BHUBANESWAR: The foundation stone for second campus of Utkal University will be laid by Higher Education Minister Ananta Das on Monday.
While the State Government had earlier announced to sanction `70 crore to set up infrastructure for the rural campus, the university authorities have decided to approach the Government again with a revised estimate for funds.
A week back, the State Government had allowed the Higher Education Department to take possession of land identified for the campus in Jajpur district. Last year, the then Jajpur Collector had identified 70 acres of land at Chandikhole in the district, but beyond that nothing much was done to alienate the land to the department. In a notification on Saturday last, the Government directed the department to take advance possession of 66.3 acres of the identified land.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced the rural campus of Utkal University during foundation day ceremony of the students’ union two and a half years ago. The rural campus will focus on skill development of students. Apart from research and outreach activities, the university plans to shift the newly-opened teacher training courses (B.Ed and M.Ed) to the rural campus.
The new Vice-Chancellor of the university Soumendra Mohan Patnaik will also take over charge on July 31.