Bhubaneswar, Sept. 12: Students remain unaware of a grievance redress cell that was set up in Utkal University of Culture three weeks ago.

The cell, headed by vice-chancellor D.N. Jena, is supposed to function on the last Monday of every month for “instant” solution to the problems and issues faced by the employees, principals of the varsity’s affiliate colleges, students and their guardians.

Though officials said the first and only session so far was fruitful, the students, who often register complaints about the university’s dismal state of affairs, feigned ignorance about any such body.

“We have no idea about any grievance cell functioning here. But, if it has been set up after all, it is great news for us. We hope that our issues will be taken up officially. In the next meeting, I will raise the issue of poor quality certificates being awarded to us,” said Pradip Kumar Panda, a second-year student of masters in visual art (painting).

Another student, requesting anonymity, said he was skeptical about the functioning of the grievance redress cell.

“We present our issues before the authorities on a regular basis, but a solution hardly emerges. Now, with a formal cell, which would meet only once a month, it is doubtful whether they would entertain us on other days,” said the student.

Though the cell consists of heads of all postgraduate departments, a faculty member said they had no knowledge of its existence.

“In this university, most things happen unofficially. Authorities take care of the paperwork, but students and teachers rarely come to know of it. There are thousands of grievances here, but barely any means to address them,” said a faculty member, who did not wish to be named.

The vice-chancellor said the constitution of the grievance cell had been duly notified.

“We had put it up on the notice board and the university website on August 24. A copy of the notice was also sent to the principals of all our 45 constituent colleges. It is very surprising that students are saying they don’t know about it. The cell is a noble effort on our part to ensure single-window disposal of various issues through deliberations and negotiations within a specific period of time,” said Jena.