Xavier University, Bhubaneswar, (XUB) signed an MoU with IT giant Wipro on May 27 for capacity building and engaging with schools and colleges on sustainability education. The collaboration covered joint explorations in pedagogic practices around sustainability education. The MoU will assist the Xavier School of Sustainability, an education school of the university, to further engage with students, teachers and key stakeholders on a long-term basis and stress on faculty development and teaching procedures. On the occasion, a SALT (sustainability, action, learning and teaching) unit was also inaugurated for the teachers of the university.

Training time

Students of the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, and National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, are undergoing training on the management of water at the Hirakud dam reservoir in Sambalpur. Executive engineer of the Hirakud Dam Project Joshobanta Parida and assistant engineer Aswini Choudhury along with other senior officials are providing training to the students. They are providing the students with varied knowledge about the dam, from the geographical situation of the upstream and downstream to the inflow of water and other technical aspects. While the students of VSSUT will undergo training for one month, the students of NIT will attend the exercise for two months.

Yoga postures

A yoga fest was conducted at the Central University of Odisha in Koraput on May 25 to create yoga awareness among the varsity students and staff members. Amulya Ratna Mohapatra, the founder of Ramakrishna Ashram of Koraput, delivered a lecture on the topic and taught basic meditation and fitness techniques. A number of students spoke on how yoga increases willpower and helps to maintain a stable mind. In another development, a book titled The Lost World of Sarala Devi, edited by Sachidananda Mohanty, the vice-chancellor of the varsity, was published by the Oxford University Press. The 29th book of the professor brings together some of Sarala Devi's best writings, including her tales for children with interesting characters. It offers a glimpse into the lost world of the reformer with a fiery spirit.

Eye for entrepreneurship

The Union ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) has recognised Asian School of Business Management (ASBM), Bhubaneswar, as the business incubator centre of the central government. It made the B-school the only management institute of the state to have got this distinction. The centre will provide support events, mentorship and resources to individual entrepreneurs as well as set-ups. The institute will conduct activities, such as development programmes and comprehensive training sessions to upgrade skills of prospective entrepreneurs, the existing workforce and also develop skills of the new workers. Saikat Gochhait, the co-ordinator of the entrepreneurship development cell, will be the head of incubator centre.

Employment drive

A job fair was organised by the Model Career Centre of the Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for the Handicapped (VRCH), Bhubaneswar, on its campus at Gandamunda on May 24. Around 358 jobseekers, including many differently-abled candidates, had registered for the event, following which they were counselled. Interviews were then scheduled, matching their eligibility and the requirement of employers. Around 154 jobseekers, including 27 persons with disabilities were shortlisted by the participating employers. Companies such as Aegis, Gargson Group, Eureka Forbes, Devyani International (for KFC & Pizza Hut), Kaapro Management Solution Private Ltd and Siesta Hospitality Private Limited took part in the placement process.

Convocation

Some 78 students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bhubaneswar, received their degrees at the annual convocation of the institute, held on May 22. A fashion show called "Fashionova" was held in the evening where eminent designer Wendell Rodricks was made the chief guest. A special exhibition called "Tantu" was inaugurated on the occasion showcasing various products designed by the graduating students of the institute. Among those who received their design degree certificates, many are already employed with various firms such as Biba, Triveni Sarees, Snapdeal.com, Future Group and Reliance Industries Limited. The institute will start two new undergraduate courses in fashion communication and fashion technology from this academic year.

New vice-chancellor

Srikant Mohapatra has been appointed as the vice-chancellor of Odisha State Open University in Sambalpur. The department of higher education published a notification in this regard, appointing Mohapatra, who earlier served as the officer on special duty, as the vice-chancellor of the varsity. After his appointment, he said he would ensure to reach out to the students in remote regions and facilitate their learning at an affordable cost. Credited with an MPhil and PhD in international politics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Mohapatra also has an illustrious experience in administration. In another development, an expert committee has been constituted for the BEd degree that would draft guidelines for course implementation at the varsity.

Folk art

The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, in collaboration with IT firm Infosys, will hold folk performances in Bhubaneswar. The attempt aims at encouraging rural artistes and work towards reviving various folk art forms. As a part of the initiative, cultural evenings will be held from this year on every first and third Monday of the month in the institute premises at Kharavela Nagar. The first event was held on May 23 where the Chaiti Ghoda dance connected with the Shakti cult of coastal Odisha was held. It was showcased by a folk art group from Choudwar in Cuttack. The students of the institute attended the event and interacted with the artistes to know more about the rare art form.

Plus Three exams

Girl students fared way better than boys both in Fakir Mohan University as well as North Odisha University (NOU) in the Plus Three examinations. The results were published on May 24. Aparna Acharya, a physics student of Soro UN College under Fakir Mohan and Diksha Parida, a physics student of Betnoti College from NOU emerged as best graduates. At Fakir Mohan, students of 72 colleges took the tests and the overall pass percent stood at 72.09. The pass percentage is 72.09, 74.57 and 81.71 in arts, science and commerce respectively. The overall pass percentage at NOU is 74.24 out of the 11,812 students who appeared from Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts. The pass percent of arts, science and commerce at NOU are 73, 76 and 71 respectively.