The Cotton College (now Cotton University) founded in the year 1901 by Sir Henry Stedman Cotton is the oldest premiere institution in Assam and Northeast India.

The college was affiliated under Gauhati University in the year 1948 and later upgraded to a university in 2011 and renamed as Cotton College State University by an Assam government act.

Assam chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma was also an alumnus of this historic institution.  Expressing his gratitude,  The Minister wrote on Twitter, “My alma mater Cotton College ~ Now Cotton University, grows 120 years young! I learnt the ABC of life & politics at this pious temple of knowledge. I shall forever remain indebted to all that I gained here. Many old memories I savor, and cherish forever. My greetings to all.”

On the occasion of its 121^st Foundation day, a virtual celebration was organised on Thursday . The event started with the welcome speech by the Registrar, Prof. Diganta Kumar Das, and the inaugural speech by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bhabesh Chandra Goswami.

The Foundation Day Lecture was delivered by Prof. DN Buragohain, Professor Emeritus and Former Director, IIT Guwahati. In his speech on the topic ‘Self-reliant India’, Buragohain observed how Indians were under confident but extremely gifted and bright.

A video clip with a message from Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma was played during the event. The clip explains his personal connect with the institution and his emotions as a former Cottonian. Later his  Twitter handle messages for the occasion were read by the programme’s anchor, Dr Sangeeta Barthakur,

Education Minister of Assam, Ranoj Pegu, chaired the virtual event as the Chief Guest. During his address, he congratulated the entire Cotton fraternity and expressed his enthusiasm about inheriting the glory of the historic institution for the future generation in his position as the Minister of Education.

Hirak Jyoti Patowary, President of Cotton University Students’ Union(2019-20), shared his experiences as a Union body member and respect for the institution.

As a part of celebration, the students who achieved laurels in academics, sports and cultural fields were acknowledged. Also two faculty members, a research scholar and an alumni were praised for excellence in their fields and for being honoured with awards.

A vote of Thanks was delivered by Assistant General Secretary, CUSU (2019-20), Abhilasha Neog.

“The program was attended a large number of faculty, students, officers, non-faculty staff, retired faculty, alumni, executive committee members, academic council members, and media representatives via online mode.“ said a university spokesperson.