Utkal varsity in Odisha to adopt CBCS

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 14:

In view of the Central guidelines which states that the autonomous colleges would get financial assistance under University Grants Commission (UGC) and Rashtriya Ucchatar Sikhsha Abhiyan (RUSA) only after fulfilling the criteria of the National Assessment Accreditation Council (NAAC) and introduction of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), the Academic Council of Utkal University in Odisha has decided in principle to introduce CBCS system in the university and these colleges from the current academic session in the first phase.

As per the decision taken at the meeting of the Council on Wednesday, there would be a uniform CBCS rule for the university and all autonomous colleges under its jurisdiction.

There would be a periodic class test in the university and autonomous colleges to evaluate the performance of the students.

Under CBCS system, there is a mandatory provision of adequate number of teachers for each faculty. Since the system has not been implemented in the autonomous colleges this year due to shortage of teachers, a decision has been taken to fill up the vacant posts of teachers at the earliest as the state government has decided by to appoint 700 teachers.

The Council has suggested appointment of guest teachers against the vacant post of regular teachers. Priority would be given to ensure regular classes in the autonomous colleges and universities.

To ensure timely completion of admission process, courses, examinations, evaluation and announcement of results, itwas decided that efforts would be made for computerization of all autonomous colleges and universities.

Presiding over the meeting, vice chancellor of Utkal University Prof Ashok Das urged the Council members to make efforts to upgrade the infrastructure of laboratories of the autonomous colleges and the university and conduct research on energy, environment, technical education, weather, water resources management and rural empowerment in collaboration with well-known national organizations like the ISRO and DRDO and other international organisations.

Prof Das also suggested to the members to make adequate provision for an e-journal, wi-fi and computer facilities in all libraries and introduction of vocational education as per the market demand to facilitate access to employment opportunity for the students.

He also said opportunity should be given to the college and varsity teachers to attend national and international level workshops.

Besides, he also suggested setting up of an innovation centre where the teachers, students and the local industries will have regular meetings to discuss the training and possible employment of the students.