT Star College Scheme in 2020 and four science departments, including: Botany, Zoology, Chemistry and Physics, received funds under the scheme

Objectives:

To strengthen the academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and training.
To enhance the quality of the learning and teaching process and stimulate original thinking through ’hands-on’ exposure to experimental work and participation in summer schools.
To promote networking and strengthen ties with neighboring institutions and other laboratories.
To conduct specialized training programmes for faculty improvement and optimizing technical capabilities.
To increase the capabilities of core instrumentation resources by procuring new equipment and upgrading existing facilities.
To provide access and exposure to research laboratories and industries in the country.
To help in devising standard curricula and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) / kits for practicals.
To provide better library facilities to students and teachers.

Activities under DBT Star College Scheme

For Students

Students are trained through the introduction of practicals prescribed in the curriculum.
Introduction of conceptual clarity via engaging students in minor projects, either singly or in groups of students not exceeding 4 in number.
Inclusion of techniques for ‘hands-on’ training to strengthen concepts taught otherwise via a theoretical approach.
Summer training, preferably via engaging students in research projects;
Visits to neighboring industries, research institutions, or places of academic value.
Use of IT in classroom, laboratory, and library activities.
Organizing lectures by eminent scientists and career counselling lectures specifically to create awareness among students about their future career options in science.

For Faculty

Faculty improvement programme.
Participation in summer courses for skill upgrading is necessary to be able to train students.
Curriculum change to ensure more ‘hands-on’ laboratory work.
There is greater emphasis on communicating research and the research process to students.
Introduce an internal review process by students regarding the implementation of various activities under the Star College Scheme.
Feedback from students regarding the competence of the faculty, the adequacy of the teaching and laboratory environment, and additional needs, if any

Structure of DBT Star College Scheme in CMP Degree College

Chairperson

Prof Ajay Prakash Khare, Principal, CMP Degree College, Prayagraj

Coordinator:

Dr Sarita Srivastava, Associate Professor, Department of Botany,CMP Degree College, Prayagraj

Co-coordinator:

Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, CMP Degree College, Prayagraj

Departmental Coordinators:

Botany: Dr Avinash Pratap Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, CMP Degree College, Prayagraj

Chemistry: Dr. Vishal Srivastava, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, CMP Degree College, Prayagraj

Physics: Dr. Rohit Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, CMP Degree College, Prayagraj

Zoology: Dr Manoj Kumar Jaiswal, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology,CMP Degree College, Prayagraj