Principal’s Message
Surya Sen Mahavidyalaya: A Journey of Excellence, Commitment and Inclusive Education
Surya Sen Mahavidyalaya (SSM), a co-educational institution located in Siliguri, was established on 15 September 1998 with the vision of providing accessible and quality higher education to the students of the region. As one of the first five premier co-educational colleges of Siliguri, the institution has been affiliated with the University of North Bengal since its inception and is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under Sections 2(f) and 12(B). The College is also ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2018 certified and accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
Legacy and Institutional Foundation
The establishment of Surya Sen Mahavidyalaya was made possible through the vision, dedication and collective efforts of several philanthropists and well-wishers of Siliguri. The SSM fraternity gratefully remembers the contribution of Late Bikash Ghosh, the then Mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation and the first President of the Governing Body of the College (15 September 1998–27 December 2001), whose efforts played a significant role in laying the foundation of the institution.His vision was further carried forward by Late Swapan Kumar Sarkar, the second President of the Governing Body, under whose leadership the aspiration of establishing the institution on its own campus at Surya Sen Colony was realized.
The College began its academic journey on 15 September 1998, with its morning shift functioning under the leadership of Late Dr. JanhabiBhusan Bose, the In-charge Principal. The first meeting of the Organising Committee was held on 25 September 1998, graced by Sri Ashoke Bhattacharya, the then Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Municipal Affairs and Urban Development, Government of West Bengal.The institution remains deeply grateful to the T. C. Mittal Memorial Trust for its unconditional support and financial assistance towards the construction of the present Academic and Administrative Block, which has been named the T. C. Mittal Memorial Block, the first academic building of the institution.
Over the years, the College has also benefited from the support and encouragement of several individuals and organizations, including Sri Gautam Deb, the then Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, NBDD and Tourism; Sri Ajit Agarwala, Trustee, Amit Agrawala Trust; Late Krishna Chandra Paul, former President of the Governing Body; Sri Satya Narayan Garg and Smt. Bimla Devi Garg, among others.
The College gratefully acknowledges the continued CSR support extended by the P. C. Chandra Group since 2019, particularly towards books, infrastructural development and drinking-water facilities for students. We are equally thankful to Union Bank of India, Deshbandhupara Branch; Bandhan Bank, S. F. Road Branch; and Axis Bank, Siliguri Branch, for their CSR assistance in providing drinking-water facilities for students and staff.
Academic Excellence and Student-Centred Education
Surya Sen Mahavidyalaya has steadily evolved into an institution committed to academic excellence, inclusive education and holistic development. The College offers undergraduate programmes across the Arts, Science and Commerce streams and is committed to creating an enabling academic environment for students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.In accordance with the directives of the Higher Education Department, Government of West Bengal, and the academic framework approved by the University of North Bengal, the College has implemented the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Our academic vision goes beyond classroom instruction. We seek to equip students with knowledge, skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, leadership qualities and ethical values, enabling them to become responsible citizens and competent professionals.The College has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen the teaching-learning process and academic infrastructure. The library automation process has been completed, and the process of developing an Institutional Repository has been initiated. A high-tech Language Laboratory, established under the aegis of the Department of English, is operational for developing students’ communication and language skills. Digital classrooms are available across departments to facilitate technology-enabled and blended teaching-learning.
Co-curricular and Extra-curricular Development
The College firmly believes that education is incomplete without opportunities for students to participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Our NSS volunteers and NCC cadets have consistently participated in social outreach, community engagement and nation-building activities.The College takes particular pride in the achievements of NSS Unit II, which has received recognition from the Hon’ble President of India as one of the Best NSS Units of the Country. Our NSS volunteers have also received recognition as Best Volunteers from the Higher Education Department, Government of West Bengal.The achievements of our NCC cadets are equally commendable. Since 2023, our cadets have represented the institution at the Republic Day Camp (RDC) Parade in New Delhi, while several cadets have also been selected for the Thal Sainik Camp (TSC).
Our students have also distinguished themselves in sports and other activities and have received awards and scholarships from the Sports Board, University of North Bengal. These accomplishments reflect the College’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded personalities.
Faculty Development and Research
The College recognizes that academic excellence is closely linked to the continuous professional development of its faculty members. Our teachers actively engage in research, academic publications, seminars, webinars and conferences at regional, national and international levels.
The Research and Development Cell plays an important role in strengthening the research culture of the institution. It regularly organizes Faculty Development Programmes and skill-development initiatives aimed at enhancing the academic, research and professional capabilities of faculty members.Through these initiatives, the College seeks to create a vibrant academic environment where teaching, research, innovation and knowledge-sharing complement one another.
