Utkal University of Culture

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 7: An inordinate delay of the Utkal University of Culture authorities in conducting exams for the Master of Social Work (MSW) course has angered students.

The livid students alleged that this has affected their job prospects while thwarting their chances of pursuing higher studies.

“I took admission in August 2011, but the first-year exams have not been held yet,” said an MSW student from one of the seven private institutes affiliated to the varsity. More than 1,000 students are enrolled every year for the MSW programme in these colleges.

They said that that irregularity has been a regular feature of the university for the last seven to eight years.

“A two-year course spills over to nearly four years because of the delay in conducting exams and publication of results. Despite bringing it to the notice of the vice-chancellor, there has been no respite,” said another student.

The second-year students fear that they would be driven out of their college hostels by this August to make way for students of the fresh batch.

“Most MSW students come from far-flung, remote areas of Odisha. While our total course fee is Rs 55,000, we pay Rs 48,000 each year for accommodation on the campus. Now the situation is such that we may have to lose our hostel seats though our course will not be completed this year,” said a student from Tripura.

Some students have demanded that the varsity, which is governed by the state culture department, be handed over to the department of higher education for better management. “The notification for first-year exams has not yet come out even though we were supposed to pass out this year,” said another student.

However, university vice-chancellor Amiya Pattanayak said that exam notices had already been issued and affiliate colleges had been asked to start the form-fill up process.

“We are badly understaffed, which explains the delay. But, we have already announced that the exam will be held in March,” he said.