OdishaPlus Bureau
After taking over as higher education minister, Arun Kumar Sahoo held his first meeting with officials and vice-chancellors of all the universities of Odisha. What has come out from this meeting is significant as far as higher education in the state is concerned.
Uniform Syllabus
As decided, the State government will introduce a uniform syllabus for undergraduate courses in all universities from the 2019-2020 academic sessions. “As of now, different syllabus is followed by different universities. But we have decided to introduce a uniform syllabus and hold examinations within a time-frame, which will help students in future while pursuing further higher studies,” said Sahoo.
Sahoo has asked the vice-chancellors to fill up vacant teaching posts in their respective universities and colleges affiliated under them as soon as possible. The meeting also decided to extend financial aid and free coaching to 100 candidates preparing for civil service examinations.”So far, 86 students have applied for the same and each of them would be provided with free coaching along with necessary financial assistance,” the minister said.
Encourage Research
The minister called upon the vice-chancellors of universities to make teaching in their respective campuses world class and underlined the importance of encouraging research for the purpose. During his interaction with the VCs of 11 universities, ways for qualitative improvement and modernization of higher education were also discussed. Sahu enquired about problems of the universities and promised that steps would be taken to solve the problems without loss of time.
Examination Reform
He also assured the VCs he will initiate measures to improve the educational environment of all the universities and said entry of non-students into campuses would be totally banned. The minister stressed the importance of entrance examinations for admission into PG courses, introduction of unitary syllabus for graduation courses, reforms in the examination systems at graduation and PG levels, publication of results in time and issue of certificates to Degree holders.
While HE Department’s Secretary Saswat Mishra highlighted the measures taken for reforms and qualitative improvement in higher education, Higher Education Council vice-chairman Prof. Ashok Kumar Das advised everyone to give priority to obtaining NAAC recognition.