BPEd course: After UGC nod, Bihar Sports University seeks NCTE approval

NEW DELHI: Bihar Sports University (BSU), situated in a 90-acre campus in Rajgir, Bihar, has recently received recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC). The institution which combines a sports university and an academy at the same location was inaugurated by chief minister Nitish Kumar on August 29, 2024.

Under the leadership of its newly appointed vice chancellor Shishir Sinha, the university is currently establishing its academic framework. But Rajanikant, the registrar of BSU, revealed that faculty recruitment remains a challenge.

Talking to Careers360, Rajanikant said: “We need a dean. Only after the dean joins, we will be able to formulate a curriculum”. The university will also be applying for National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) recognition. “If we get the recognition, it will happen for the next academic year,” he added.

Rajanikant, an IAS officer who had taken voluntary retirement before joining BSU continued with an additional charge of officiating as vice-chancellor till Shishir Sinha was appointed VC of the university on November 10.

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UGC mandate, staff crunch

The university presently is facing challenges with staff recruitment. “The courses that we can start as per the UGC mandate can happen only if we get the teachers. We have asked the government to sanction faculty positions. Once these posts are approved, we will begin the appointment process,” Rajanikant said. The university hopes to get clarity within two months.

Currently, only the VC, registrar and examination controller positions are in place. A few office staff members have been hired on a contractual basis. The university plans to finalise its academic programmes by May 2025 with classes set to begin in July 2025.

The university intends to offer several programmes, undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma. “These programmes include diploma/postgraduate diploma (PGD) in sports coaching in two or three games, diploma/postgraduate diploma in yoga, four years bachelor of physical education (BPEd) (subject to recognition from the NCTE),” a statement of the university said.

State-of-the-art infrastructure

Despite the early challenges, BSU boasts of world-class infrastructure, including an international sports complex capable of training students across 24 sports disciplines. Players will be provided training, accommodation and medical facilities as per the statement.

A major project is an international cricket stadium, currently under construction, which is expected to be fully functional in five months. The sports academy is overseen by Raveendran Sankaran who is also the director general and CEO of the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA). He has been appointed as the director of the sports academy, said Kant.

With its infrastructure, administrative focus, and upcoming projects, the university aims to contribute significantly to sports education and professional athlete development in the country, Kant further explained.

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Sports universities in India

Apart from the new upcoming state sports university in Bihar, India has six more dedicated sports universities of which one is a central university. These are:

National Sports University (NSU): NSU in Imphal, Manipur, was established in 2018. It is the first and only central university in India dedicated exclusively to sports education, training, and research.

SRI SRI ANIRUDDHADEVA SPORTS UNIVERSITY (SSASU): SSASU established in 2018 in Chabua, Assam, offers a range of programmes designed to develop skilled professionals in the sports domain. It offers bachelor of physical education (BPEd), a four-year honours programme focusing on comprehensive physical education and sports training. Postgraduate diploma in sports coaching (PGDSC). It also offers PhD in sports-related disciplines for research in various areas of sports sciences and physical education.

SWARNIM GUJARAT SPORTS UNIVERSITY (SSGU): Established in 2011, SGSU offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes focused on sports education and management, such as bachelor of business administration (BBA) in sports management, BBA in event management with specialisation in sports, BSc in sports coaching, BPES., and master of physical education (MPEd).

Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior: The Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) in Gwalior, established in 1957, is one of the earliest institutions focused on physical education.

Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University (TNPESU): TNPESU is a state university established in 2005 in Chennai and offers undergraduate courses like BPEd, BSc in exercise physiology and nutrition, and bachelor of business administration (BBA) in sports management. Postgraduate programmes include MPEd, MSc in sports biomechanics and kinesiology, and MBA in sports management.

Delhi Sports University: Established in 2020 by the Delhi government, India’s first woman Olympic medalist, Padma Shri K Malleswari, is its vice-chancellor. The university offers specialised courses in sports medicine, sports technology, sports business, sports events, and media management. It focuses on training students for Olympic sports.