Students at a self-financing course at BJB Autonomous College in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, May 29: The row over granting affiliation to various self-financing courses under BJB Autonomous College has been resolved with vice-chancellor of Utkal University P.K. Sahu declaring that registration numbers would soon be given to students enrolled in these courses.

This decision has brought cheers among the students, who had earlier staged protests demanding recognition of the courses from the university. They had alleged that they took admission into the five-year integrated self-financing courses when it began in 2007, assuming that the courses were being offered by the BJB Autonomous College.

However, soon after the classes began, they realised it was a “collaborative” venture between the college and two private organisations called Heritage Vision and Pratibha Education Trust. The students then also realised that the courses were yet to receive affiliation. Many students, who were planning to quit the courses midway, were unable to do so since they did not have the requisite registration number to get transferred to other colleges.

Last week, at a meeting with college principal Dusmanta Sahu, Utkal University’s vice-chancellor took the decision for granting affiliation to the courses while imposing a few conditions. “The vice-chancellor has confirmed that they (students of the self-financing courses) are now bonafide students of BJB Autonomous College, which is affiliated to Utkal University. We have furnished all necessary documents to the university officials and registration numbers would be provided to the students without any further delay,” said the principal.

However, the two private establishments would have to seek permission from Utkal University for running the courses from this academic session onwards. They would also need to renew the affiliation every year so that the students can continue their studies without any hitch,” Sahu said. He added the students have been informed about the latest developments. They are satisfied with the university’s decision.

“We are feeling relieved now. We had been waiting for registration numbers for long. This time, we hope the authorities will fulfil their promises,” said a student of electronics and telecommunications course.