Following is an excerpt from a report in the Pioneer.
The university will receive Rs 3 crore for its infrastructure development, while the UGC will also provide Rs 47 lakh for the year.
Besides, the university will have block grant of Rs 2.26 crore and an additional research grant of Rs 10 lakh from the State Government. The Syndicate has approved an annual budget of about Rs 6.94 crore. A 100-bed, two-storied hostel will come up on the campus soon to address the constriction.
The university has further resolved to institute scholarships to the tune of Rs 1 lakh this year to attract poor and meritorious students to pursue their studies. Research on the Jagannath culture being a major objective of the university, a sum of Rs 10 lakh received from the State Government will be utilised in it this year. Earlier, funds for research on the Jagannath culture were provided by the Puri temple trust.
Following is an excerpt from a news report in Pioneer.
Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir Trust will set up a medical college and super specialty hospital near Naraj. Earlier, it was announced to set up a private university at Naraj. It has also planned to set up health centre in all the districts of the State.
In this connection, Trust member Yezdi Batliwala called on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday at the State Secretariat.
The State Government has allotted 185.97 acres of land for this purpose. The proposed university would have a core campus comprising academic and non-academic buildings to cater to the needs of 15,000 students, 1,500 faculty and matching number of non-teaching staff.
Basic science, humanities, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, business management, law, bio-science, art, culture and Vedic studies, Ayurveda, aviation and maritime training will be on course list. The campus will house a sports complex, recreational facilities, utility centres and meditation halls.
The Human Resource Development Ministry has asked the State Government to identify land for the proposed Indian Institute of Technology and the Central University (CU) announced by the Centre.
In a communique to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Ministry has requested for 700 acres of land free of cost near the Capital for setting up Central University. …
The contour and the shape of the institutions, however, will be defined shortly. The new IT IIT and the CU will be set up during the 11th Plan period.
… In addition to this, Shri Patnaik also requested for establishment of a Central University for the KBK Region, which is one of the most backward regions in the country. He pointed out that there was a heavy concentration of the scheduled tribe and scheduled caste population in this region, which has a literacy rate below 50%. Shri Patnaik stated that setting up a Central University in the KBK region would go a long way in encouraging higher education among tribal population. He added that the university could also set up specialized centres for tribal development related studies, as tribal development was one of the biggest challenges facing the country today. Shri. Arjun Singh appreciated the rationale of having a Central University in the KBK region and sought a formal proposal in this regard from the State Government. He assured that this would receive high priority whenever the Central Government considers setting up of new central universities.
Orissa MPs also pursued it and we had sent detail proposal on it to the planning commission and HRD ministry and the PM. The similarity between the above goals and the goals of the tribal university in MP (given below) suggests that the HRD minister Mr. Arjun Singh might have stolen the idea of a central tribal university to his home state. We wrote to the Swaminadhan committee that recommended the setting up of a tribal university and also to MHRD regarding the timeline, but no response was given. If the idea was indeed stolen, then it is a pity as such opportunistic behavior by the HRD ministry would discourage states from suggesting ideas.
Even though Orissa has been given a central university (other than the world class university), Orissa should continue pursuing its goal for a separate tribal central university for two reasons:
The tribal university that Orissa wants in its KBK+ region was supposed to have multiple campuses like the one in Amar Kantak.
It should have a significant percentage of seats reserved for tribals.
SHRI ARJUN SINGH LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL TRIBAL UNIVERSITY AT AMARKANTAK IN MADHYA PRADESH
A LANDMARK INITIATIVE OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FOR FACILITATING HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOR TRIBALS
THE TRIBAL UNIVERSITY WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO WORLD-CLASS INSTITUION: ARJUN SINGH
19:2 IST
A new chapter was added today in the field of higher education and research facilities for the tribal population in the country when Union Minister of Human Resource Development ShriArjun Singh laid the foundation stone of a new CentralUniversity namely IndiraGandhiNationalTribalUniversity at Amarkantak in Anupur district, Madhya Pradesh. The objects of the University shall include, inter-alia, promoting studies and research in tribal art, culture, tradition, language, custom, medicinal systems, forest based economic activities, including special studies in the flora and fauna, and advancements in technologies relating to natural resources of the tribal areas. It shall make special provisions for the promotion of educational, economic interests and welfare of the members belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.
