The announcement was made on Thursday during the Chief Minister’s visit to Jogamaya Devi College on the occasion of Saraswati Puja. Addressing college authorities, Banerjee said that while she was supportive of the proposal, legislative and procedural steps could not be initiated during the election period. She assured the principals that the matter would be taken up once the polls were over, provided all formalities were completed smoothly.

According to officials, Banerjee conveyed her consent to the principals of the three colleges and asked them to submit a detailed written proposal through academician Kajari Banerjee. The proposal is expected to outline the academic structure, governance model, and other statutory requirements necessary for the formation of a new university.

Ashutosh College Principal Dr Manas Kabi said the Chief Minister’s response was encouraging and acknowledged a long-standing demand of the institutions. “She is an alumna of the Ashutosh group of colleges and understands our academic legacy. We had requested her to consider establishing a university by bringing these three colleges together, and she has assured us that the process will move forward after the elections,” he said.

Dr Kabi noted that the Ashutosh group of colleges is more than a century old and has played a significant role in higher education in the state. He added that the colleges would soon submit the formal proposal and that the naming of the proposed university would be left to the Chief Minister’s discretion.

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College Principal Dr Apurba Chakraborty said the three institutions share a close academic and administrative bond. “We function as one academic family. The Chief Minister’s visit during a festival and her positive response have sent a strong message to our students and faculty,” he said. Chakraborty confirmed that all three colleges had jointly signed the proposal, describing it as a major milestone.

If approved, the proposed university is expected to enhance academic autonomy, streamline administration, and open new avenues for research and postgraduate studies. Educationists see the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen legacy institutions and expand the state’s higher education landscape.