Balasore, Nov. 29: The higher education department has approved introduction of two subjects — biotechnology and information technology — in the Kuntala Kumari Sabat Women’s College here from the current academic session.

“The college was lagging behind other government colleges here because of the absence of these two subjects. These are much sought-after by the students.

“Now that the department has given its nod to introduce these two subjects, it will inspire students as well as their parents,” said college principal Sachhidananda Tripathy.

Initially, each subject will have an intake of 16 students. Information technology will be a self-financing course with an annual fee of Rs 1,500.

This good news notwithstanding, recent Plus Two graduates of Kuntala Kumari Sabat Women’s College are struggling to find seats in other government colleges as it doesn’t offer science courses at the Plus Three level.

The college authorities said they were at a loss to understand why the higher education department had withheld the permission to start Plus Three science course there, despite obtaining an approval from its regional director.

“About two years ago, an inspection had been carried out by the regional director of higher education, who also sent a suitability report to the department’s director.

“The report was then sent to the top officials of the higher education department, but we have not got the permission as yet,” said Madhusudan Mishra, a college lecturer.

He said the college had adequate infrastructure to accommodate the introduction of a new stream of subjects.

“Several new rooms have been constructed, while laboratories have also been upgraded,” he said.

The principal said that for being unable to start Plus Three science courses, the college was not only being deprived of grants from the University Grants Commission, but also the autonomous status as its present Plus Three student strength was less than 500.