The Union education ministry granted deemed-to-be university status to the Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering and Technology in Old Malda. The cabinet acted on a 2024 UGC recommendation. Director Siby John said, "This is a matter of pride for our institute and will also significantly improve our infrastructure."

Siby John, GKCIET director, said they applied to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the upgrade in 2024. After scrutinising the proposal, the UGC forwarded a positive recommendation to the ministry

The Union education ministry has declared deemed-to-be central university status for the Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering and Technology (GKCIET), located in the Old Malda block of Malda district.

Siby John, GKCIET director, said they applied to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the upgrade in 2024. After scrutinising the proposal, the UGC forwarded a positive recommendation to the ministry.

The Union cabinet, on September 28 this year, acted on the UCG's recommendation to grant GKCIET deemed-to-be university status.

"This is a matter of pride for our institute and will also significantly improve our infrastructure," John said.

Established in 2010 and named after former Union railway minister A.B.A. Ghani Khan Choudhury, GKCIET currently offers four-year BTech programmes in five disciplines -- electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, computer science and food technology -- with an intake of 60 students in each branch.

The centrally funded institute offers diploma and vocational courses, and currently has around 1,800 students.

Until now, GKCIET was affiliated with the state-run Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT).

With deemed university status, the institute can register its own students and gain greater academic autonomy.

At present, six of the 58 sanctioned faculty positions are vacant. Sources said that, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP), the faculty strength could now rise to more than 100.

The upgrade will also bring key administrative changes. The post of director will be re-designated as vice-chancellor, while the central government will appoint a chancellor in place of the chairman's post.

John said they were seeking a no-objection certificate from MAKAUT so that students enrolled at GKCIET could be brought under the new university registration.