Latest news with #UtkalUniversity
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha government invites applications for V-C posts in 13 state universities
BHUBANESWAR: The Higher Education department on Wednesday set in motion the process to appoint vice-chancellors (V-Cs) to 13 public universities of the state. This effectively means, after a gap of three years, new vice-chancellors will be appointed to the state universities. With the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024 coming into force, the department has invited applications from eligible academicians. The appointments are being sought for the V-C posts which are either vacant and being managed by in-charge V-Cs, or those which will be vacant in the next three to four months. The institutions include Utkal University,Ravenshaw University, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanjadeo (MSCB) University, Gangadhar Meher University, Fakir Mohan University, Khallikote University, Shri Jagannath Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya, Rama Devi Women's University, Rajendra University, Dharanidhar University, Vikram Dev University, Madhusudan Law University, and Maa Manikeswari University. Appointment of V-Cs in public universities was stalled in May 2022 following a stay on the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2020 by the Supreme Court since the law formulated by the previous BJD government violated the University Grants Commission's guidelines on V-C appointment. Under the previous law, V-Cs were appointed for a period of four years or till they attained the age of 70. With the legislation stayed, when V-Cs retired, the government either extended their tenure, or allowed the posts to be managed by seniormost professor of the university or V-Cs of neighbouring universities.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Govt starts process to hire VCs for 13 varsities
Bhubaneswar: Govt on Wednesday invited applications for the appointment of vice-chancellors of 13 state universities. The universities were facing difficulty in making important policy decisions and conducting faculty recruitment due to the lack of permanent VCs and faculty members, which the TOI had highlighted in a series of reports. The higher education department has invited applications from eligible applicants for VCs of 13 state public universities — Utkal University and Rama Devi Women's University, Bhubaneswar, Ravenshaw University and Madhusudan Law University, Cuttack, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanjadeo University, Baripada, Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, Khallikote Unitary University, Berhampur, Shree Jagannath Sanskrit University, Puri, Rajendra University in Balangir, Dharanidhar University in Keonjhar, Vikram Dev University, Jeypore, and Maa Manikeshwari University, Kalahandi. VC appointment is necessary to start the process for the recruitment of faculty members. Teaching and research work have been affected due to the lack of faculty members. Candidates must submit their applications by July 5. Applications are invited from eligible applicants below 66 years of age on Dec 1, 2025, for the VC posts. "Applicants intending to apply for more than one university must submit a single application clearly indicating their order of preference, with the most preferred university listed first," read the official notification. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The notification stated the order of preference must also be clearly specified in the Higher Education Information Management System (HIMS) module. Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview before a three-member selection committee. The venue and schedule will be communicated in due course, higher education secretary Aravind Agrawal said in the notification. Official sources said the interview dates will be fixed for different universities on different dates, and applicants are required to attend the interview for each university separately. The 2020 amendment Act said all teachers of a university would be appointed through Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). However, the Odisha Universities Amendment Act, 2024, clearly states a selection committee will be formed to recruit faculty members by following UGC guidelines. The committee will be chaired by the vice-chancellor of the university or his/her nominee. The faculty selection committee will include an academic not below the rank of a professor nominated by the chancellor. It will have three subject experts selected by the VC from a panel of names recommended by the syndicate. Other members will include the dean of faculty or head of the department, along with an academic from ST/SC/OBC/women/minority/PWD as per the candidate present, to be nominated by the VC.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Odisha's drought hotspots moving north, west: Study
BHUBANESWAR: Climate change has pushed drought hotspots of Odisha in the west and northward direction with some periods experiencing shorter but sharper impact, a new study has found. In the early 20th century, the hotspots were concentrated in the eastern and southern districts of the state. The global study by 12 institutes and organisations, including six universities from India, UK, Japan, Brazil, UAE and Saudi Arabia and meteorological departments indicated that the westward shift in drought hotspots - from coastal and central Odisha in the early 20th century to northern and western regions in recent decades have been influenced by a combination of shifting monsoon patterns, climate variability and localised land-use changes. The study analysed 120 years of rainfall data to suggest that Odisha has experienced major droughts approximately every eight years since 1866 with recurring impacts noted almost annually in several regions. During the 1970s and 1980s, central and northern districts including Angul, Boudh, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Bargarh, and Mayurbhanj saw a noticeable increase in severe drought events. 'In later decades, particularly the 1990s and 2000s, southern districts such as Nabarangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Nuapada were affected more. This shift appears closely linked to positive phases of the El Niño and negative phases of the southern oscillation index, both of which disrupted monsoon rainfall in the region,' said Prof Shreerup Goswami, head of Geology department, Utkal University.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Hans India
