Odisha HRD

XIM Bhubaneswar’s plans and status report

Following is an excerpt from a report in Business Standard.

…XIMB had sought 60 acres of land from the Orissa government in Bhubaneswar for developing its second campus but the B-school’s plans was marred by inordinate delay on the part of the state government in allotment of land.

“We have already taken up the issue of allotment of land with the state chief minister, industries secretary and other relevant officials. However, we are yet to receive any communication from the state government on allotment of land”, Joseph clarified.

The institute was open to set up its second campus in alternative locations of the state like Cuttack and Khurda if land was unavailable in the city.

Meanwhile, it had also started scouting for private land in Cuttack and Khurda apart from within the city owing to delay in allotment of land by the state government and the B-school was aiming to take possession of the land by the end of this year.

The institute aimed to make its second campus operational by 2012 to mark the 25th year of formation of XIMB.

In another development, XIMB is set to roll out the part-time doctoral programme in management in its existing campus from the next academic session.

This programme is being designed for those work executives who cannot pursue full-time doctoral course in management.

…  At present, XIMB offers Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) with an intake of 15 participants every year.

…  XIMB had recently entered into a MoU (memorandum of understanding) with the US-based Eastern Michigan University for offering dual degree programmes to its students.

According to the MoU, the students of XIMB will spend two semesters at the Eastern Michigan University and they will be awarded certificates in post graduate programmes like MS degree in Information Systems and MS in Organisational Behaviour apart from the conventional MBA course.

XIMB is awaiting the approval of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for offering the dual degree programmes to its students.

With an annual intake of over 1,000 students, XIMB currently has tie-ups with ten overseas B-schools in Germany, France and Spain.

Talking to some people who are in the know, the govt. is trying to give 60 acres of land to XIMB for its second campus. The delay is due to several reasons, but the govt. is definitely trying. The possible location of this is near Naraj Mundali in the area called Ramdaspur. This is within a km or two of the Sri Sri University location. That area is slowly becoming a knowledge hub with the following proposed institutions:

• Sri Sri University, Govindpur (near Arilo), Naraj side
• National law school, Brajabiharipur, Cuttack side
• XIM Second campus, Ramdaspur, Naraj side
• Ravenshaw University second campus, Bidanasi, Cuttack side

3 comments November 4th, 2008

Recruitment evaluation criteria at Orissa universities and perhaps in many state universities across India

Following is the recruitment criteria that is used at Orissa state Universities (except BPUT and OUAT) and perhaps in many other state universities across India.

(a) The Selection Committee shall consists of :-

(i) The Vice Chancellor. (ii) The DHE, (iii) 3 experts selected by the Vice Chancellor from a panel of six names prepared by the syndicate (iv) an expert nominated by the Chancellor in case of appoint to the post of Professor.

The quorum at a meeting of the Selection Committee shall be four of whom at least two shall be experts including the expert nominated by the Chancellor, if any.

(b) Evaluation of candidates

Evaluation of candidates for different teaching posts in the University (Professor, Reader, Lecturer)

1. GENERAL CAREER (30 MARKS)

(a) 1st Class 2nd Class 3rd Class

      (i) HSC 4 2 1

      (ii) Intermediate (+2) 4 2 1

      (iii) Degree / Honours 8 4 1.5 (Pass)

      (iv) Distinction 2 2 2 (Pass)

      (v) P.G. Degree

            75 – 100 % 12

            65 – 74 % 9

            55 – 64 % 6

            45 – 54 % 4

      (b) Marks for matriculation and Intermediate may be re-distributed as follows in the case of candidates passing Higher Secondary / Pre-University / Pre-Professional etc. in cases where Higher Secondary Examination is initial assessable examination. H.S.C. mark (of 4.2.1) be added to it making it 6, 3 and 1.5 for I, II and III divisions.

      1st Class 2nd Class 3rd Class

      (i) Higher Secondary 6 3 1.5

      (ii) Pre-University 2 1 0.5

      (iii) Pre-Professional 2 1 0.5

      (c) In case of candidates from Universities / Institutions which follow the system of grades, their grades shall be converted to mark as under:

      ‘O’  Grade — 75 – 100 %

      ‘A’  Grade — 65 – 74 %

      ‘B’  Grade — 55 – 64 %

      ‘C’  Grade — 45 – 54 %

      ‘D’  Grade — 35 – 44 %

      (d) In the case of candidates with more than one Bachelor’s Degree, only the Degree in the concerned ‘subject’ shall be awarded marks and the Division obtained will be treated at par with the Honours.