Vision for the Future
As the Principal of Surya Sen Mahavidyalaya, I firmly believe that the progress of an institution is ultimately reflected in the academic achievements, creativity, leadership, sportsmanship, cultural accomplishments and ethical values of its students. The holistic development of students therefore remains at the heart of our institutional vision.The College is fortunate to receive the continued support of its management and stakeholders in promoting the academic and professional development of students, faculty and staff. We remain committed to providing quality education that prepares our students to compete confidently in an increasingly interconnected world.
Our endeavour is not merely to produce graduates, but to nurture responsible citizens, capable professionals and socially conscious individuals who can contribute meaningfully to society and respond effectively to the challenges of a rapidly changing world. In this endeavour, the ideals of academic excellence, inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, social responsibility and lifelong learning remain our guiding principles.As we continue our journey, we look forward to strengthening our academic infrastructure, expanding opportunities for research and innovation, promoting greater community engagement, and creating an even more enriching learning environment for our students.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all students, faculty members, non-teaching staff, alumni, Governing Body members, parents, well-wishers and other stakeholders who have contributed to the growth and development of Surya Sen Mahavidyalaya.
Together, let us continue to build an institution that combines academic excellence with human values and prepares our young learners to contribute meaningfully to society and the nation.
DR. PRANAB KUMAR MISHRA
M.A. (Gold Medal), M.Phil, Ph.D
LL.B, M.A. (P.M.I.R.)
Principal
Educational Background
Ph. D in Sociology from Nagpur University on "Industrial Development and Social Change" - A sociological study of impact of industrialization on social institutions in Nagpur city. 2002
M.A in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations from North Orissa University, Baripada. 2002
Bachelors Degree in Law from Utkal University. 1996.
M.Phil in Sociology from Nagpur University, 1993
M.A in Sociology from Nagpur University, 1992
B.A. (Sociology Hons) from Utkal University, 1990.
Scholastic Achievements:
Conferred 4th position in M.A. (PMIR) Examination, 2002, North Orissa University, Baripada.
Conferred Gold Medal for having stood First in M.A, Sociology,1992.Nagpur University, Nagpur
Conferred 7th Position in B.A ( Hons) examination, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar (1990)
EXPERIENCE SUMMARY
23+ Years of functional experience in Academic, Administration & Research.
Workshops / Seminars / Conferences / Training Programs Attended:
Participated in the workshop on ' International Humanitarian Law', organized by International Committee for Red Cross and Sikkim (Central) University, December 9-11th 2009.
Presented Paper on 'Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children' in a National Conference, organized by Meghasan College, Nudadiha, Sponsored by University Grants Commission on 26-27 December, 2009.
Participated in the Workshop on 'Research Methodology on Health', Organized by US-India Education Society, and Government of Sikkim from 26-28th April 2010.
Participated in the Workshop on 'Research Methodology'; jointly organized by ICSSR (NE) & Sikkim (Central) University, August 20-23rd 2010.
Presented a Paper on " North-Eastern India: Educational Development and Problems" at the 19th Annual Conference cum Seminar of North East India Educational Society ( NEIES), organized by Harkayamaya College of Education, Gangtok, on 27 & 28 June 2011.
Presented a Paper on " Women & Domestic Violence: An Empirical Study" at the National Seminar , Organized by Department of Political Science, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha on 22nd & 23rd January 2012.
Presented a Paper on " Importance of Statistics in Library & Information Sciences" at the U.G.C & C.R.O, Bhopal ; Sponsored National Seminar on "Changing Scenario of Library & Information Science Education In India" , Organized by Department of Library & Information Sciences, Thakur Ranmat Singh ( Auto) College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh on 26th February 2012.
Presented a Paper on "Information Technology Policy And Trade In Global Market (With Special Reference to Sikkim) at the National Seminar Organized by Deptt. of Commerce, Sikkim Govt. College, Tadong on 27 -28th March 2012.
Attended 6th Principal's Workshop organized by Academic Staff College, Jawaharlal Nehru University, 21st-24th ,January 2013.
Presented a Paper on "Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI): An Innovation in Modern Teaching Learning Process" at the NAAC Sponsored National Seminar on " Strategies for Enhancing the Quality in Teacher Education Programme" Organized by Harkamaya College of Education, Tadong on 29 -30th April 2013. [ ISBN No. 978-93-82359-25-8 (Print) / ISBN No. 978-93-82359-24-1 (E-book)]
Attended Orientation Programme on "Planning and Management of Higher Education Institutions for College Principals of Educationally Backward Districts" organized by Deptt. of Higher & Professional Education, National University of Educational Planning & Administration (NUEPA), New Delhi from September, 30 - October,5; 2013.