Speaking on this occasion, ShriArjun Singh said that this is an historical occasion and a moment of pride for the entire nation.He said that this University will go a long way in providing new direction to the youth in tribal areas in meeting the challenges of the future through education and learning. This University will have live contact and coordination with other Central universities, tribal research institutions and other higher learning and research organisations and will make use of the available knowledge from every part of the country and the world to meet its solemn objectives. He said that it is necessary to have scientific temperament, aptitude for research and respect for human values and a true faith in science and knowledge.
Shri Singh pointed out that the University will be developed into world-class institution of learning.The jurisdiction of this University will extend to the whole country. The Minister said that University will be fully funded by the Central Government through the University Grants Commission like other Central Universities. The Minister said that it is necessary to have special attachment towards the local community and special focus on the development of the local tribal areas with full dedication and commitment so as to fully meet the objectives of this University.
Referring to the inadequate participation of tribal community in higher education, the Minister said that it is a matter of serious concern as the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) is only 6.61 compared to the national GER of11.6. The GER of girls from the tribal population is even lower which is 4.69. He said that low access to higher education for the tribal youth puts them at disadvantage in higher studies. The Minister said that there is high concentration of tribal population in North Eastern states and in the area comprising parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat. While North Eastern States have at least one CentralUniversity in each State, there is no CentralUniversity especially catering to the population in the other tribal concentrated areas.
The Minister said that the University has been named after late Smt. Indira Gandhi in recognition of her deep contribution and commitment for the welfare of tribals.He said that present University will meet this requirement and will have the right to open regional centre and campus in desired areas. The Minister said that the Regional Campuses to be opened will be named after the great personalities of the concerned area like Veer Narain Singh, Goondadhur, BirsaMunda etc. so as to pay nation’s tribute to them.
He said that universities are generally established in big metros or urban areas and there are advantages of locating the universities in such areas. But the true flavour of the tribal University will come only if it is located in the midst of tribal areas. The very purpose of the establishment of this University is to make it a prime mover for development in the tribal areas hitherto neglected. He said that the seat of the University has been chosen to be a Central point in the tribal areas stretching between Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.He said that Amarkantak is a great pilgrim centre as well as source of the two important rivers of the country namely Narmada and Sone.
ShriArjun Singh thanked the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, for ensuring adequate land and proper facilities of electricity and water for this prestigious project.
The Minister hoped that the University will soon select all its managing authorities. He pointed out that the Act of this University has a special provision to ensure adequate representation of Scheduled Tribes in various bodies of the University. The Minister said that though in 11th Five Year Plan, the Central Government is opening several institutions in the field of higher education like IITs, NITs and Management Institutions, but this tribal University will have a pivotal role among them in higher education. The Minister called upon everybody to contribute for the development of this great institution of learning.
The messages of Her Excellency Smt. PratibhaDevisinghPatil, President of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, and Smt. Sonia Gandhi, UPA Chairperson were also read out on this occasion. Dr. S.N. Subbarao, noted Gandhian and founder of National Service Scheme presided over the programme. Shri Vijay Shah, Minister for Forest and Scheduled Tribe Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Smt. JamunaDevi, Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Shri Suresh Pachauri, former Union Minister, ShriCharanDasMahant, former Minister in Government of Madhya Pradesh, , ShriDalpat Singh Parastay, Member of Parliament (Shadol Constituency), Shri R.P. Agrawal, Secretary, Dept. of Higher Education in the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India were among those present on this occasion.
Thanks to initiatives by activist, poet and story-writerSruti 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
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
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.
The draft bill was cleared by the state cabinet, which was chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik, today.
The existing law allows the establishment of only government-run university in the state.
The government has, therefore, drafted a unitary law to facilitate self-financed and self-governed private university to be set up by Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir Trust.
Chief secretary Ajit Tripathy said the bill would be introduced in the Assembly in the next session. There will be a provision in the bill for representation of the government in the management board through a senior officer.
… This would be the first private university to be set up in Orissa for which draft legislation has been formulated.
Meanwhile, the government has allotted 185.97 acres at Naraj on the outskirts of Cuttack for the project.
The university would have a core campus comprising academic and non-academic buildings to cater to the needs of 15,000 students, 1,500 faculty and matching number of non-teaching staff.