2. RESEARCH DEGREE (20 MARKS) :

      M.Phil. — 03 Marks

      Ph.D.  — 10 Marks

      D.Sc/ D.Litt. — 12 Marks

      M.Phil + Ph.D. — 12 Marks

      M.Phil + D.Sc./D.Litt — 14 Marks

      Ph.D. + D.Sc./D.Litt — 18 Marks

      M.Phil + Ph.D + D.Sc/DLitt — 20 Marks

3. TEACHING EXPERIENCE (10 MARKS) :

      PG teaching  — 1 Mark per year

      Honours teaching —  0.75 marks per year

      Graduate level —  0.50 marks per year

4. PH.D GUIDANCE (5 MARKS) :

      One mark for each Ph.D awarded

5. RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS (15 MARKS)

      10 marks for International Journals and

      5 marks for National Journal

6. VIVA-VOCE (15 MARKS)

7. CCRS / PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL REPORT (PAR) – 5 MARKS

The above is ridiculous. May be it made sense in 1950 or 1960 when there were very few Ph.Ds. In the current situation it does not make sense at all. Fortunately, Ravenshaw University is trying to have a different criteria of evaluation than the above.

3 comments October 19th, 2008

Ravenshaw to house a regional centre of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)

Following is an excerpt from a report in expressbuzz.com.

 … The only unit of the pioneering institution of cultural diplomacy, furthering revival and strengthening of cultural relations and understanding between India and other countries, in Orissa would open up a sea of opportunities for the artists and performers of the State.

The regional centre would undertake all activities of ICCR at the local level and extend the benefits from providing assistance to the artists to scholarships to students for culture studies.  

Vice-Chancellor Devdas Chotray said the centre would provide the much-needed handle for showcasing the art and culture of Orissa on the global platform.  

Artists from here would be empanelled for the exchange programmes, exhibitions and performances abroad. Students would also be provided with scholarships to undertake culture studies abroad.  

 

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Meanwhile, the university has also applied to the University Grants Commission for starting an Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC) to churn out audio-visual educational programmes for the benefit of the large number of students in remote regions of the State.  

The possibility of the GoI nod is very high and with it Ravenshaw University would become the 18th EMRC in the country. The St. Xavier’s Autonomous College at Kolkata, which has over 22 years of experience in the field, would provide the technological knowhow and attune the infrastructure, faculty and students to the system.  

The centre would be producing educational content meant to take knowledge and learning beyond classrooms, which would be telecast through EDUSAT. With approvals forthcoming, the facility would be up and coming by the year-end, the Vice-Chancellor said.

October 14th, 2008

Ravenshaw to set up “Akshaya Mohanty Centre for Contemporary Music”

Following is an excerpt from a news report in expressbuzz.com.

The initiative envisages establishment of not only one of the richest repository of contemporary music in the country but also offer educational programmes in niche areas relating to it. And, what better way of starting it than by naming it as Akshaya Mohanty Centre for Contemporary Music, after the legendary singer of Orissa. 

The project, in fact, would come up in association with the Akshay Mohanty Foundation (AMF) and entails an investment of Rs 1 crore. Both Ravenshaw University and the foundation would be pooling Rs 50 lakh each. 

 A provisional MoU was signed between the university and foundation here today. As per the agreement, the foundation would prepare a detailed project report on the basis of which work would commence. The music library would be up and running within a year, Vice-Chancellor Devdas Chotray said.  

The library would not only store and archive Oriya contemporary music but also other Indian languages like Hindi along with English, Japanese, African, French, Latin, Deutsch etc. ‘‘It would have listening boxes where students can listen to the music without disturbing each other. We also have proposals to enable community access to one of its kind facility in Orissa,’’ the Vice-Chancellor informed.  

The centre also plans to start Department of Sound and Department of Presentation to offer courses in the areas that are now considered integral parts of music and performance. The Department of Sound would train students in the best studio management and recording practices using the latest technology, while the Department of Presentation would arm the musical performers from singers to musicians to instrumentalists with a riveting stage presence.  

‘‘Today stage presence like proper posture and positioning along with placement of instruments and accessories is deemed a prerequisite at the international-level. The course which would be run by expert faculty drawn from across the country aims at preparing our artistes for the international audience. Further, both the departments would be used by students for in-house productions for Ravenshaw Radio and other performances,’’ he added.

October 13th, 2008

153 Faculty poistions at Ravenshaw University, Cuttack

The details are at http://ravenshawuniversity.com/common/recruitment-for-faculty-positions.htm.

