Bhubaneswar: A chair on Kabi Samrata Upendra Bhanja will be set up at the Utkal University of Culture to facilitate research.

"We feel the chair will give a boost to Odia language and help popularising and promoting works on the great poet of the state on the national and international level," said Kamal Kant Mishra, vice-chancellor of the varsity.

Also, four new departments will begin at the varsity from the next academic session. They are Odia literature, tribal culture, mass communication and museum management.

"The state has a rich artistic heritage and has produced some of the finest examples of Indian art and architecture," said Governor and chancellor S.C. Jamir at the 19th Foundation Day celebrations of the varsity held on Thursday.

A number of initiatives are being taken for improving the new campus of the varsity located at Madanpur near Jatni.

Odisha Forest development Corporation will be engaged in the landscaping of the campus.

CCTV cameras will be put up at various locations of the campus such as the library, entrance and hostels. Solar panels will be installed across the campus.

Overcoming the problems that are restricting the varsity from receiving financial assistance from the UGC under Section 12B of the UGC Act is also on the agenda.

"A lot of modalities need to be sorted to receive funds from various central-funding agencies. Working towards that is our apriority area," said the VC.

"Progress of the university is encouraging but we have much more to do to achieve our ambitious goals. In the future journey, it is important to maintain far-reaching visions that are understood and shared with stakeholders more widely," said the Governor.

The Utkal University of Culture was established in 1999 to preserve, promote, propagate and protect the cultural heritage of the state.