Presented a paper entitled " Immigrants in South Asia: A Study on the Impact of Bangladeshi Immigrants on the local People in Kendrapara District in Odisha" at the International Interdisciplinary Conference on Human Resource Mobility in South Asia, orgainized by Deptt. of Geography, Sikkim Government College, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim on 18-19th October 2013.
Co-chaired in the technical session - IV on " Human Trafficking : Issues and Challenges in South Asia" at the International Interdisciplinary Conference on Human Resource Mobility in South Asia, orgainized by Deptt. of Geography, Sikkim Government College, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim on 18-19th October 2013.
Invited by Education Department, Govt. of Gujarat , attended two days' National Education Submit' on 'Towards Educating Young India' organized jointly by Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat , and various Universities / Institutions in Gujarat at Mahatma Mandir , Gandhinagar on 10th and 11th January, 2014.
Presented a paper on "Regional Disparities and Human Resource Development in Odisha", at the National Interdisciplinary Seminar on 'Integrated Regional Planning and Human resource Development in India: Efforts, Achievement and Challenges', organized by Deptt. of Geography, Parishkar College of Global Excellence, Jaipur, Rajasthan in collaboration with Indian Human Ecology Council (CHEC-India) India Chapter of Commonwealth Human Ecology Council, London on 11th February 2014.
Participated at the Two days Orientation Programme for Coordinators held on 21st & 22nd March 2014 organised by Inidra Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) , Regional Centre , Gangtok.
Participated at the Five days Orientation Programme on "Planning and Management of Higher Education Institutions" for College Principals of NE Region held during 16- 20th June 2014 at NEHU, Shillong, organised by NUEPA, New-Delhi.
Organizing Secretary, ICSSR Assisted National Seminar on " Life Skills Education : Prospects & Challenges", held on 30th & 31st July 2014, organized by Harkamaya College of Education, Gangtok.
Presented a paper on "Rural Women Empowerment Through Self-Help Groups", at the National Interdisciplinary Seminar on 'Rural Empowerment in India: Efforts, Achievements and Constraints', organized by Deptt. of Geography, Government College , Rhenock, Sponsored by ICSSR and HRDD, Govt. of Sikkim, on 15th November, 2014.
Presented a paper on "Higher Education at Cross Road", at the National Seminar organized by Deptt. of Education, Ravenshaw University , Cuttack, Odisha on 26th and 27th December 2014.
Participated at the Seminar on "Time Management for Effective Teaching: A Vision or An Illusion", organized by ASTHA School of Management , Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 11th January 2015.
Participated in the work shop on " A Psycho-Social Enquiry into Suicide : Suggestions and Interventions", Organised by Deptt. of Sociology, Sikkim University in collaboration with Deptt. of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Sikkim from 28th -29th May 2015.
Working Committee Member ( Article Review Editorial Board) in the Inter-disciplinary National Seminar on ' Rural Empowerment in India: Efforts, Implementation and Challenges' organized by Department of Geography, Government Post-Graduate College, Baran, Rajasthan, 0n August 28th ,2015.
Participated One day work shop on ' Knowing IQAC', organized by IQAC , Sikkim University on 28th August 2015.
Working Committee Member in the ICSSR Sponsored Inter-disciplinary National Seminar on ' Regional Disparities in India: Prioritization, Participation and Prospects' organized by Sikkim Government College, Burtuk, Gangtok , 2nd -4th , November 2015.
Presented a paper on ' Regional Disparities and Challenges in Development: A Case Study of Kalahandi District in Odisha' in the ICSSR Sponsored Inter-disciplinary National Seminar on ' Regional Disparities in India: Prioritization, Participation and Prospects' organized by Sikkim Government College, Burtuk, Gangtok , 2nd -4th , November 2015.
Chairperson at the Technical Session-II on the theme ' Social Components of Development in India: Identification, Issues and Strategies' in the ICSSR Sponsored Inter-disciplinary National Seminar on ' Regional Disparities in India: Prioritization, Participation and Prospects' organized by Sikkim Government College, Burtuk, Gangtok , 2nd -4th , November 2015.
Working Committee Member at the National Interdisciplinary Seminar on ' Changing Trends of Tourism and It's Impact on Livelihood' organized by Sikkim Government College, Tadong, Gangtok on 6th November 2015.
Presented a Paper entitled, ' Island Tourism: A Socio-economic Study of Andaman and Nicober Islanders' at the Inter-disciplinary National Seminar organized by Sikkim Government College, Tadong, Gangtok on 6th November 2015.
Presented a Paper entitled ' Women Empowerment Through Microenterprises in Odisha: A Case Study of SHGs' at the National Seminar organized by NIRD-PR ( NERC), Guwahati held on 7-8th December, 2015.
National / International Publications:
'Industrial Development and Social Change'; Himalayan Journal of Social Sciences, ISSN No. 2231-6639; Vol.1, Issue.1, April, 2011.
