Berhampur, Jan. 24: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated the Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) at Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district. This is the first private university in southern Orissa.

According to sources, this university will be run by the JITM Trust. This trust also runs the Jagannath Institute of Technology and Management. The chairman of the trust is the president of the university, where as the varsity will have vice-chancellor, pro vice-chancellor and other regular functionaries.

CUTM has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, to offer joint certification courses. It will offer courses in engineering and technology, medical science and genetics, humanities and social sciences, management, law, vocational education and training, tribal and development studies, said its president Mukti Mishra.

Both varsities would jointly certify the courses, which would also include part of the CUTM curriculum, he added. The Centurion University of Technology and Management Bill 2010 was passed in the state legislative Assembly on August 5 and notified on December 27 last year.

State government officials said the approach to the 11th plan report has pointed out that the extent of access to higher education was limited.

“Only about 10 per cent of the relevant age group goes to universities. There is an overwhelming need to undertake major expansion to increase access to higher education,” an official said.

Agriculture minister Damodar Rout and higher education minister Debi Prasad Mishra were also present at the inauguration.