Bhopal: Barkatullah University‘s “A” grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has drawn criticism from its students. Despite the high rating, many students argue that the assessment overlooked significant issues, including low attendance, deteriorating infrastructure, and a shortage of permanent faculty.

The students have lodged complaints with higher authorities, asserting that these problems undermine the fairness of NAAC’s evaluation. They contend that factors such as inconsistent class attendance and poorly maintained buildings were not adequately considered during the grading process.

One of the primary concerns is the low attendance rates, which students attribute to unengaging classes and other unspecified reasons. This lack of regular attendance is believed to negatively impact the quality of education offered by the university.

Additionally, the condition of the university’s buildings has been flagged as problematic. Some facilities are reportedly outdated and in disrepair, with laboratories lacking essential equipment for experiments. This has reportedly hindered both teaching and learning processes.

The scarcity of permanent teachers is another major issue highlighted by the students. Recruitment of teachers at Barkatullah University has been stalled since 2014, resulting in more than 50 percent of the teaching positions remaining vacant. Out of the 104 sanctioned posts, around 45 have been filled.

Many departments depend on guest lecturers or temporary staff, whose limited experience and commitment could compromise the standard of education and research. The students argue that permanent faculty members would provide greater stability and better guidance.

“These problems challenge the validity of NAAC’s grading,” M.Tech last year student Amit Biwade stated, expressing skepticism about the thoroughness of the assessment.

The students have called on NAAC to conduct a more comprehensive review of the university’s conditions. “Is NAAC really seeing the whole picture? Are they paying enough attention to the problems that students face every day? These are questions that NAAC needs to answer,” Amit said.

Their actions underscore a commitment to improving the educational environment at Barkatullah University. “By speaking out, we are hoping to make a difference. We want the authorities to take their complaints seriously and take action to fix the problems,” another student added. Without quoting his name.

“Will they take steps to improve attendance, fix the buildings, and hire more permanent teachers? The students are waiting to see what happens next,” BU alumni Dharmendra Singh Gour said.

The future of Barkatullah University hinges on addressing these concerns. Collaborative efforts between students, faculty, and administrators are essential to fostering a better learning environment.

University authorities couldn’t be reached for reaction despite repeated attempts.