512 teaching staff join Higher Education, Skill Development dept in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: As many as 512 newly-recruited Assistant Professors, Assistant Training Officers, and Junior Assistants today joined the Odisha government.

While 158 Assistant Professors joined the Higher Education Department, 10 Assistant Professors, 194 Assistant Training Officers and 150 Junior Assistants joined the Skill Development & Technical Education department, sources said.

An induction programme was organised at the Convention Centre in Lok Seva Bhawan. Participating in the programme, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated the new recruits and thanked them for joining the noble profession of shaping and skilling our young minds.

Addressing the new professors of Higher education Department, the Chief Minister said, “You are not merely teachers; you are catalysts of change, contributing to the intellectual and social growth of our state. Together, let us build a legacy of knowledge and empowerment that transcends generations.”

He further said that Higher Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our state. “The youth of Odisha are our greatest asset. As we embark on this journey of enhancing higher education, I urge the professors to equip their students with appropriate academic knowledge along with critical thinking skills, creativity and a global perspective.”

Saying that Higher Education has always been a major focus area of his government, the Chief Minister informed that around 5 thousand Teaching and Non-teaching staff has been recruited in the last few years.

The state Government has also decided to open Government Degree colleges in the arts stream in the 18 uncovered blocks of Odisha to ensure equity and promote higher education in all parts of the state, he informed.

It may be mentioned here that in the last few years, record numbers of Teaching and Non-teaching staff (4,941) has been recruited for both government and non-government aided colleges. Altogether 556 Assistant Professors have been appointed in Government Degree Colleges, 332 Assistant Professors appointed in Teacher Education Training Institutes and 308 non-teaching staff have also been recruited. Furthermore, 3,745 lecturers in Non-Government Aided colleges have been recruited in the last few years.

Speaking to newly appointed persons of Skill Development & Technical Education, the CM said along with higher education, the realm of skill has become predominantly significant for the future of Odisha youth. “My government has embarked on a transformative journey towards a skilled and empowered Odisha,” said the Chief Minister.

He further said this recruitment underscores the commitment of my government under the 5T framework, towards nurturing skill development. The Chief Minister underscored that this induction represents a significant stride towards realizing our vision for a technologically advanced and adaptive workforce.

“We aim to elevate the “Skilled-in-Odisha” initiative to unprecedented heights,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Higher Education Minister Atanu Sabyasachi said higher education in state spreading its wings with the application of 5-T initiative.  The Budgetary allocation for higher education has reached Rs 4,000 crore and recruitment process has been expedited, he added.

Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Pritiranjan Ghadai said the Skilled-in-Odisha initiative has strengthened the skill eco-system.  Skilled-in-Odisha and Make-in-Odisha are now in the buzz across the country, he added.

Three new recruits – Asst Professor Abhipsa Bal, Asst Training Officer Pankajini Behera and Asst Training Officer Sweety Das, sharing their experiences, appreciated the 5T initiative for which the recruitment process has been fair, efficient and transparent.

Skill Development department Principal Secretary Usha Padhi delivered the welcome address and Higher Education Commissioner-cum-Secretary Arabinda Agrawal proposed the vote of thanks.