Students at the Ramadevi plantation workshop. Telegraph picture

Varsity culture

The information technology department of C.V. Raman College of Engineering organised an international conference on “Advances in Computer, Communication Technology and Applications” (ACCTA-2010) from August 3 to 5. The conference was inaugurated by Prof. M. Charkaravarty, director, IIT Bhubaneswar.

In his inaugural speech, Prof. Chakravarty stressed on the importance of application of computers in science and technology.

He said computers were widely applied in all spheres of life and have now become an absolute necessity. Sanjib Kumar Rout, chairman of C.V. Raman Group of Institutions also spoke about the importance of computer application. He also added that out of the 300 articles received from all over the world, around 60 would be presented in the conference by delegates from Oman, USA and China among other places.

Others who presented their views at the inauguration ceremony were Prof. K.C. Patra, principal of C.V. Raman College of Engineering, Prof. K.C. Swain, head of the organising committee and Prof. Rachita Mishra, programme co-chairman (ACCTA-2010).

Photojournalist at Utkal

Eminent photojournalist and faculty member of Manipal University, Dubai campus, Sambhram Pattnaik addressed the third semester students of development journalism and electronic communication (DJEC) at a seminar held in the department of public administration of Utkal University on August 12.

Various subjects related to photojournalism, television production and post-television production were discussed at the seminar.

Pattnaik put forward his ideas on the various techniques used to make a perfect shot. He said that a photograph expresses much more than mere words.

So, while taking a picture, the photographer should keep the viewer in mind. He also provided some guidelines on the practical applications for taking photos.

During the interactive session, Pattnaik presented a picture depicting Dubai culture and the media situation abroad. Curious students asked him many questions.

Co-ordinator of DJEC, Prof. Bijayini Mohanty, delivered the welcome note and introduced the guests and faculty members of DJEC. Prof. Amit Neogi, faculty of DJEC, delivered the vote of thanks to the assembly. Pravas Acharya, member of faculty, DJEC, was also present at the seminar.

VISWASS inauguration

The newly constructed academic building for the departments of social work, nursing and finance of the Vivekananda Institute of Social Work and Social Sciences (VISWASS) at Pitapalli, Khurda, was inaugurated by eminent social worker and environmentalist, Padmashree Anna Hazare, on August 17.

The building, consisting of three floors, is equipped with state-of-the-art classrooms, office rooms, storerooms, yoga rooms and common rooms. Hazare, at a function organised by VISWASS, said VISWASS was a big achievement for the institute. Dr Binayak Rath, vice-chancellor, Utkal University, addressed the students. He highlighted the role of honesty and integrity in the development of individual personality.

Chairperson Pratima Gharai also spoke during the occasion. She said social work is a sensitive job and appealed to the staff members and students to lend their support to VISWASS in order to make it a model institution in the state.

The inaugural programme was chaired by Dr. M.B Rao, principal, (VISWASS). Antony Mathews, director of nursing, addressed the vote of thanks. Also present at the function were Pragyan Ranjan Gharai, secretary, Dr. B.B Swain, dean, Dr Rajiv Mohapatra, principal (VIVTECH) and Gouri Sahu, principal (nursing).

The right choice

The honours selection for the arts stream of BJB College was held from August 2 to 5 in the college premises. About 560 students were admitted in sixteen different specialised subjects.

The most coveted subjects were economics, education and geography. In economics, 80 students were admitted against the availability of 72 seats, as the number of seats is likely to increase in the coming days. In geography, all the sixteen seats available were filled. In education, 34 students were admitted against the availability of 32 seats.

The cut-off percentage in economics and education stood at 60 percent and for geography, it was 59.8 percent. Meanwhile, 63 students were admitted in English, 16 in anthropology, 32 in psychology and 39 in sociology honours.

However, the selection process might extend for a week or two due to vacancies in history, Sanskrit and mathematics honours.

Seminar at KIIT

AIESEC Bhubaneswar, a youth-run international body, organised an information seminar at KIIT University.

