Balasore, June 15: Students who have completed their post graduation in population studies at the Fakir Mohan University here have been left high and dry as they have failed to find jobs related to their subject.

The subject was introduced at the post-graduate level by the university in 2005.

“I belong to the first batch that passed out in 2007. Despite a frantic search, I could not find a job related to my course. Finally, I opted for a bachelor’s degree in education and now, I am working as a teacher,” said an ex-student, Ruchi Ranjana Das.

She added: “We feel the subject was meaningless. We never came across any job advertisement, seeking students of population studies. There was no placement facility for us.”

Echoing Das’ sentiments, Padmini Sethi, now a bank employee, said: “There were no takers for us. We were lost and no job opportunity came our way. So, we had to look for an alternative.”

The university has no record of the employability status of the pass-outs, except those absorbed by some NGOs.

“No pass-out has found employment in the last five years. They are going through really tough times and are under a lot of stress,” Das said.

Head of the population studies department, B.N. Otta, said the F.M. University was the only institution in eastern India offering the subject.

“In the country, some three or four universities might be offering the subject. Yet the people and employers have little knowledge about it. Therefore these difficulties have come up,” said Otta.

“The subject, in fact, lacked publicity resulting in low or nil acceptability by the employers.

“The defunct placement agency for pass-outs is the reason for poor employability. On the other hand, we have not been able to find the right students for this course,” Otta added

While most of the ex-students are questioning the employability prospect of this course, university officials maintain that a pass-out student could apply for the post of a teacher at the post-graduation level.

“The subject is related to demography and the successful students can be absorbed in the National Rural Health Mission project,” Otta said.

The placement cell in-charge, Bhabatosh Mishra, who is also faculty member of environment studies, however said: “The cell was almost defunct for nearly two years. Moreover, the prospective employers conduct recruitment drives in private institutes but are not coming here.

“This time we would put in our best efforts to invite employers.”

Vice-chancellor of the university, Kumarbar Das, also said he would emphasise on the campus placement drive. “The placement cell will be revamped after discussions with the officials of the department concerned,” he said.