Revolutionizing
Undergraduate Science Education through the DBT Star College Initiative
About Star College
The Star College Programme was initiated by DBT in 2008 to support colleges and universities offering
undergraduate education to improve science teaching across the country. This Scheme was launched for
improving critical thinking and encouraging ‘hands on’ experimental science at undergraduate level in
basic
science subjects. On a larger perspective, the scheme was initiated envisioning that it shall encourage
more
students to take up higher education in science. Through this scheme the Department identifies colleges
with
potential for excellence and provides support for developing infrastructure for academics and laboratory
activities. This support is in turn expected to invigorate teaching and provide unique exposure of
students
to experimental science. Starting with a meagre 30 colleges in 2008, this pan India scheme has supported
science departments in more than 300 colleges all over the country till date.
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Notice Board
Here Are The 3 Major Stages We have in our Scheme
i. The College should have at least four B.Sc. courses (3 for rural category) in basic/applied sciences such as Botany, Zoology, Applied Life Sciences, Microbiology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology etc. Read More
In addition to criteria for Stage-I, the college should fulfill the following: i. College must have completed 3 years under the Strengthening component of Star College Programme and must have received at least grants for two years. Read More
For Stage-III (Star Mentor College), the colleges which have performed extremely well under the Star College Programme may be identified to serve a higher role through more intensive round of evaluation.In this phase, rather than serving the purpose of improving caliber of high intellectual students, Read More
- The college must be Government or Government aided or Autonomous included under Section 2(f)/12(B) of UGC Act.
- College should run minimum 4-5 UG courses in basic sciences such as botany, zoology, applied life science, microbiology, physiology / biochemistry, biotechnology and 1-2 applied course/PG diploma courses.
- Adequate in-house faculty expertise in each science departments with at least 1 permanent faculty.
- Basic infrastructure and facilities in terms of laboratories and library, LCD / overhead projection facilities, Computers with internet access in consonance with UG level of India.
DBT is focused on equitable percolation of benefits of the Star College Programme throughout the country and is committed to ensure that geographical location and access to means of communication and technology should not be a deterrent for securing this highly competitive grant. Therefore, since 2018-19 Colleges have been categorized into Urban and Rural categories based on the physical location of the college.
Colleges applying under Rural category should mandatorily attach a certificate (with the application) from competent authority (local administration and not Principal of the College) either in Hindi or English stating that the college is located in a Rural area, failing which applications shall not be considered further.
- Colleges that have been not recommended for support can re- apply to DBT for financial support with appropriate modifications and the revisions & modifications after a gap of one year.
- If a college has been rejected by the Task Force in two consecutive rounds of evaluation, whether at level of Screening or after presentation before the Task Force it would not be allowed to apply again till a cooling period of two years has elapsed.
The Star College Programme encourages young and energetic faculty of a College to assume greater responsibilities besides their routine roles and functions. A Co- ordinator should be active, engage in networking with other Departments seeking support under the DBT-Star College Programme and should be involved with the overall functioning of the programme in respective Colleges.
The Coordinator for the Star College Programme shall be responsible for the coordination between the Colleges and DBT; thus the change of coordinator shall not be entertained during the entire duration of the support unless there is some personal issue due to which the coordinator is not available, for duration of more than six months at a stretch.
- Applications must be submitted through the online portal of DBT e-ProMIS and all mandatory information should be uploaded.
- Consideration shall be given to regional requirements, women's colleges, autonomous colleges and colleges from Aspirational
- Applications shall be initially screened by an Expert Committee constituted by Shortlisted Colleges shall be called for final presentation before the Task Force. Site visit, if required, will be undertaken to arrive at final decision. Decision of Task Force will be final.
The decision of the Expert Committee/Task Force is generally communicated to all applicants via email along with the observations of the Committee.
For discussion or evaluation of proposals, members of committee must declare a conflict of interest if they or close professional associates will or might benefit, directly or indirectly, from any support. The potential Conflict of Interest will be discussed and rated as high, medium or low and the member(s) will be either asked to leave the meeting for the duration of Committee’s deliberations regarding the relevant proposal, or to refrain from any discussion and participation in decisions related to the proposal(s).
For any assistance, recipients of the DBT-Star College grant / Co-ordinators may contact:
Programme Head: Dr. Garima Gupta, Sc. E, Department of Biotechnology, Room No. 510, 5th Floor, Block 3, CGO Complex, New Delhi-110003 Tel: 011-24369385 Email: garima[dot]g[at]nic[dot]in
Each College supported under the DBT-Star College Programme is envisaged to promote networking and strengthen ties with neighboring institutions and a separate fund is provided for mentoring activities.
A College aspiring to apply for a Star College grant may get in touch with the neighbouring Star College. A list of Colleges supported under the DBT-Star College Programme with details of Co-ordinators is provided below.
Additionally, DBT also conducts workshops and outreach activities periodically throughout the country.
Success stories
162 undergraduate colleges across the country were ultimately supported under Star College Programme during the last 5 years. Out of these, 45 colleges have been awarded Star College Status.
Science Setu Programme: The programme is organised under the aegis of the Atmanirbhar Bharat, India@75 campaign. In this programme, the 15 Autonomous Institutes engaged 225 colleges and they organized 125 seminars out of which more than 7500 students benefitted under the programme.
Star College Mentorship Programme: Under this programme the colleges that have been conferred with the prestigious “Star Status” will adopt a higher role of mentoring the colleges that have currently initiated their journey under the “Strengthening Component” implementing the scheme's mandate, and also to make the colleges aware of other programs of the Department/Ministry.
Under this programme, DBT organized ‘Foldscope Workshops’ in 3 different locations Delhi, Guwahati and Kaziranga which lead to mass popularization of this low cost device among undergraduate students. Additionally, several colleges disseminated and continue to disseminate the knowledge harnessed by training school students and further familiarizing this instrument.
Student outreach activities are carried out regularly by the Colleges which promote interaction and networking skills among students and staff alike and also provide unique exposure to scientific research, industrial processes etc. thereby igniting young minds towards a career in basic sciences.
Reduction in college dropout rates and increase in students pursuing higher education in basic science subjects.
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