Colleges and universities across the state observed World Aids Day on December 1. Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in association with Orissa State Aids Control Society formed a human chain in which 15,000 tribal students formed a massive red ribbon pledging solidarity with HIV victims. The students took an oath to spread awareness about HIV / AIDS infection and to act as peer educators in their respective communities in remote areas of the state. Students and teachers of Driems School And College Of Nursing also organised an awareness rally. Holding placards and shouting slogans, the students walked a stretch of 5km. Competitions, including essay and slogan writing and poster designing, were held at SOA University. 

Sustainable mining 

A national conference on sustainable mining practices was held at the National Institute of Technology in Rourkela on December 2 and 3. The objective of the seminar was to utilise scientific, technical, educational and research potential of the mineral extraction community to contribute to a sustainable future. General manager, underground mining, at South Eastern Coalfield Limited, S.K. Ranu and Gurudeep Singh, vice-chancellor of Vinobha Bhave University (VBU), Hazaribagh, shared their views on sustainable mining practices. Speakers at the event said mining could become more environmentally sustainable with development of technologies that reduced the impact of mining practices on the environment. The department of mining engineering of the institute conducted the seminar while faculty members A.K. Gorai and D.S. Nimaje coordinated the event. Forty-four delegates presented technical papers.

Old ties 

The department of commerce of the Ravenshaw University inaugurated its alumni association on the occasion of birth anniversary of Rama Devi on December 3. The alumni association was formed on the principles of four Ss — Seva, Sampark, Sahayata and Sachetana. The department also launched the cover of its yearly journal — Ravenshaw International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Commerce. The first volume will be released in the third week of March 2017. A team of commerce graduates of 1986 batch had undertaken a special drive to form the alumni association to strengthen the Ravenshaw commerce fraternity who are now working across the world.

PR exercise 

Indian Institute of Mass Communicaiton, Dhenkanal, recently hosted a training programme for public relations officers of the state government. Senior journalist Arun Panda said public relations was a job of loyalty and high responsibility and the major role of the profession was to bridge the gap between public servants and the public. The aim of the programme was to acquaint the officers with the practical application of public relations as a profession. Students, staff members of the institute shared their opinions about various facets relating to public relations in the valedictory session of the five-day training programme.

Special people’s day 

Around 300 students from BJB College in Bhubaneswar took part in various activities on the occasion of International Day of Persons With Disabilities on December 3. Swabhiman, an organisation from Bhubaneswar, hosted a programme where students were encouraged to take part in mouth and foot painting. A quiz was held on films themed on disability and a message board was placed for the visitors for feedback. The organisation also hosted a similar event at UN Autonomous College, Adaspur, where around 100 students, including 25 differently-abled students, took part. 

Teacher’s farewell 

The department of anthropology and sociology of Sambalpur University organised a farewell function for its retiring professor Deepak Behera recently. The students shared their thoughts on their memories associated with their teacher. Behera advised the students to work hard and told them that he would often visit the varsity to give lectures. The vice-chancellor also attended the meeting.

Research partners

International Management Institute (IMI) Bhubaneswar organised a two-day international conference on India, China and the New World Order: Economic, Social and Cultural Dimensions in collaboration with Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences, China, on November 26-27. Ramesh Behl, the director of IMI, highlighted the need for academic collaborative research between India and China. Yang Xiannong, director, Marxism College of Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences, China, emphasised the need for greater collaboration between these countries for a new world order. Faculty members, research scholars and students from various well-known institutes such as MICA-Ahmedabad, IIT-Bhubaneswar and Ravenshaw University took part in the event. A total of 64 research papers were received, of which 38 papers were selected for presentation at the conference. 

Clean drive

Students of Dhauli College of Art and Crafts conducted a sanitation drive at the Dhauli peace pagoda to mark International Volunteer’s Day on December 5. The students cleaned the monument premises and distributed pamphlets to tourists on the need to conserve heritage structures and keep them clean. Volunteers of Assra, an organisation from New Delhi, joined the drive. After the event, the students submitted a letter to the state culture department to make the drive a weekly affair. 

KISS protest

Students of KKS Women’s College staged a demonstration in front of their college after locking its gates. The agitators pointed out many shortcomings of the college and demanded relief from the authorities. They also protested against the transfer of three college teachers. They urged for a permanent post for the principal and other facilities. They also demanded light, water, adequate books for library and equipment in the science laboratory. The agitation was called off after the college authorities assured to look into their problems. 

World Deaf Day

Institute of Health Sciences, Bhubaneswar, observed World Deaf Day on September 24 in association with Rotary Club. A seminar on “Early intervention in hearing impairment” and a rally (flagged off by actress Anu Choudhary from Utkal University) was organised. Minister of women and child development Anjali Behera addressed a public meeting in the evening. 

Freshers’ day

Modern Engineering and Management Studies (Mems), Balasore, organised a welcome function for freshers on September 16. Mems chairman Himansu Das said students should be disciplined, punctual and sincere to be successful in life. A cultural programme was also organised.