Super 17: Students of Department of English, Assam University shine bright in NET/JRF/SLET

July 16: The National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the result for the National Eligibility Test (NET) 2019 on Saturday, July 13. Students of the Department of English of Assam University, Silchar carved a niche for themselves in this examination. A total of 15 students of the department qualified NET/JRF this year. Candidates who clear the exam become eligible for the post of Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).

It’s not probably but certainly a record set by the Department of English of Assam University wherein 15 of its students cracked the most sought after examination. Those who cleared NET/JRF sat for the examination on 27 June, 2019, the results for which was declared on Saturday. Out of the 15, one student, Debashree Chakraborty got JRF, while the rest qualified NET. Debashree also qualified SLET this year. Apart from this 15, another 2 students of the department cleared SLET. This takes the total tally of NET/JRF/SLET qualified students of the English Department of Assam University to ‘Super-17.’

The following is the list of students and scholars of the Department of English, Assam University, Silchar, who have cleared NET/JRF/ SLET in the Academic Year 2018-2019:
Debashree Chakraborty, who is at present working for her Ph.D in the Department of English of Assam Univeristy, Silchar on ‘Climate Fiction’ under the supervision of Dr. Anindya Syam Choudhury was the maiden one among the Super-17 to qualify for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). Debashree has already qualified NET & SLET. She is working as a part-time faculty in the Department of English, G.C. College, Silchar. Debashree is also a Research Associate in the English Department of the varsity for an ICSSR Project.

Speaking to way2barak, Arundhuti Dutta Choudhury, who teaches English in Radhamadhab College, Silchar said, “It is indeed a matter of great pride and honour to see the students of English department of the University performing so well. I am more elated to share the information that Nidhu Kumar Dhar, who cracked NET this year was an alumni of Radhamadhab College.” Nidhu Kumar Dhar got 1st class in B.A. English Honours from Radhamadhab College and then scored a CGPA of 7.39 in M.A. English from Assam University. Nidhu was the topper in Masters.

Infact, social media is replete with a flood of messages wherein people from various walks of life are lauding the students and teachers of Department of English, Assam University, Silchar. Dr. Apratim Nag who teaches Physics in G.C. College Silchar wrote, “Indeed an outstanding, probably unparalleled achievement atleast in this part of the country. This achievement by the Department of English is highly commendable and each and every person related with the department deserves kudos for this.”

Cyber Security Expert & Director of Jookto, Subimal Bhattacharjee wrote, “Indeed a very positive news from the university unlike mostly the negative news that come out regularly. This is indeed a morale booster for many students across departments.” Dr. Charvak, who teaches in the Department of Mass Communications of Assam University wrote, “This performance of the students of English Department is a national record & this is not accidental. This is a result of consistent decade-long effort marked by its high standard of academic values and team spirit of the faculties…. May we all take a few cues from them.”

Expressing his reactions, Prof. Dipendu Das, former Head of the Department of English of Assam University wrote, “We are really proud of our students of both the campuses of Assam University. It’s undoubtedly a stupendous achievement.” Similar outburst of happiness was also noticed in the messages of many others.

 It needs mention here that of the 9.48 lakh candidates who appeared for the exam over 60,457 could clear the same – NET and JRF combined. 55,701 candidates cleared the NTA UGC NET 2019 exams this time, whereas 4,756 candidates have cleared JRF. There are two lists of candidates – one is for those who qualified to become assistant professors, while the other is for those who cleared JRF. JRF candidates can choose to apply for assistant professor positions but assistant professor candidates cannot apply for JRF. To pass the test, candidates need to score at least 40 per cent marks (35 per cent for reserved category candidates). Among the qualified candidates, only the top 6 per cent are declared qualified.