Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 28 NOV: At a time when employability in the humanities is increasingly tied to practical skill-building, the Department of Bengali at Sripat Singh College, located at Jiaganj in Murshidabad, organised a day-long workshop on “Book Publishing and Editing” on Friday, aiming to familiarise students with the professional workflow of the publishing industry.
Held in collaboration with the college’s Career Counselling Cell and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), the programme opened with remarks from Prof. (Dr.) Abdul Kader Ahmed, who underscored the relevance of such training in the present academic landscape. He said initiatives like this can bridge the gap between literary education and the evolving demands of the job market.
The technical sessions featured lectures by Prof. (Dr.) Sagar Simlandi, Dr. Ranbir Nath and Dr. Abhishek Basu. Dr. Debjani Bhowmik (Chakraborty), Head of the Bengali Department and convenor of the event, noted that the workshop was designed to offer students a glimpse into a career path where creative aptitude and technical precision go hand in hand. She expressed hope that such exposure would help students move towards self-reliance.
The highlight of the workshop was the participation of two industry experts — Prof. Dr. Dipankar Mallik of Belur Siksha Mandir and Dr. Debarati Mallik, publisher and proprietor of Diya Publication. Their interactive sessions drew strong engagement from both students and faculty members.
The resource persons discussed multiple components of the publication pipeline, including cover design, proofreading standards, page layout, binding techniques and strategies for marketing a finished book. They emphasised that in an era of rising unemployment, students must be encouraged to develop skills that can generate independent income. Their message was clear: opportunities exist for those willing to learn, and their doors remain open to aspiring young editors and writers.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Amal Modak, co-convenor of the workshop, who acknowledged the efforts of all departments involved and the enthusiastic participation of the students.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, academic excellence and an engaged campus community, the University of Kalyani on Friday unveiled the inaugural issue of its revived institutional newsletter, Kalyani University Chronicles (Volume 1, Issue 1). The launch — seen as a significant step in restoring a long-standing tradition of institutional documentation — was formally conducted by Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Kallol Paul in the presence of members of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and the university’s Newsletter Committee.
The Vice-Chancellor, releasing the first issue, described the newsletter as an essential mirror of the university’s intellectual and administrative progression. He applauded the editorial team for “reinitiating a vital tradition that reflects the vibrancy and collective achievements of the university community.” Prof. Paul noted that at a time when higher education institutions are increasingly expected to demonstrate quality benchmarks, the publication would serve as a valuable channel for communicating academic milestones, innovations, and institutional developments.
The first issue of Kalyani University Chronicles features highlights of research initiatives, faculty recognitions, student achievements and campus events, presenting a curated picture of the university’s evolving academic landscape. Members of the Newsletter Committee and IQAC representatives emphasised that future editions would place special focus on quality enhancement measures, extension activities, outreach programmes and collaborative projects that deepen the university’s engagement with society.
The launch event concluded with a shared sense of optimism, with committee members noting that the periodic publication would not only chronicle accomplishments but also foster a culture of reflection, accountability and institutional pride across the campus.
