Bhubaneswar, Oct. 24: The University Grant Commission (UGC) has sanctioned three new schools under the Central University of Orissa in Koraput.

These include School of Development Studies, School of Basic Sciences and Information Sciences and School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources.

Following the sanction, three new courses have been started under each school from this academic year and admissions to these courses have begun.

The university has launched MSc in biodiversity and conservation of natural resources under School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources in collaboration with the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai.

Similarly, MA in economics has been launched under School of Development Studies and a five-year integrated course in mathematics has been launched under School of Basic Sciences and Information Sciences.

So far, 11 students have enrolled for the biodiversity and conservation of natural resources, 27 for economics and nine for mathematics.

In another development, the commutative English language-training programme, being conduced by British Council for students of the university, has been renewed for a second term. The MoU in this regard was signed in 2010.

“The programme aims to help students develop effective communication and interpersonal skills that are crucial to increase employment opportunities and compete successfully in the job market,” said vice-chancellor Surabhi Banerjee.

“Regular counselling sessions are being organised for preparing students for the forthcoming Net exam. This apart, workshops for students, interested in civil services and Indian administrative services, are also being held,” she said.

Plans are afoot to start School of Health Sciences next year. “In response to a letter from the UGC, a detailed project report for the proposed medical college and hospital has already been submitted,” she said.

Three other MoUs have been signed with Jamia Hamdard University for collaborative programmes in nursing and community health, Narayan Hrudayalaya for courses in vocational development programmes in medical industry specific areas, and Public Health Foundation of India for collaboration in teaching and research for partnership under School of Health Sciences. The varsity is in also talks with the district hospital of Koraput for collaborative programmes in health sciences and allied programmes in the state.