Bhubaneswar, Aug. 10: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated a model degree college at Nayagarh through videoconference.

This was one of eight model degree colleges being set up in educationally-backward areas of the state, where the gross academic enrolment ratio of eight is less than the national average of 14.

The government has decided to establish 18 model degree colleges across Odisha to be funded by Rashtriya Uchchatara Siksha Abhiyan (Rusa).

'The model degree college should be a leader in terms of providing quality education," said the chief minister while inaugurating it today.

Stating that Nayagarh district has a glorious history, Naveen said: "We have to see that this legacy is maintained and excellence is achieved in all academic activities."

Chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said eight model degree colleges were being set up in eight districts (Boudh, Deogarh, Malkangiri, Nayagarh, Nabarangpur, Nuapara and Sonepur) in the first phase.

The Nayagarh College offers eight honours courses in arts stream, five in science and one in commerce at the degree level. Each honours course has 32 students.

All the teaching and non-teaching staff have already been recruited.