The social responsibility cell of Xavier University opened a street store to distribute clothes to those in need. At the store, the beneficiaries were allowed to browse through the clothes and pick anything they liked. Around 1,000 beneficiaries chose clothes from the store. Preparations for the event began a month ago when the clothes were collected during the Joy of Giving week conducted by the cell members. A team of 120 members as well as those from the alumni association of the varsity collected clothes from students as well as local crowds. Later, they sorted the products according to the type of clothing.

The students said they experience the Joy of Giving when their endeavour brought smiles to faces. Also, the team had put up a card and craft shop during the college fest held recently to generate funds for differently-abled children.

Law talk

The Sambalpur University’s postgraduate department of law recently organised a seminar on “Constitutional Commitments and Present Day Challenges” at the institute’s conference hall, where Justice D.P. Choudhury was the chief guest. A number of issues related to the topic were discussed.

He interacted with the students and addressed their questions during the occasion. Twenty students of the department presented papers during the seminar.

Odia script

Students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela’s, department of computer science and engineering organised a seminar on Odia script on November 28 on the premises of the institute.

The topic of the seminar was “Handwritten Odia Character Recognition of Vernacular Language: The Odia Script” that looked into the difficulties involved in recognition of characters, especially in the handwritten format of vernacular languages with special focus on Odia.

The students felt the issue had been a long-term problem for computer professionals, because of which this topic was chosen. More than 20 experts, along with the department students, took part in it.

History video

Alumni of the state-run Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla are trying to glorify history of this institution by showing up a documentary film. The 13-minute video narrates the six-decade-long journey of the varsity, formerly known as University College of Engineering.

The video is a tribute to the oldest engineering college of Odisha. It has, time and again, proved its mettle through various works for the benefit of the society. Established in 1956 to provide a research facility for engineers working on the Hirakud dam, which was being constructed at that time, it is now a second home to 5,200 undergraduate and 800 postgraduate students enrolled in various courses offered by the 14 departments. Besides, the varsity students’ Satellite Team is working in collaboration with Isro.

The App Developers Console of the institute has developed an Android app named “VSSUT-BURLA, Guide”, which has been made available on the Android Playstore platform.

Under the “Sanskar Kendra” programme, the students of the university have adopted a school at the nearby village Kirba with 100 per cent success rate in the matriculation exam.

Global meet

The physics and ballistic science department of Fakir Mohan University organised an international conference on “Role of Microscopy and Allied Techniques in the Development of Multifunctional and Nano Materials”.

About 100 delegates, including 40 research scholars from across the country and 12 scholars from foreign nations — Germany, Russia and Singapore — took part in the deliberations. The participants presented basic studies and their applications through lectures and posters.

Discussions were made on the recent development in the field, shortcomings and breakthrough in nano-materials, biomaterials and their composites. Vice-chancellor Siba Prasad Adhikary inaugurated the event.

HR practices

A national-level HR conference on “Innovative HR Practices in the New Age Organisations” was held on November 25 at Bimtech, Bhubaneswar. The two-day colloquium ended with a conference and panel discussion.

It witnessed participation of research scholars and the academics from premier institutes. At the inaugural session, Hindalco Industries Ltd’s president (HR) Umesh Hota addressed the conference as the keynote speaker. In his address, Hota emphasised on the innovation and its impact on organisations.

Students discussed critical behavioural attributes such as creativity, conscientious, disagreeableness, sense of urgency, reframed imagination and ability to convert that drives innovation and the role of human resource function that drives innovation.

Portal plan

Taking a step ahead in industry-institution interaction, aluminium major Nalco will set up a portal seeking innovative ideas from students, teachers and researchers of Utkal University. This was declared by Nalco chairman-cum-managing director T.K. Chand at the foundation day celebration programme of the university.

The varsity celebrated its 74th foundation day at the MKCG Auditorium on the institute campus on November 27. Governor S.C. Jamir inaugurated the centre for teachers’ education. Teaching courses such as BEd and MEd will be offered to the students at this centre.

Under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, a virtual tutorial project was also launched where funds will be granted to improve overall quality of education in the institution. Vice-chancellor Ashok Das and Ranjan Bal were also present during the occasion.

ANWESHA AMBALY