Odisha recruited 4,000 teachers in government colleges since 2016-17: Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Altogether 262 newly-recruited Assistant Professors joined the Higher Education department in Odisha today.

The state government organised a Nijukti Parba at the Convention Centre of Lok Seva Bhawan here to induct the newly-recruited Assistant Professors into the department.

“One of the key challenges for our higher education is to make our children employable or self-employed. There is a need for our students to come out of their institutes more confident of their capacity to do something meaningful to their own lives and ultimately, to society. Here, the role of teachers and professors becomes very significant,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the event.

The teachers should instill confidence in students and inspire them with positivity, added the Chief Minister. He expressed confidence that the newly-recruited Assistant Professors can successfully transform the students into real assets of our nation.

Congratulating the assistant professors, Patnaik said higher education is a major platform for students to enter into the world of professional career. From here, students take divergent career options and contribute to society in various capacities. So this is one key sector, where we are increasingly putting our focus, he added.

The state government has recruited more than 4,000 teachers in government colleges since 2016-17, revealed the Chief Minister.

“The state is providing various scholarships, laptops, virtual library facilities, ‘green passage’ for orphan students and initiating ‘Mo College’ campaign for greater involvement of alumni in improving the education ecosystem,” Patnaik said.

The government is also increasingly spending more on research. The state will spend over Rs 216 crore in next five years under Chief Minister Research & Innovation Students’ Scholarship Scheme, he added.

Participating in the event, Higher Education Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak described the efforts made by his department to recruit teachers, enhance quality of teaching in colleges and universities in the state. He appreciated the vision and direction of the Chief Minister in improving higher education in Odisha.

Chief Secretary PK Jena said consistent recruitments in all departments have strengthened the apparatus of governance. He called upon the Assistant Professors to educate the new generations of students as per needs of the current times.

During the event, the Chief Minister unveiled the guidelines regarding Mukhya Mantri Research & innovation Fellowship Programme (MRIP) and also  Mukhya Mantri Research Fellowship Test.

A total of 88 newly-recruited Junior Executive Assistants joined the Home department at the same event.

5T Secretary VK Pandian among others was present on the occasion. Additional Chief Secretary (Home department) DK Singh delivered the welcome address while Higher Education department Secretary Aravind Agrawal proposed the vote of thanks.