Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today handed over placement letters to the 299 out of 833 newly-recruited lecturers of Higher Educational Department at a function held at Jayadev Bhawan here.

The placement process will be completed by November and the lecturers will be appointed in Government aided colleges.

Gracing the function as Chief Guest Naveen Patnaik said, “At the outset, I congratulate all the newly recruited lecturers and wish them all the best in their career. The profession of teaching carries highest respect in society. In a way, teachers lay the paths to the future of our society. They encourage imagination, critical thinking, and creativity.”

He prioritized his Government’s focus on making sincere efforts to improve quality of education, establishing Centres of Excellence in universities with research funds for young educators and strengthening research capacity in discipline that is relevant to socio-economic development of Odisha.

He further added, “I am glad that Higher Education Department has completed selection process for 833 teachers in aided colleges, and two hundred ninety nine teachers are receiving their appointment letters today. I congratulate all of you once again.”

Patnaik also said that its government is making efforts to speed up process to open an Odia University for preservation and promotion of Odia language.

Higher Education Minister Arun Sahoo and Higher Education Secretary Saswat Mishra were also present on the occasion.