Governor MC Bhandare presents an award to Chandra Sekhar Biswal (right), a student, on the 70th foundation day of Utkal University in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 27: Amid complaints of faculty shortage and inadequate infrastructure, the Utkal University today celebrated its 70th foundation day pledging to continue its efforts to be on par with the many specialised educational institutions coming up around the state.

Speaking of the universities’ past achievements, vice-chancellor of the university P.K. Sahoo said how the varsity had contributed a number of scientists to the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

“Besides, our students are working as faculty members in all central universities of the country, the IITs, IIMs and some leading universities of the world,” he said.

The senior official, however, admitted that a series of problems were plaguing the varsity.

“Though we have many reasons to be proud of our past, today we are a worried lot. We no longer attract great faculty and brilliant students,” he said.

“The crippling vacancies in teaching and non-teaching departments, the ailing infrastructure, lack of adequate support from the state, the difficulty of raising fee, the lack of enthusiasm for transforming our institution and belief in our ability— all these have combined to create a negative outlook for the future,” said Sahoo.

The varsity is now left with 89 vacancies that the state government has promised to fill up very soon.

“The advertisements for recruitment will be out very soon,” the vice-chancellor said.

“The Utkal University needs to be a complete one despite the establishment of a number of specialised universities by the government. It should not be reduced to an examining body,” said the vice-chancellor adding that efforts should be made to rationalise and review manpower planning, recruit teachers of high calibre and other staff to put the engine back on track.

Speaking on the occasion, registrar D. Jena spoke of the several initiatives taken to revive the sagging fortunes of the varsity.

Pointing to the varsity’s effort to improve functioning, he spoke of the introduction of semester system — particularly the choice-based credit semester system — both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the online Utkal University examination management system and faculty training programme to upgrade IT skills of teachers among others.

The authorities said that work was on to strengthen IT infrastructure, create WiFi campus, introduce smart and virtual classrooms for distant learners and improve e-library and e-learning sources.

The need to add to the physical infrastructure of the varsity were also discussed.

Speaking of this year’s achievements, the authorities spoke of the impressive placement activities.

“The placement activities in the university during the last one year has seen major organisations such as TCS, Mahindra, Satyam, Wipro, Bank of Baroda, United Bank of India, Aditya Birla, Madison Street Capital, Pradan, TCG Life Sciences, Hindustan, Coca Cola and NTPC,” said the registrar, adding that the varsity this year produced 245 PhD scholars.