BHUBANESWAR: Even as Rama Devi (RD) Women’s University will have to conduct admission of first batch students in 2015-16 academic session soon, the Higher Education Department is yet to finalise modalities regarding functioning of the State’s first women’s university.
In the new session, the university will conduct admission to Plus Three and Post-Graduation (PG) courses. Although the State Government accorded the status of women’s university last month, the appointment of Officer on Special Duty (OSD), who will be the acting Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university till a regular VC is appointed, has not been done.
Apparently, the file regarding appointment of the OSD is lying in the Chief Minister’s Office despite the fact that Plus Two results will be declared on June 1 and admission to Plus Three would begin immediately after that. From the new academic session, all 47 women’s colleges under Utkal University would come under the jurisdiction of RD Women’s University.
Besides, there is no word from the State Government regarding opening of new PG courses in the university and re-framing of the syllabus. While Rama Devi (Autonomous) College was offering PG teaching in Home Science and Hindi, minimum 10 departments need to be opened in a new university.
College Principal Chitrangada SamantaSinghar said the courses of studies would be completely redone as per university pattern as Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) will be implemented. “The Utkal University has already framed a new courses of studies as per the CBCS pattern and we would borrow it from them,” she said.
Earlier, Higher Education Minister Pradeep Panigrhy had informed that upgradation of the college to university will be done within six months as per the Orissa Universities Act, 1989.
The RD Women’s College will get Rs 55 crore to be upgraded to university each year for a period of three years and Rs 18.3 crore has already been sanctioned by the HRD Ministry.