Owing to the introduction of CBCS (choice-based credit system) at the undergraduate level, 2015 was a year of witnessing growth in higher
education in Bhubaneswar as a number of universities came into being. However,
government missed the deadline to begin 100 model schools which were proposed
to be CBSE-affiliated residential English medium schools.
New steps were taken into education's direction such as
three colleges were upgraded into universities namely Rama Devi Women's
University, Gangadhar Meher University and Khallikote Cluster University by the
state government. To pave the way for establishing a private university state
assembly passed a Birla Global University Bill in the winter session.
Some bills were passed last year to upgrade Odisha State
Open University and VSS Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMSAR), into
universities.
Not only above moves,
government with a view to provide regional equality in education, announced the opening of the prestigious B-school, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Sambalpur and another
national level institute, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research,
this year.
Pradeep Panigrahy, higher education minister said that 2015
will be remembered as a year for several initiatives. The government not only
introduced universities but also appointed faculty members for them and
provided funding for upgrading infrastructure, confirmed the minister.
Ashok Das, vice-chancellor of Utkal University said that one
of the biggest achievements in higher education in 2015 was that all
universities and 32 autonomous colleges introduced CBCS.
Good news for students, state government not only upgraded
universities but also introduced three-month short term spoken English course
for undergraduate level. It has been started in 25 colleges imparting soft
skills and making students job ready. Also, student loans to be subsidized in
order to motivate economically backward students. Subsidy in education loan
interest has been made up to @4% for boys and @6% for girls.
However, government failed in medical area as it couldn't
hike MBBS intake capacity of VIMSAR this year, from 150 to 250.
After an order of High Court, students of (124) Sardar Rajas
Medical College (SRMC) and Hospital, Jaring had to be shifted to other
colleges. VIMSAR students were protesting over relocation of 40-odd SRMC
students there on Saturday.
A massive unrest was witnessed in Utkal University this year
with road blockage by students and a woman dying in traffic jam.
The state government failed to achieve its target of
establishing 100 model schools on the lines of Kendriya Vidyalayas.
The high court struck down the appointment of 4000 contractual high
school teachers in November as they were recruited despite court's stay.
Teachers are agitated and demanding re-engagement.
Tags: Cbcs
Education In Odisha
Choice-Based Credit System
Cbse
Vimsar
