One of the oldest degree colleges in Hyderabad, Badruka College of Commerce and Arts (BCCA) was established in 1950. This once-fully-government aided college is affiliated to Osmania University (OU). Founded by philanthropist Raja Bankatlal Badruka under the banner, Seth Ghasiram Gopikishan Badruka Educational Society, the institution has been quick to establish exclusive colleges for disciplines like information technology, management studies, foreign trade and professional studies.
This college with a sprawling campus on the very busy Kachiguda Station Road has many firsts to its credit. It was the first college to start an evening college to cater to higher educational needs of government employees. “We have a pass percentage of over 98 per cent and top all OU colleges. Also, out of every five senior practicing chartered accountants in Hyderabad, three would be from Badruka,” says P Venkateshwara Rao, principal of the college. BCCA was granted ‘4 stars’ accreditation by National Assessment and Accreditation Council in 2002 for a period of five years. In 2008, the accreditation was renewed for another five years with a ‘B grade’.
The college was fully aided by the government earlier — 36 faculty members were remunerated on government pay scales. But since 1997, government has not recruited anyone. At present, out of the 36, only 12 faculty members belong to the aided category. Management had to recruit their own staff at lesser pay. Now a total of 48 members teach at the institution.Courses offered
The college offers courses in BCom (general) in six sections. BCom (computers) was started in 1998, BCom (hons) in 2005 and bachelor’s in business administration (BBA) in 2010. While BCom (general) remains the only aided course at present, all admissions are done according to the guidelines of Osmania University. “For BCom (hons), admissions are through Osmania University counselling and entrance examinations. Our students have always secured at least five out of 10 ranks in university exams,” says Rao.
The course fee per annum for BCom (general) is about `3,500 whereas for other self-financing courses, the fee comes to around `20,000. Around 1,000-odd students attend day college and 600-odd youngsters come in the afternoon. The college runs both morning and afternoon shifts between 10am and 4pm following the AP Government’s decision to abolish evening colleges in 1988. BCom (honours) students have to submit a final-year project where as BBA students are required to do a three-month summer internship after their second year.
Infrastructure
The main block of the college is housed in an impressive heritage building. The remaining three buildings comprise spacious classrooms equipped with LCD screens and projectors, library with printed as well as electronic resources, reading rooms, conference halls, four computer labs and separate English and Language labs apart from an audio-visual lab with several audio and video CDs and an auditorium. The college operates a girls’ hostel and also houses a bank and canteen.
Extracurricular activities
BCCA has an Army Wing National Cadet Corps (NCC) Infantry company affiliated to 5A Battalion with group headquarters at Hyderabad. Cadets from the college attend military training with regular forces. Bimla Goswamy, a C-Certificate holder was commissioned into Indian Army as a lieutenant. BCCA has four National Service Scheme (NSS) units. Working in collaboration with various units of OU, special camps in slums are regularly organised. The college also holds cultural programmes to celebrate the institute’s annual day as well as conducts an induction day for freshers.
Students from the college have represented OU in national-level competitions and secured several medals. P Nitin Sai participated in a national-level fencing contest. Piyush, a student under the sports quota, was sanctioned an honorarium of `22,000 from Air Force Academy. The college also runs a counselling and career guidance cell, cell for prevention of sexual harassment and ragging and a women empowerment cell.
Placements
The placement and grooming division holds various programmes for empowerment of skills and corporate preparedness for soon-to-be graduates. The campus recruitment training programme has led to an increase in the number of placements over the years. Companies like ADP, LAVA International, Google, Wells Fargo, Apollo Health Street, Templeton, Cognizant, Fact Set, Genpact, MOL, Zomato, GE Capital Retail and Finance, HDFC, IBM, KPMG, United Health Group, Bank of America, South Indian Bank, TR Chadha & Co (CA) are regulars to the campus. “Over 165 students of BCom 2012-13 have been placed in various companies so far from around 50 per cent of the students who seek jobs,” says the college principal.
Alumni
Till date, about 80,000 students have graduated from BCCA. An alumni meet is organised every year. “We get our past students to interact with the present batch every year and share their enormous experience and expertise, which will also guide students in the right direction,” says Rao.
— rahul.v@newindianexpress.com