Journalism students of Central University of Odisha on Monday observed National Press Day and discussed on the topic ‘Ethics in Media: Need of the hour’. MPhil, PhD and MA students studying at the centre for journalism and mass communication of the university took part in the discussion. The programme started with paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Gopabandhu Das. On the occasion of International Students’ Day, an oath taking ceremony was organised by the Central University of Odisha, Koraput, on both of its campuses (Landiguda and Sunabeda) on Monday. An essay competition was also organised in which students shared their views on “Quality education for all: The need of the hour”.

Students listen to a debate being held at the Central University of Odisha on Monday and (right) SC Nayak of FM Autonomous College chairs a seminar organised by the department of physics at Kuntala Kumari Sabat Women’s College on Tuesday. Telegraph pictures

Understanding women

A workshop titled ‘Youth Contribution to Beijing +20 Review Debate’ was jointly organised by the postgraduate department of sociology, Utkal University and the Centre for Social Research (CSR), New Delhi, at PG council hall of the university on Friday. Beijing +20 is the 20th anniversary of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the fourth world conference on women in Beijing in 1995. Students and sociologists from different parts of the country deliberated on the issue. This event was a platform for students to understand their own lives, deepen their understanding of the evolution of the women’s movement in India and contribute to global processes such as the Beijing+20 review. CSR has been holding such events across various universities in the country.

Subject inclusion cry

The students of environmental science department of the Sambalpur University organised a rally demanding inclusion of environment science as a subject in the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) examination for civil services. The students also demanded appointment of environmental science teachers in schools and colleges. They said that more than 500 students had already passed out from the environmental science department of the university. “As the environmental science is not a part of the OPSC examination, the students who have pursued the subject are not getting jobs,” said a student. They submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor of the university in this regard. A copy of the memorandum was also sent to the chairman of the OPSC and the higher education minister.

Training programme

A three-day management development training programme on ‘Effective Communication for Professional Excellence’ was organised by the Asian School of Business Management (ASBM) on its campus on Thursday. Students of the institute got a chance to learn about business writing, non-verbal communication, preparing winning presentation, team communication along with management games and exercises from renowned management and industry experts. Senior managerial staff from corporate houses such as Apollo Hospital, Tata Sponge Iron Ltd and Computer Lab took part in the event. Professor Biswajeet Pattanayak, director of ASBM, highlighted the need of effective team-building activities.

KIIT workshop

A workshop titled ‘Multi-sectorial Interventions in the Context of Maternal and Child Health: All Children Thriving’ was organised at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology. It saw representatives from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, department of biotechnology and United States Agency for International Development gathering at one place and discussing on the topic. The workshop built awareness about grand challenges, opportunities and facilitated dialogue among the researchers, innovators and fund-raisers. Large number of students, faculties and social activists took part in the workshop and discussed about the issue.

Students of Sambalpur University demand inclusion of environmental science as a subject in the OPSC exam on Monday and (right) speakers from various institutions discuss the issue of maternal and child health at a workshop held by KIIT, Bhubaneswar, on Tuesday. Telegraph pictures

Blood donation camp

An inter-college blood donation camp was conducted at Hinjili Science College on Monday. It was organised by the NSS cadets of Berhampur University and volunteers of eight colleges. Volunteers of major colleges in the area such as Hinjili Science College, Khemundi College Digapahandi, Aska College, Belaswar College, Kabisurya Nagar College, BS College Patpur, Vitam and KIIT College, Berhampur, participated in it. Around 53 volunteers donated blood, said Sachidananda Patra, principal of Hinjili Science College.

Physics seminar

A seminar on ‘Linear Transformation and Principle of Super Position’ was organised on Tuesday by the physics department of Kuntala Kumari Sabat (KKS) Women’s College. Students and faculty members discussed about ‘ether and theory of relativity’ and guest teachers explained their importance for science and their applications. Reader of FM Autonomous College S.C. Nayak enlightened students about linear transformation and the principle of superposition with examples and the utility of such physical concepts.

Celebrations galore

November is the month of celebration for Rourkela Institute of Management Studies (RIMS), a premier B-School of the state. The institute organised a host of activities such as Sports Day, Children’s Day, The Quest and its annual day that will be held from November 20 to 22. As part of the Children’s Day celebrations, painting and dancing competitions were held for students up to Class VIII. The competitions were divided into two categories — junior and senior. Similarly, The Quest is meant to search for talents with intellectual abilities. Debate, essay, quiz, reasoning and accounting contests were also held. This year accounting was added as a new subject where Ms and Mr Accountant were chosen. The one-day event saw over 250 students participating in different age groups.

Sandip Bal