B.D. College, Patna

The Department of Economics at Bhuwaneshwari Dayal (B.D.) College, Mithapur, Patna is a premier academic unit dedicated to the study of economic theories, policies, and their applications, with a special focus on the developmental challenges and opportunities in Bihar and India. The department’s infrastructure is designed to foster a comprehensive learning environment, blending theoretical rigor with empirical analysis, and aligning with the standards set by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), and the Patliputra University Patna (PPU).

1. Academic and Research Facilities

The department is housed in a modern wing of the college, featuring smart classrooms equipped with projectors, audio-visual systems, and interactive whiteboards. These facilities facilitate innovative teaching methodologies, including data visualization, economic simulations, and guest lectures from renowned economists via video conferencing. The departmental library is a vital resource, boasting a curated collection of over 2,000 books, including classical economic texts, contemporary research publications, and region-specific studies on Bihar’s economy. Subscriptions to leading journals like Economic and Political Weekly, Journal of Economic Literature, and Reserve Bank of India Bulletin ensure access to cutting-edge research and policy analysis.

2. Digital and Technological Resources

To integrate traditional economic study with modern computational tools, the department maintains a dedicated computer lab with high-speed internet connectivity. The lab is equipped with software for statistical and econometric analysis, such as STATA, SPSS, EViews, and R, enabling students to work with real-world data sets on topics like poverty, agricultural productivity, and industrial growth. Access to online databases like CEIC, World Bank Open Data, and IMF eLibrary allows students and faculty to explore global and national economic indicators. The department also utilizes a Learning Management System (LMS) for distributing study materials, assignments, and feedback, ensuring a seamless academic experience.

3. Research and Collaboration Spaces

The department promotes research through its Center for Development Economics, which provides dedicated workstations for faculty and postgraduate students. Collaboration with institutions like the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI), Patna, and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) facilitates fieldwork, surveys, and policy evaluation projects. The department’s seminar hall, equipped with modern presentation tools and seating for 150 participants, hosts workshops, conferences, and lectures on themes such as rural development, fiscal policy, and economic reforms.

4. Practical Learning and Engagement

A distinctive feature of the department is its Economic Data Analysis Lab, where students engage in hands-on projects using primary and secondary data to analyze local economic issues. The department also maintains a A distinctive feature of the department is its Economic Data Analysis Lab, where students engage in hands-on projects using primary and secondary data to analyze local economic issues. The department also maintains a policy archive with government reports, budget documents, and economic surveys, serving as a resource for research and reference. Field visits to agricultural farms, industrial units, and financial institutions provide students with practical insights into the functioning of the economy.policy archive with government reports, budget documents, and economic surveys, serving as a resource for research and reference. Field visits to agricultural farms, industrial units, and financial institutions provide students with practical insights into the functioning of the economy.

5. Community Engagement and Outreach

The infrastructure supports extension activities such as financial literacy camps, entrepreneurship development workshops, and policy advocacy programs. Students participate in community outreach initiatives, including internships with government agencies, NGOs, and microfinance institutions. The department’s digital repository of research papers and policy briefs is accessible to researchers, policymakers, and the public, fostering broader engagement with economic issues.

6. Safety and Accessibility

The department prioritizes safety and inclusivity, with wheelchair-accessible entrances, fire safety systems, and secure storage for archival materials. Digitization efforts ensure the preservation of rare documents, while climate-controlled environments protect physical collections.

7. Future Initiatives

Plans for expansion include a behavioral economics lab for experimental research, partnerships with international universities for collaborative studies, and the development of an economic policy incubator to address grassroots economic challenges in Bihar.
In summary, the Department of Economics at B.D. College combines traditional resources like libraries and archives with modern digital tools and practical learning spaces to create an enriching academic environment. This infrastructure not only supports rigorous scholarship but also empowers students to engage meaningfully with the economic and developmental challenges of Bihar and India.