Assam Government Proposes Establishment of Two New State Universities in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar Districts

The Assam government has put forth plans to establish two new state-run universities in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts. Through the introduction of two bills, the government aims to create the Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University in Gohpur, Sonitpur district, and the Kokrajhar University in Kokrajhar.

The Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University Bill, 2024, envisions a new institute as a ‘teaching, residential, and affiliating university’ with provisions for open and distance learning facilities. Meanwhile, the Kokrajhar University Bill, 2024 proposes the elevation of the existing Kokrajhar Government College into a ‘teaching, research-oriented, affiliating, and semi-residential University,’ with plans for an open and distance learning center under the university’s umbrella.

The move comes as part of the state’s efforts to enhance the higher education landscape, with Assam currently hosting a total of 22 universities, out of which 14 are state-run, two are central, and six are private institutions, according to the higher education department.