'Socio-Economic Problems of Rehabilitations in U.I.H.E Project in Odisha' Himalayan Journal of Social Sciences, ISSN No. 2231-6639; Vol.2, Issue.1, April, 2012.
'The Problems of Aged People: A Sociological Study'; Himalayan Journal of Social Sciences, ISSN No. 2231-6639; Vol.3, Issue.1, April, 2013.
'Nicobari Tribe: A Sociological Study'; Wizcraft Journal of Language & Literature ( Print & Online): A Peer-reviewed International Journal of Language and Literature; Vol.2; Issue.2: June 2013. (ISSN No. 2319-4952 (Print). (ISSN No. 2319-4960 (online).
'Women & Domestic Violence: An Empirical Study'; Contemporary Research in India: A Peer reviewed Multi-disciplinary International Journal; Vol.3: Issue-2; June 2013; ISSN No. 2231-2137.
'Marriage System among the Newars in Sikkim'; Research Spectrum: A Peer reviewed National Journal on Language, Literature and Culture; Vol.4. Issue.2.August 2013 .pp.28-33 (ISSN.0976-5964) .
'Job Satisfaction'; IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences; September-October, 2013;( e-ISSN: 2279-0837/ p-ISSN: 2279-0845); Vol.14. Issue No,5; pp.45-54. (Impact Factor: 1.586,-2012)
'Migrants in Gangtok': Himalayan Journal of Social Sciences, ISSN No. 2231-6639; Vol.4, Issue.2,October, 2014.
'Bhutia Tribe in Sikkim: A Sociological Study': With Z.W.Bhutia; IJIRD, ISSN 2278 - 0211 (Online) ,Vol 3 (11), November, 2014.pp.322-326.
'Socio-Economic Status of Bhutia Tribe in Sikkim' .with Z.W.Bhutia: Abhinav National Monthly Refereed Journal of Research in Arts & Education, Online ISSN-2277-1182, Vol 3 (11), November, 2014. pp.10-14.
'Life Skill Education in School Curriculum'; a chapter with M.Mohapatra in the edt, book Life Skill Education: Challenges and Prospects. November 2014. ISBN. 9789383701056.
'Empathy Skill ; a chapter with Ms. A.Sharma in the edt, book Life Skill Education: Need and Importance. November 2014. ISBN. 9789383701063.
'A Sociological Study of Bhutanese Student Migrants and their Economic Behaviour in Sikkim' with S.K.Katel in Himalayan Journal of Social Sciences, ISSN No. 2231-6639; Vol.5, Issue.1, April, 2015, pp.1-18.
'Immigration in South Asia: A Study of the Impact of Bangladeshi Immigrants on Local People in Kendrapara District of Odisha' ; Chapter in edited book on ' Human Resource Mobility in South Asia : Achievement and Implications'; G.B. Books Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi, 2015. Pp.109 - 124. ISBN. 978-93-83930-17-3.
'Drug Addiction in Sikkim : A Sociological Study'; in IRA- International Journal of Management & Social Sciences, V4.(1), pp. 130-141, ISSN- 2455-2267; DOI. http:/dx.doi.org/10.21013/jmss.v4.n1.p.14 ( Impact Factor-2.76), July, 2016.
Edited Books: ( With Prof. P.L.Mohapatra.)
Life Skill Education: Challenges and Prospects. November 2014. ISBN. 9789383701056.
Life Skill Education: Need and Importance. November 2014. ISBN. 9789383701063.
News Paper Publications
'Drug Addiction', The Sikkim Now', Dt. 06/05/2006.
'Globalization: Impact on Indian Society', The Sikkim Now', Dt. 12/07/2006
Members of Professional Bodies:
Life Member, Indian Sociological Society, New Delhi.
Member, East Zone Sociological Promotion Council
Associate Editor, Himalayan Journal of Social Sciences, Gangtok.
Associate Editor, IRA Journal of Management and Social Sciences
Associate Editor, IRA Journal of Education and Multidisciplinary Studies
Member, U.G. Syllabus Framing Committee in Sociology, Sikkim University, 2008,2014
Member, Sikkim University, 1st Review Committee, 2013.
Coordinator, IGNOU Study Centre, Code 2417 from July 2013.
Member, 1st College Development Council, Sikkim University from December 2013 to 2016.
Convener, U.G. & P.G Syllabus Framing Committee in Education, Sikkim University,2014
Member, Board of Studies in Sociology, Sikkim University, 2016.
Professional Experience:
1. Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Indira Gandhi Mahila Mohavidyalaya, Udala, Mayurbhanj, Odisha
2. Principal, Damber Singh College, Samdur, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim-737102