Basic science, humanities, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, business management, law, bio-science, art, culture and Vedic studies, ayurveda, aviation and maritime training will be on course list.
The campus will house a sports complex, recreational facilities, utility centres and meditation halls.
The university would be fully residential with hostels for faculty as well as students. Necessary infrastructure such as roads, communication, water, sewerage, effluent treatment system, power distribution, medical and banking facilities will be provided by the proposed university management in a phase-wise manner.
Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Kapil Sibal on Friday said a School of Life Science would be established in one of the universities of the State.
Addressing a Press Conference here, Sibal said the Centre would provide all help in establishing the Infectious Disease Research Unit in the premises of the SCB Medical College, Cuttack. He was here to lay the foundation stone for a new research building of Institute of Life Science
Sibal further said that the Research Unit would be set up with the help of the Institute of Life Science. "Four existing colleges will be given the status of star college in Orissa," he announced, adding that the star college would be equipped with all sorts of modern facilities and technology. Students would be encouraged to take up research works particularly in the field of bio-technology. "Biotechnology has to play a key role in the country’s development," he said.
PRESS NOTE – STATES IDENTIFIED FOR LOCATING NEW CENTRAL INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE 11TH FIVE YEAR PLAN
11:55 IST
The 11th Five Year Plan, endorsed by the National Development Council in December, 2007, envisages, inter-alia, establishment of the following new higher education institutions in the Central sector:
ATechnical Education Institutions
·8 Indian Institutes of Technology
·7 Indian Institutes of Management
BCentral Universities
·14Universities aiming at world class standards
·16Universities in States which do not have a CentralUniversity at present
2.Out of the above new institutions, location decisions had already been taken in the case of 4 IITs and one IIM. Hon’ble Prime Minister has since approved the proposals made by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, for the location of the remaining institutions as per the details given below.
Location of new IITs/ IIMs.
3.Location of 4 IITs(in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh),and one IIM (at Shillong) have already been announced. The Central Government has now decided to locate the remaining 4 IITs and 6 IIMs in the following States :–
IIMs –Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh (Raipur), Uttarakhand and Haryana In addition, it is also proposed to convert the Institute of Technology of the BanarasHinduUniversityinto an IIT.Admission to this Institute is already based on theIIT – Joint Entrance Examination.
Location of 14 World Class Universities
4.As regards 14 Central Universities aiming atworld class standards, it has been considered necessary that these are located in or near selected large cities which would automatically have the kind of connectivity and infrastructurewhich such universities would need.Accordingly, it has been decidedto locate one such University in each of the 14 States/Regionas shownin theenclosed List, and to request concerned State Governments to identify adequate land in or near theselectedcities.
Location of 16 Central Universities in Uncovered States
5.16 States which do not have aCentral University at present, and which will get oneCentral University eachin the11th Plan areBihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Goa.Of these, in three States, existing State Universities will be taken over by the Central Government and converted into Central Universities. Thesethree Universities areDr. Hari Singh Gaur University, Sagar (in Madhya Pradesh), GuruGhasidasUniversity, Bilaspur (in Chhattisgarh), and GoaUniversity.
6.Establishment of IITs, IIMs and CentralUniversities in the above States is subject to State Governments offering adequateland at suitable locations, free of cost, for the purpose.Each of the concerned State Government is being requested to offer land accordingly.Actual establishment of these institutions would however depend, among other things, on how quickly the concerned State Governments respondby allotting adequate land at suitable locations.
State-wise List of Cities Identified for locating 14 Central Universities during theXIth Planwhich would aim to achieveworld classstandards
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:
Departments
Professor
Reader
Lecturer
1
Bengali
–
–
01
2
Botany
01
03
06
3
Chemistry
01
04
08
4
Commerce
01
03
06
5
Computer Science
–
–
03
6
Economics
01
03
06
7
Education
01
02
05
8
English
01
04
07
9
Geography
–
02
04
10
Hindi
–
–
02
11
History
01
02
04
12
Mathematics
01
02
05
13
Oriya
01
02
05
14
Philosophy
–
–
03
15
Physics
01
03
05
16
Political Science
01
02
04
17
Psychology
–
02
03
18
Sanskrit
–
01
02
19
Sociology
–
02
03
20
Statistics
–
01
01
21
Urdu
–
01
01
22
Zoology
01
02
04
Total
12
40
88
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.
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.
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: