History of Hazi A. K. Khan College
Hazi A K Khan College is the lone representative institution of Higher Education at Hariharpara, a Block within Berhampore Sub-Division of Murshidabad District in West Bengal. This rural Block is considered as a Community Developing one as per administrative perspective, with a population of 2, 57,571 (Census, 2011), where minorities form 80.70%. The catchment area of the educational institutes here, include adjacent agricultural locale at large, with a little proportion of small scale industrial area. The Block was endowed with a considerable number of Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary Institutions. But no institution was there to cater further education for the young aspirant stakeholders; predominantly the girls.
The idea was initially conceived by a local visionary, fond of education; honourable Hazi Abdul Kader Khan who donated 1.82 acre of land to set up a college with a dream to explore dreams of thousands, who had to travel a long way to acquire higher education or to discontinue it midway. Afterwards, some local robust persons took timely initiatives in framing required Society Registration and completed other formalities with the Government. The long-cherished dream came true in 2008, when Hazi A K Khan College started its journey at Hariharpara High School getting affiliation from University of Kalyani with Honours and General Courses in some traditional disciplines in Arts. Very soon the institution was shifted to the present location set up partly by Government aids along with generous donations from local people and people’s representative. Primarily, the focus was on nurturing excellence in the local young, who would be mentored to achieve success in their later professional and entrepreneurial ventures and lead a decent life.
With the increase of enrolment of students, teachers were appointed accordingly under the leadership of an Acting Principal. From 2016, the college was provided permanent Full Time Teachers. Gradually, a Governing Body was formed replacing the Managing Committee / Administrator. Now, the college is a conglomeration of about 1500 students, an proficient Principal, 10 young energetic assistant Professors, 21 proficient State Aided College Teachers, 7 skillful permanent Non-teaching staffs, one casual Librarian, 2 casual Group D to deal with smooth conduction of academic and administrative activities . At present twelve academic departments in Arts are there, out of which seven have Honours Courses.
The college has witnessed a paradigm shift in all respect since 2021, with the joining of the first permanent Principal Dr. Goutam Kumar Ghosh who has been engaging in shaping the college towards a model institution. Alongwith the erstwhile building, the college has got a well-architected annexed building from Department of Minority Affairs, Government of West Bengal. Now the three winged building having 32 theory Class Rooms, 4 Lab Rooms (3 for Department of Geography, 1 Multi-Skill Enhancing Lab), 4 ICT enabled Class Rooms, 1 well equipped Conference Room, 1 Auditorium with modern amenities, 1 Central Library with OPAC facility favoring separate transactional arrangements for teachers and students, separate canteen for students and teachers, separate Common Rooms for Girls and Boys, 3 Parking Places for students and staff, enough modern toilets for girls, boys and staff, a hostel for minority girls , facilities for disadvantaged persons and a marvelous ‘Gul Bagicha’ made the college an ideal place to impart collegiate education. Besides, to craft the career of the students and to turn them self-reliant, three add-on courses have been introduced from current session. Further, the authority is planning to set Arsenic free water supply, Multi Gymnasium, Departmental Library, Indoor Games Unit to promote all round development of the students.
After twelve years of establishment, the college is trying to emerge as a centre of all-round development of students. Result of students in University Examinations is satisfactory. Students are respectful, obedient and believe in the tradition of peace and communal harmony that the college is proud of.
Preparing a Self Study Report invariably opens up manifolds roots to self-realisation. It indeed is an extended process of introspection and retrospection as well. It is really a challenge for the entire team Hazi A K Khan College to reflect judiciously on the vision so framed, if at all they could be achieved! So it’s time to delve deep into the aspects while formulating the report. The College is in a way of steady progress and aspires to fulfill its founding vision in years to come to be a quality institution.
