The annual function of the dramatic society of Utkal University Students' Union was held last week. Odia actor Anubhav Mohanty was the chief guest of the event. A number of cultural programmes were held and the winners of various competitions conducted before the event were felicitated. 

Bright students 

Jupiter Science College, Bhubaneswar, recently felicitated its four students, who secured more than 90 per cent in the science stream in Plus Two this year. The students are Debidutta Mohapatra, Manas Ranjan Das, Arijit Parida and Ashlesha Rath. The achievement of the students was commendable as only 27 students from across the state scored above 90 per cent in the Plus Two science stream this year. 

Foundation day

The alumni association of the education department of Ravenshaw University celebrated its 6th foundation day last week. President of the association Yudhisthir Khatua presided over the function. The association members urged the state government to set up an education university for excellence in the subject. 

Saving lives 

The state branch of the Red Cross Society recently celebrated the World Red Cross Day at Odisha University of Agriculture Technology, Bhubaneswar. Governor S.C. Jamir presided over the function and said the association had a big role in saving lives and helping people. He hoped that the young volunteers of Red Cross Society would work more closely with people in the coming years to mitigate emergencies. The students also shared their own experiences at the event. 

Alumni meet

The 1989 batch of Rajdhani College, Bhubaneswar, organised a meeting last week to promote academic excellence and guide the current batch of students in career development. About 50 former students attended the meeting along with the present students of the college. The meeting was convened to reinforce bonding amongst the alumni and to generate funds for the college. 

Medical college 

A review meeting on the progress of the government medical college in Balasore was recently convened under the chairmanship of the higher education minister, Ananta Das. Members of several civil society bodies and representatives of various construction companies took part in the discussion. The minister inquired about the progress of the construction and stressed the appointment of the principal and the superintendent of the college, permanent electricity supply and fulfilment of other conditions that were needed by the MCI (Medical Council of India). The sub-collector will review the ground progress and submit reports on the deficiencies and intervention needed for completion of the project.
New V-C

Sudhakar Panda, former head of the department, applied and analytical economics, Utkal University, and former chairman of the state finance commission, has joined as the first vice-chancellor of the Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar.  The staff members and students of the varsity gave Panda a warm welcome on May 10.