Bhubaneswar, Oct. 13: Utkal University, which has been reeling under acute shortage of teachers, is all set to recruit faculties.

It has invited applications for recruitment of teaching facuties. This is the second time that the varsity has posted the advertisement. The first one was 'cancelled' after a few applications went missing.

The state government had sanctioned recruitment of 51 teachers and 36 non-teaching staff in Utkal University in April last year.

However, the varsity has advertised for 46 teaching positions. “The remaining positions will be filled up in the second phase,” said registrar S.C. Dash. Though the government had already given its nod, the delay of more than a year and a half in initiating the recruitment process has been severely criticised by many. In the past one year, students, too, held several demonstrations demanding the recruitment of faculties. Finally, their prayers have been answered. In October last year, the university had received 910 applications. Subsequently, a few applications were found missing and therefore the recruitment was called off.

Varsity sources, however, said that the previous advertisements did not feature eligibility criteria such as the mandatory NET qualification, appraisal performance index score card etc which are mandatory under the UGC recruitment rules.

“This is the second time that the notice has been released,” said Dash.

However, interested candidates have been asked to visit the official website and fill up the application form. The last date for submitting application is November 5.