Bhubaneswar, Sept. 6: Student leaders have set development of the institute as their top agenda for the upcoming elections to the Utkal University students' union.
Smart classrooms, free Wi-Fi services on campus, beautification of the premises and placement drives are among the top priorities for candidates seeking election to the students' union. In December, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) granted A+ grade to the varsity after a gap of nearly 11 years, but the students and candidates feel that the university still lacks proper infrastructure.
'Free Wi-Fi has been a long-standing demand for the university along with digitalisation of the library. Besides, the university has been facing a severe shortage of faculty members. About 70 posts are lying vacant in the varsity and we will take it up with the administration to address the problem. We will work together to boost infrastructure at varsity,' said the RSS-backed ABVP's presidential candidate Ratan Kumar Digal.
Set up in 1943, the university offers 68 courses, including 27 postgraduate courses, at present. The university campus, spread over 397 acres, has more than 3,000 students.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the students said students' union aspirants should take up upgrading facilities at the hostels, which have been lying in neglect for years, instead of making tall claims to get the support of voters.
'Almost all the old hotels need restoration. Cleanliness is not up to the mark. The dispensary functions with only one doctor at present,' said a student. Aspirants have also come up with other agendas such as placement and construction of new hostels.
'There should be hostel facilities for research scholars. Despite being a premier educational institute, the varsity's placement record is poor. We will try to convert all classrooms into smart classrooms,' said the BCJD's presidential candidate for the polls, Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra.
All major student organisations have started campaigning in classes and hostels after finalising candidates for various posts. Utkal University will be the top priority of all students' organisations as this will be the first time that polls will be held in consecutive years in the past six years.
'We have asked the university authorities to restrict the entry of outsiders through proper checking at the gates. Stringent action will be taken against anyone trying to create disturbances,' said deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi.
