The meeting of the Gangadhar Meher (Autonomous) College focus group. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, April 20: Academics, students and former students of Gangadhar Meher (Autonomous) College here today demanded that it be upgraded to a unitary university.

“A focus group, which will make efforts for the development of the institution, was formed. The focus group will prepare a blueprint,” said principal Gangadhar Mishra.

Though the demand for a unitary university was the focal point at a meeting held at the college, several other issues including infrastructure and manpower crunch was also discussed.

“The contractual teacher system is a reason behind the deterioration in the educational standard of the institution. This system should be stopped and permanent teachers should be recruited in the college,” said Dilip Panda, former lecturer of the college.

The students of the college also supported the demand for unitary university.

“The autonomous college should be elevated to unitary university. The students will extend their support to the noble cause,” said president of the students’ union Bhima Patra. The student leader also highlighted some major problems of the college. “Several teaching and non-teaching posts are lying vacant. These vacancies should be filled up as soon as possible,” said Patra.

“Efforts should also be made to improve the educational standard of the college. The students here are facing problems because of the staff crunch. More than 50 per cent of the sanctioned teaching posts are lying vacant,” said Byomkesh Purohit, a postgraduate student.