The Central University of Odisha, established in 2009, has shifted the girls' and boys' hostels to the permanent campus at Sunabeda. With this, the long-standing demand of the students has been fulfilled. Each hostel has altogether 236 rooms, one dining room, one drawing room and two lawns. Around 162 girl students were moved to the newly built hostel on September 3 and 227 male students were also moved in July. Furniture, including beds, cots, mattresses, tables and chairs and other amenities, have been provided at the hostel.
All about cells
A workshop on "Techniques Of Fluorescence Microscope" was organised by the department of zoology at the Ravenshaw University recently. An advanced upright fluorescence microscope and its analysing software have now been made available in neurobiology laboratory of the department and students were elaborately briefed upon its use during the event. Students spoke on the occasion and said how the technique of fluorescence microscopy had become an essential tool in biology and the biomedical sciences, as well as in materials science. Application of an array of fluorochromes were discussed that would be helpful to identify cells and sub-microscopic cellular components with a high degree of specificity amid non-fluorescing material.
Dance tips
A large number of students of Gangadhar Meher University attended a kathak dance recital programme organised on the premises of the varsity recently. The programme was organised by the Sambalpur chapter of Spic Macay (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth). Kathak dancer of international repute Mohua Shankar performed at the event. The students, apart from enjoying the event, got to know about the various nuances of classical dance forms from the artiste. Other artistes who took part in the programme were Murad Ali, Mithilesh Jha and Nupur Shankar. The programme was co-ordinated by dean of students' affairs, Kamdeba Sahu, who was assisted by the students.
Role of new media
The orientation programme for the 2016-17 batch of students was held at the Institute of Media Studies recently. Experts from diverse backgrounds attended the event and highlighted the skills and training required for professionals in the media industry. Apart from classroom learning, they urged students to get acquainted with the new technologies and social media for better exposure. A seminar on "Trends of Professional Education" was also organised on the occasion during which senior journalist Nilambar Rath stressed how digital media played a crucial role in faster dissemination of news and information gathering. Heads of various departments of the institute were present who interacted with the students on the syllabus and things to look forward to during their course of study.
Economic surveys
Arvind Subramanian, chief economic adviser to the Government of India, delivered a talk titled "Economic Survey Outreach" on September 1 at the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB). His talk highlighted how economic surveys are taken, why they are taken, the Odisha model of development and the importance of integrating technology with governance. It provided the students and faculty of XIMB, along with others present at the event, an opportunity to interact with him and get a clearer picture of the economy. Also, Ashwamedh, the annual business conclave of X-Ops, the student operations committee of XIMB, was held on August 28. The theme for this year was "Disruptive Innovation in Operations Scenario."
NSS camp
The National Service Scheme (NSS) wing of the Kaptipada College, Mayurbhanj, conducted various activities at a camp held in the adopted villages of Beherasahi and Bariksahi last week. They also motivated the villagers on having voter identity cards, Aadhaar cards, voting rights and bank accounts under the Jan Dhan scheme. Apart from stressing on the implementation of Swachh Bharat mission, the students also told them about the importance of scientific healing. They also made them aware of the process of enrolling every student between 6 and 14 in the nearby school. The principal of the college, Chandra Kumar Pattnaik, NSS co-ordinator Usha Satpathy, and programme officer Sanjy Senapati also attended the event and stressed on the importance of moral values, character building, sports activities, human rights and small savings.
Accreditation team
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council team visited the campus of Neelashaila Mahavidyalaya, Rourkela, on August 7. The team comprised Smritikumar Sarkar, vice-chancellor of University of Burdwan, who is the chairperson of the team, H.S. Gaur and G.L. Puntambekar from Central University, Madhya Pradesh, and principal of Pachhunga University College, Tawnenga, Aizwal. The steering committee coordinator, L.P. Swain of the department of sociology of the college, coordinated the entire process, which will continue for another two days. Principal Ajaya K. Mohanty conducted a parents' meeting with the alumni and current students. Besides, an alumni association meeting was held two days ago.