•    How to Apply
•    Details of Posts, Qualification, Specialisation, Scale of Pay etc.
•  Application Format

Following is from http://ravenshawuniversity.com/File/Recruitment%20for%20Faculty%20Positions.pdf.

a) It will be open to the university to consider names of suitable candidates who might not have applied. b) Merely fulfilling the minimum qualification does not entitle a candidate to be necessarily considered or called for interview. c) Applications received after the last date may be considered. d) University reserves the right not to fill up any of the vacancies advertised if the circumstances so warrant. e) Relaxation of any of the qualification may be made in exceptional cases on the recommendation of the selection committee. f) Separate application is required for each post. g) No deputation allowances shall be paid h) No TA / DA will be paid to attend the selection committee or to join the first appointment. i) Canvassing in any form by or on behalf of the candidates will be considered as disqualification.

5 comments September 7th, 2008

Universities and university like institutes in and around Bhubaneswar: a map

Update: The IIT site has been changed. So the new map is as follows:

Old map:

1 comment June 20th, 2008

Ravenshaw on its way to become universally accessible

Thanks to initiatives by activist, poet and story-writer Sruti Mohapatra and the VC of Ravenshaw University, Ravenshw University’s proposal to make it universally accessible has been accepted and the university has received initial funds for it. Ravenshaw may thus become Orissa’s first universally accessible college/university/campus; and may be even the country’s first universally accessible university.

The budget that was submitted was as follows. I think all of it has been accepted. (Not 100% sure.)

CONSTRUCTION & MODIFICATION

GENERAL
SIGNAGE                                    Rs.    25,000
AUDIO SYSTEM                            Rs.  2,55,000
SERVICE & INFORMATION COUNTERS            Rs.  3,33,000
TOILET                                    Rs.  2,25,000
CLASSROOMS                                Rs.  10,00,00
SEMINAR ROOM                            Rs.  1,00,000
LIBRARY                                    Rs. 8,00,000
TALKING LIBRARY                            Rs. 2,00,000
LABORATORIES                            Rs.  3,00,000
DRINKING WATER FACILITY                    Rs.  1,00,000
HOSTEL                                    Rs. 15,00,000
PLAYGROUND                                Rs. 25,00,000

GROUND FLOOR
PATHWAYS                                Rs.  4,00,000
RAMP                                    Rs.  2,00,000

FIRST FLOOR
HANDRAILS                                 Rs.  3,20,000
RAMP FOR THE FIRST FLOOR                Rs.  4,00,000
STEPS AND STAIRS                        Rs.  2,00,000
ELEVATORS                                Rs.  10,00,000
EMERGENCY EVACUATION                    Rs.  2,00,000

SETTING UP SPECIALISED LABORATORIES, LIBRARY
AND RESOURCE ROOM

TENTATIVE                                      Rs.  25,00,000

SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS
12 WORKSHOPS                            Rs.  12,00,000

ARCHITECT’S FEES
CONCESSIONAL                            Rs.  20,00,000

April 19th, 2008

Ravenshaw will offer MBA; XIMB will help

Following is an excerpt from a news report in New Indian Express.

The course would be offered with the active collaboration of Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB), said registrar Satyakam Mishra.

The premier B-school, apart from providing faculty, will also train teachers of the varsity. It will design the course content and provide consultancy on several aspects including admission and placement. Besides, students can also make use of XIMB’s library facilities, he said.

… Once introduced, human resource personnel felt Ravenshaw’s MBA course will trigger an unprecedented demand among management aspirants, given the brand name both carry.

The programme will undoubtedly set a bench mark for itself in the State. Mishra said the master’s degree programme will comprise 60 seats to begin with. The selection procedure is being worked out. Scores of XIMB conducted test and CAT may be taken into consideration.

However, the understanding with XIMB will be for two years. If the course proves successful, it will be extended, he noted.

The varsity has already initiated steps to set up the department and renovate an existing hostel for the MBA students.

April 9th, 2008

More details on the 140 positions at Ravenshaw University

 The state governmentt of Orissa has recently sanctioned 140 faculty positions for the  Ravenshaw University. These positions already existed in the strength of erstwhile Ravenshaw College. They have now been created in the establishment of Ravenshaw University, and the process will soon begin for recruitment against them.

 The posts sanctioned, discipline wise, are as follows:

 Faculty constitutes the most critical input in the life of an educational institution. It is they who define the level of excellence and intellect which the university fosters. Great care therefore has to be taken in selecting the faculty at the foundation stage as they will determine the future course of its growth and development.