Past not only about history, but gives ideas to deal with today's world: Odisha Guv
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Sunday suggested that Odisha can strengthen its historical ties with Southeast Asian countries by enhancing port infrastructure, adopting green shipping, and promoting digital and cultural connectivity. During his address at the valedictory ceremony of the 3rd International Conference on Indian Cultural Heritage (ICICH) held in Bhubaneswar, Kambhamapati suggested that modern nations can learn new ideas from their glorious heritage. 'The past is not just about history, but gives us useful ideas for dealing with today's world,' said Kambhampati. The Governor also emphasised the enduring relevance of Odisha's maritime heritage in promoting connectivity, cultural exchange, and sustainable development. Speaking on the theme 'Kalinga and Southeast Asia: The Civilisation Connect,' Kambhampati stated that the legacy of ancient Kalinga's maritime endeavours offers important lessons for Southeast Asia in addressing environmental and developmental challenges. 'Odisha's rich history of maritime trade, exploration, and cultural exchange with countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam is not just a matter of pride but a guide for contemporary regional cooperation,' he remarked. He praised the collaborative efforts of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Utkal University, and the Institute of Media Studies for organising the conference, calling it a meaningful step in reconnecting with Odisha's glorious past. The Governor noted that Kalinga, now Odisha, had strong maritime and cultural ties with Southeast Asia for over two thousand years. 'People from this region travelled widely, establishing links whose influence can still be seen today in architecture, inscriptions, customs, and place names,' he said. He emphasised that Kalinga's maritime network played a major role in the spread of Indian culture and religion. 'Temples like Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia show influences of Kalinga's temple architecture. The spread of the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Sanskrit, and the celebration of festivals like Nyepi in Indonesia and Pchum Ben in Cambodia, reflect deep-rooted cultural bonds,' he said. These exchanges, he added, were based on mutual respect and enriched local traditions. He also stressed the need for joint research and heritage education to instil pride in future generations. Among others who addressed the occasion were Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, former Foreign Secretary of India Lalit Mansingh, Principal Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra, and Chairman of the One Asia Foundation, Patita Paban Mishra. The vote of thanks was delivered by Professor Upendra Padhi, Chairman of the 3rd ICICH.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Utkal students seek eviction of encroachers
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Encroachment on the Utkal University campus has not been cleared for a long time, alleged students on Saturday. Around 30 acres out of 398.9 acres of university land have been encroached by slum dwellers. The area, if reclaimed, will help the institute with future expansion, they said. Students said the area behind the two boys' hostels has a slum. A few families were staying there some years ago, but now the size is getting bigger. They have constructed cow sheds, backyard poultry and kitchen gardens on the encroached land. Sachidananda Moharana, a PG student, said slum dwellers of Patharbandha have created a passage by damaging the boundary wall of the university. "They mostly use the road passing through the university campus. Sometimes non-students create a ruckus on the campus and use the route to flee," he added. He said a few family members of some retired employees are also staying in the staff quarters. Apart from the slum, he said, some staff quarters have been used unauthorisedly by people from outside. "Why are they not being evicted from the university campus?" he asked. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Saswat Anurag Sahu, another PG student, alleged that some university staff don't leave the staff quarters even after retirement. "Some of the serving staff, staying outside the campus in apartments, put the staff quarters on rent. Outsiders staying in the staff quarters on rent misuse the facilities for illegal work. Recently, drugs were seized from a staff quarter," he added. Students have been demanding closing of the porous boundary walls for the sake of security. Debesh Dash, a law student, said outsiders enter the university via three sides and create problems on the campus. "What's the point of guarding two gates with security systems if our boundaries are open in three places?" he added. "I do not know why a slum is on the campus. Why is it not being shifted? We want our campus to have closed boundaries with properly guarded gates and be free from encroachment," said another student. Students have staged protests in front of the office of the vice-chancellor several times earlier, demanding restrictions on the entry of outsiders, security on the campus, and an encroachment-free campus. The last protest was on April 24. Registrar Mrutyunjay Panda told TOI that the university has raised the issue with the state govt several times. "Former VC Sabita Acharya wrote letters to the govt to resolve the encroachment issue," he added.
