North Bengal University (NBU) on Monday introduced a three-year undergraduate course in tea science.

So far, the varsity had been offering postgraduate and post-doctoral (PhD) courses in the field.

“We have introduced tea science, which is a new subject at the undergraduate level. Those studying the course that will be taught on university campus and get a BSc degree in the subject. This is the first time that any university of the country has come up with such a course,” said Subires Bhattacharyya, the vice-chancellor of NBU.

He said that the varsity now had a full course at all levels from undergraduate to post-doctoral in the course.

“We expect students from different parts of Bengal and from other states to come here and join the course,” added the VC.

As of now, 20 seats are available for the tea science undergraduate course. At the department, five faculty members will teach the subject, said sources.

“A number of students have taken admission in the course and online classes will start from Tuesday,” said a faculty member.

Along with Bhattacharyya, state tourism minister Gautam Deb, director (research & quality control) of the Tea Board Biswajit Bera, faculty members and students who have taken admission in the course were present at an event hosted by the varsity to launch the course.

Pranab Ghosh, a former head of the department of tea science, said students studying the subject would have job opportunities in the tea industry.

“Those finishing the course can find jobs in tea estates. It is a job-oriented course and there is scope for higher studies (in the subject) under one roof,” said Ghosh.

The minister appreciated the varsity for introducing this new course.

“NBU is one of the best universities in north Bengal. It has been conducting research work on tea which can help the industry that is considered one of the principal employment providers of the region,” said Deb.