            The formal notice and advertisement for the faculty recruitment will soon be posted both in this website and elsewhere. This may be treated as an advance intimation of the recruitment process. Through this we are requesting the friends of Ravenshaw, within the country and abroad, to help us select the best faculty for this institution. Any lapse at this stage in choosing the right kind of faculty will be too costly to regret.

            Clearly we need versatile persons who, apart from their academic excellence, will be good at developing an academic culture to cope with contemporary times. They will be institution builders who can give vision and direction to their schools and departments.

            Our recruitment shall be for tenure positions. We would also consider contractual appointments and employment of superannuated persons as well as visiting faculties if their credentials are up to the mark. Academics who love Ravenshaw,  and who had the opportunity of building themselves in other institutions of excellence, both within the country and abroad, may consider taking up short term assignments to lay foundation of the new university. Their contribution, arising out of their exposure and experience, will be greatly valued.

            We shall be happy to receive expressions of intent as well as enquires about these matters by correspondence through ravenshawuniversity@yahoo.co.in. 

10 comments March 15th, 2008

Scholarships at Ravenshaw University

Following is an excerpt from a report in Pioneer.

A sum of Rs 23. 35 lakh has been earmarked for scholarships to be given to 646 students of Ravenshaw University in the coming academic year, University sources said on Monday.

… At least 24 students will receive the national scholarships of an amount of Rs 1, 12,042 and another 510 students will receive about Rs 20 lakh as post-matriculation scholarship for SC and ST students.

Besides, there are 50 senior merit scholarships and 30 PG merit scholarships are available for students in the ensuing academic year. There are other scholarships like senior merit-cum-means (8), PG merit-cum-means (5), physically challenged (8), mining scholarships (4) and two SEBC scholarships available for the university students in 2008-09 academic
session.

All the annual scholarships will continue including the POSCO scholarship, which is given to four students for an amount of Rs 88, 696.

3 comments March 11th, 2008

144 faculty positions available in Ravenshaw University, Cuttack

For more information on this historic university, originally established as a college in 1868, please see http://www.ravenshawuniversity.com/. The university has a total of 144 faculty positions available in all departments and at all levels. For all the positions, Ph.D is a requirement. If you are interested, please send your bio-data to:

Devdas Chhotray,
Vice-Chancellor

Ravenshaw University
Cuttack 753003

Orissa,

India

9 comments March 5th, 2008

Ravenshaw to have its own FM radio

Following is an excerpt from a report in New Indian Express.

CUTTACK: ‘Good morningggg! Cuttack.

This is 96.0 RavenshawRadio’, would exhort a cheerful, invigorating voice gently nudging denizens out of their sleep – in a few months time.

The first campus radio of the State has begun to take shape at the Ravenshaw University and would go on air before the start of the next academic session.

Basically, a campus radio with community content, the FM service would have a coverage area from 7 to 10 km reaching out to the entire population of the Millennium City.

The radio station would be a fully student-run entity, under supervision of faculty members, broadcasting programmes not confined to education only but on diverse topics related to the community and Cuttack City. ‘It would be essentially an infotainment bouquet.

The students would be doing programmes on studies, campus news as well as other social issues, information on developments and happenings in the city, cultural events along with transmitting entertainment content like music. The students would conceptualise, produce the content and host, jockey, report and newsread,’ said Vice-Chancellor Devdas Chotray.

The FM Facility has already obtained the licences from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the project installation would be executed by Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL). Joint General Manager of BECIL J P Nathani and his team are visiting the university on Wednesday in this connection.

The premier college of Orissa would join a few select institutions of the country like Anna University of Chennai, University of Pune, Goa University, IGNOU, Jamia Millia University and Karnataka State Open University in having their own FM radio service. …

9 comments January 23rd, 2008

Centenary of Ravenshaw Chemistry department: a Samaja op-ed by Prof. P. L. Nayak

2 comments January 14th, 2008

Orissa has asked for two central universities: Assembly answer by Higher Education minister (in Samaja)

November 23rd, 2007

Ravenshaw extension campus to start soon

Following is an excerpt from a report in Pioneer.

Works of the extension campus of the Ravenshaw Unitary University would be started soon and the university would also be made one of the best study destinations in the country, said senior BJD leader and Rajya Sabha member Pyari Mohan Mohapatra .

He was addressing the concluding day of the annual function of the University Students’ Union on Tuesday.

Recollecting the past glory of the historic educational institution of the State, he further added that funds would not be a major problem for growth of the Ravenshaw University. The institution has produced so many scholars in various fields and it would continue its magic in the future too, he hoped.

November 16th, 2007

Samaja letter to the editor on two central universities for Orissa

November 15th, 2007