Students from various highly ranked institutions in city like IIT, XIMB and KIIT participated in the event. Interns from Hong Kong and the U.K. shared their experiences regarding AIESEC at this seminar. The Bhubaneswar chapter of AIESEC, which was formed last year by a group of KIIT University students, is working actively to provide international internship opportunities for the students of Orissa in major corporates and NGOs.
Jessica, an Intern from UK, said that AIESEC serves as a global platform for young people to discover and develop their potential.

AIESEC was formed in 1948 and runs in over 110 countries with over 35,000 members.
N.V. Sastry, chief advisor, AIESEC, Bhubaneswar, who also holds the post of deputy director, training and placement, KIIT University, said that AIESEC will provide students of Orissa with international opportunities of leadership, project management and internship in the areas of technology, education and social developments.

Plantation workshop

The NCC unit of Ramadevi Autonomous Women’s College organised a workshop, My Earth My Duty, in association with the authorities of the NCC Girls Battalion, Bhubaneswar on August 12.

The workshop is part of Zee TV's green campaign that kicked off on World Environment Day on June 5, and will continue till August 25 when several schools and colleges from all over the country will participate in a plantation programme.

Principal Prof Srilekha Roy inaugurated the workshop and gave the welcome address. Dr. Gopal Krishna Panda, professor at the department of geography, Utkal University, graced the occasion as chief guest and speaker.

Captain Manju R, the administrative officer of the first Orissa NCC girls' battalion, also attended the workshop and spoke about people's responsibility towards protecting the Earth.

Prof. Panda elaborately explained the aim of the workshops. Citing examples from all over the world, he spoke about the key roles played by ordinary people in protecting the Earth.

He explained certain concepts related to the environment such as global warming, climate change, greenhouse effect and sustainable development, as well as their subsequent impact on human life.

He said if people simply refused to buy or use non bio-degradable goods, then that would go a long way in helping the environment conservation cause.

Chinmayee Panda, a first year B.A. student, said: “Initiative should be taken by each of us. Only then we can motivate others to join hands to save the Earth from further damage.”

The workshop was conducted by NCC officer of the college. The workshop was to bring experts and students on a common platform and then raise awareness about various environment issues.

XIMB seminar

The Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB), in association with Sri Sri University, hosted the first Sri Sri University seminar series talks on August 15.
Dr. Bala Balachandran, founding director of Great Lakes Institute, Chennai, spoke on the topic of Higher Education at Crossroads - The Evolutionary Model. Dr. Akhila Srinivasan, MD, Shriram Life Insurance was also part of the panel.

The discussion began with XIMB Prof. D.V. Ramana’s insights about the future of education. He said: “If you don’t like the way the world is, you can change it and the best way to change the world is through education.”

Dr Balachandran raised the question about the future of education.

A Padmashri award winner for his contribution to literature and education in 2001 and a professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management since 1973, Dr. Balachandran is also the mastermind behind the one-year business management programme. He said: “We, as MBA students, may take up salaried jobs after passing out but we must never let the fire of entrepreneurship go out. We must be wealth creators not wealth consumers. That is the only way we’ll progress as a nation.”

In India, the Art of Living Foundation has spearheaded the concept of value-based learning, through the Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir (SSRVM) Trust.

The trust runs 100 institutions ranging from pre-primary to professional colleges in 16 states. In the words of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, education should provide six-fold abilities: information, concepts, attitude, imagination, freedom and intuition and interplay of these six abilities completes the cycle of knowledge.

I-Day celebrations

Independence Day was celebrated with much vigour by the faculty and students of Ravenshaw University.

The flag hoisting was conducted at the playground of the university in the morning. Hundreds of students, professors and lecturers from various departments, attended the flag hoisting ceremony. Vice-chancellor, Devdas Chhotray, hoisted the flag. During his speech, he reminded the audience of the contribution of freedom fighters towards the independence of India.

He told the students to be inspired by the leaders of the freedom struggle and contribute towards the growth of the nation.

A plantation drive was also held in the campus. Students actively took part in planting saplings in order to create a green campus.

Present on the occasion were registrar Dr. Smarapriya Mishra, naval officer and English lecturer of Ravenshaw Junior College, Pradipta Kumar Mohanty, dean of administration Bijoy Kumar Misra and others.