School of Women Studies at Utkal University in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 28: One of the most sought-after departments of Utkal University, the School of Women’s Studies, has fallen on bad times.

Students alleged the affairs of the department have been in a mess ever since its founder director and noted social activist, Asha Hans, retired in 2006.

The department, which was established in 1999, runs a two-year self-financing post-graduation course in women’s studies. There are two batches of students (30 in each batch). There is, however, only one full-time faculty member. It falls on the guest faculty to manage the entire workload.

“There is just one classroom for 60 students. Each batch has to wait till the other finishes its classes. We have to take our examinations and have seminars conducted in other departments. Our library has books worth lakhs of rupees. But ironically, we cannot take the books home, nor is there enough space here to sit and read them,” said a student on the condition of anonymity.

Students also alleged the department has not made any attempt to get any project for four years. “We have had five ad hoc directors since 2006. Since there is no permanent director, there has been no initiative on their part to get projects or funds for the department. The last placement drive took place two years ago,” said another student.

The student added that the present director of the School of Women’s Studies is also the head of department of computer applications. “She has to discharge several duties and is not paid anything for officiating as the director. Her attention is divided and she is unable to sort out our problems,” he said.

One of the ex-students of the department alleged inaction and neglect on the part of the vice-chancellor (VC) of Utkal University, Binayak Rath. “The VC is neglecting our department. We have met him several times to attract his attention to our plight but he took no action,” said Ramakant Majhi, who passed out from the department last year.

Majhi said that in case of seat allotment for hostels, students of Women’s Studies hardly had any chance. “The hostel superintendent says ours is a sponsored (self-financing) course and not a regular one. Hence, we will not get hostel accommodation. Only five out of 18 applicants got a seat in the girls’ hostel No. 5.”

Another ex-student said: “Many students who have cleared the National Eligibility Test are jobless.”

Sources said dearth of teaching faculty is the reason behind the department, which runs post graduation and PhD classes, not being able to open an MPhil course. “We have been told we will get two more teachers by the end of February. The proposal for the expansion of our building was approved last September, but work has not started yet,” said a source. Director of the department, Sanghamitra Mishra, and course coordinator, Madhumita Das, could not be reached for comments.