Star College Scheme

The Star College Programme was initiated by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in 2008 to support colleges and universities offering undergraduate education to improve science teaching across the country. Through this programme 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 to students on experimental science.

The journey to reach the Star Status began in the year 2014 with submission of proposal to DBT. Five Science Departments - Physics, Chemistry, Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology, Zoology and Biochemistry of Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College For Women (Autonomous), Chennai, was selected and received the Star college grants in the year 2015. The grants was sanctioned under the head (1) Onetime Non-Recurring grant of Rs.5 lakhs per department, (2) Recurring grant of Rs.2 lakhs per year to all the five departments and (3) Travel Grant of Rs. one lakh per year were utilized by all the five science departments.

The grants sanctioned by the DBT was used judiciously by the five Science Departments. The equipment’s were purchased from the non-recurring grants which enhanced the physical infrastructure of the laboratories and helped the students to have more access to the instruments and also adided in conducting workshops / hands on training and new practical & group projects were introduced at the UG level. Under the recurring grant, various activities were also conducted which became a regular mandated feature after receiving star funds.

Owing to the successful conduct of the above activities in the 2nd Task Force meeting to review ongoing colleges supported by DBT Star College Scheme held in May 2018 at Gargi College, New Delhi, the Experts commended the commitment towards the Star Program by five Science Departments and recommended continuation of the financial support for the next two years.

In the 8th meeting of the Task Force held in August 2020 (online) the progress of the five Science Departments from the year 2015 to 2020 was presented. The Task Force Members appreciated the progress of the College in constantly striving to upgrade the student quality and highly commended the introduction of new practical in each department and made a special mention on the projects Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins and Tissue culture of endangered species. In view of the above, the Task Force recommended awarding the Star Status to the participating departments in the College with a total grant of Rs.1.59 crores under the head (i) onetime non-recurring grant of Rs.15 lakhs per year per department (ii) recurring grant of Rs. 5 lakhs per year per department (iii) contingency grant of Rs. one lakh per year (iv) travel grant of Rs.2 lakhs per year for a period of three years.

Presently the College has been upgraded to Star Status (Vide order received on November 2022) and is prestigiously working in all domains to encourage undergraduate learning capabilities and improve critical thinking of students. With the extensive support of DBT the college endeavours to sustain the Star Status and conduct activities in alignment with the key objectives of the Programme which is to promote networking and strengthen life sciences so as to increase the number of students taking up science in their higher education.