Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University Associate Professor: Dr Mithun Das Interview

Dr Mithun Das is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Tribal Studies, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal. He did his master’s in Anthropology with a specialization in Human Genetics and Physical Anthropology and also possesses a Ph.D. His areas of interests are public health genomics, public health nutrition, and ethnic variations in susceptibility to complex diseases including diabetes, CVD, metabolic syndrome. He was awarded Raman Post-Doctoral Fellowship from University Grants Commission, New Delhi. He has over 25 publications in peer-reviewed journals of international repute. Presently three scholars are pursuing Ph.D. under his supervision.

What are the best practices offered by the department to the students?

“Extensive theoretical education and practical training in Anthropology subjects”

Our department offers three specializations in the main subject, these are Biological Anthropology, Social and Cultural Anthropology, and Tribal Studies. Before pursuing specialization in semester III & IV, students have to undergo training in general fieldwork in semester II. They are trained through five different stages: 

• Basic theories of Anthropology.
• Extensive fieldwork in any community or ethnic group with Camp stay for at least 12-15 days. It also includes rapport establishment, application of research methodology, data collection etc.
• Wet lab training: Experiments, if any in the department’s laboratory.
• Dry lab training: Computation, data entry, statistical packages, data analysis and interpretation,
• Presentation and Report Submission: Dissertation work to be presented followed by submission and viva voce. 

How do you help your students thrive in this competitive world?

“Providing them with the appropriate exposure, both academic and social”

The faculty members of our department believe in providing necessary exposure to our students and keeping ourselves updated with all the latest academic activities. We firmly believe that students whether from smaller towns or from major cities, all have the same potential. The only difference is in the level of quality exposure. So once you provide necessary exposure both within and out of the curriculum, they become competitive accordingly.

Do you have any extracurricular activities to enhance the skills of the students?

“Social awareness programs are regularly organized by students of SKBU”

Our curriculum includes the ‘Outreach Program’, which enables our students to reach the nearby villages, communities and the district of Purulia. This is done to arrange several awareness programs related to health and other social issues. This provides them the first-hand training to contribute effectively to society. It is based on the CBCS system as mentioned by UGC. 

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What are the challenges you are facing while uplifting the quality of education?

“An effort to help students lacking in English language and soft skills”

At our university, students not coming from an Anthropology background are helped extensively during their Master’s. Our faculty members are taking special care of students who did not study Anthropology in their UG. We are encouraging our students in developing skills related to English language writing and speaking as well. 

How does the curriculum of your college ensure the best practice of the industry?

“Practical education, field visits and training are an integral part of the curriculum”

Our curriculum provides all-around training to our students and scholars to design research-oriented projects. They conduct fieldwork, surveys, perform scientific analyses of the data and quality presentation related to any bio-social issues of society. Extensive field training is our greatest strength which is needed in most industries nowadays.

What would you like people to know about your university they may not know?

“We promote studies related to indigenous languages, cultures, and rural development”

Established in 2010, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University (SKBU) is located in the district of Purulia, West Bengal. It is built for the dissemination of knowledge and continuous promotion of advancement in higher academics since its inception. Keeping in mind the geographic set up of Purulia, it is providing better exposure to the students without the need of going far away from home to major cities. Our University provides a special emphasis on studies related to indigenous languages, cultures, and rural development. Apart from regular subjects of Science, Arts and Commerce SKBU provides several skill-based diploma courses keeping employment in mind. 

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What do you see as Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University’s greatest strengths?

“An excellent pool of qualified faculty and a strong administration at SKBU”

Perfect atmosphere and ethical work culture inside the campus is our greatest strength. All faculty members, students, officers, and administrators are consistently working together for the benefit of this university. The academic profile of our faculty and their academic contributions are internationally acclaimed. Our students and scholars are very promising and enthusiastic. Within the next few years, under the able leadership of our Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dipak Kumar Kar, SKBU will become an institution of National Importance.