Bhubaneswar, Sept.13: The Gangadhar Meher University in Sambalpur, which had earlier planned to start Master in Philosophy (MPhil) courses in five subjects, has now decided to extend it to nine.

Varsity authorities had decided to offer the course in five new subjects - economics, political science, geography, education and Odia -from the current academic session. Later, a decision was taken to introduce it in four more subjects - physics, chemistry, mathematics and philosophy.

'A special academic council meeting will be convened shortly and the proposal to start the course in four more subjects will be ratified. After that, it will be sent to the syndicate for approval,' said varsity's deputy registrar U.C. Pati.

'We will conduct the entrance examination for admission into these courses in November and start the classes from January. Each department will have 8 seats for MPhil,' Pati said.

At present, the course is offered by the varsity in seven subjects - including commerce, English, psychology, history, Sanskrit, botany and zoology. With the introduction of MPhil in nine subjects, 16 departments will have the course.

Gangadhar Meher Autonomous College, a premier institution in west Odisha, was upgraded to a university in 2015. 'The priorities of the institution have changed after it was upgraded to a university. The thrust is now on research ' said a faculty member.

Students keen to pursue higher education are happy over the decision. 'The students of this region will have the scope to pursue higher education after the new MPhil courses are introduced in the varsity,' said student Vikash Bohidar.

Established in 1944, the institution spread over 38 acres. The institution, which has 5300 students, offers under-graduate, postgraduate, MPhil and pre-doctoral courses besides self-financing and vocational courses.