Odisha HRD

OP Jindal-IGNOU community colleges in Angul and Barbil

These will be the first institutes in Odisha labelled as community colleges. The one in Angul is already operating. Its web page is http://opjcc.org/Angul.htm.

3 comments May 13th, 2011

SUIIT offers two B.Tech, two M.Tech, three M.Sc and an MCA program in its second year

It now has its own website at http://suiit.ac.in/. Following is the ad that appeared in various newspapers.

Following is a screen copy of the web page of SUIIT.

With the new B.Tech programs, Sambalpur University will become the first general university of Odisha to offer such a program. Kudos to its VC for his vision and this unique achievement.

May 13th, 2011

Ad for 2011-12 admission at the Regional Institute of Education Bhubaneswar

3 comments May 11th, 2011

Which branch to take for Engineering Diploma in Odisha?

These days many students after their Class X exam instead of joining a +2Sc/Arts/Commerce program enroll in an engineering diploma program. The reason being:

(a) They can avail of lateral entry to the 2nd year of B.E program if they have "Pass in 3 years diploma course in Engineering with at least 50% ( 45% in case of candidate belong to SC / ST category) marks in aggregate from State Council of Technical Education and Training (SCTE&VT)". For them there is a reservation of "Upto a maximum of twenty percent of sanctioned intake capacity of 2010-20 11 in appropriate discipline of engineering (these seats will be over and above the intake capacity) and carry forward vacant seats of first year of engineering (as per list submitted by JEE-2010) will be available for lateral entry at third semester level."

(b) They can also join the first year of B.E program if they wish to do that.

Now when choosing what branch in Diploma they should pursue they should look at the following table from the JEE prospectus. It will tell them from which diploma branch they can join "laterally" (i.e, to the second year) to which B.E. branch .

As per the JEE 2011 stipulations, the most flexible branch seems to be "Mechatronics" as it allows them to pursue Mechanical Engineering as well as several Electronics related branches.  (This may change in the future. So students need to check the latest JEE prospectus.)

1 comment May 9th, 2011

Update on the proposed new 20 IIITs

Following is an excerpt from a report by Charu Sudan Kasturi in Hindustan Times.

HRD minister Kapil Sibal had set up the panel under former Infosys human resources head TV Mohandas Pai to recommend for selection of private partners for the project, which was announced in 2008.

… The panel has recommended that only a consortium of between three and five firms be allowed to partner the Centre for each IIIT and individual firms be barred from partnering solo on an IIIT. Both IT and non-IT companies can partner under the Pai panel’s blueprint.

Each industry partner will need to invest at least Rs 2 crore, and the industry consortium must contribute 15% of the funding required for the IIIT, except in northeast states where they need to provide just 7.5% of the funds. The states government will provide 35% of the funds while the Centre will provide the largest chunk — 50% in most states and 57.5% in northeastern states.

Only members of industry bodies like Assocham, Ficci or CII are eligible and public-listed firms, which have been in operation for at least five years will be preferred. The same company can be a part of consortiums running different IIITs.

The private partners — who are expected to benefit from a steady stream of students entering their industry — will have 25% seats in the Board of Governors, under the blueprint.

May 9th, 2011

Seat availability to study MBA and MCA in Odisha via Odisha JEE 2011

The following is extracted from the Odisha JEE 2011 brochure. Thanks to a post in rourkelacity.com for the pointer.

Note that one can study PG Diploma in Business Management and similar subjects (such as Rural Management) in several other institutions. Those are not listed above. Some of these institutions are: XIM Bhubaneswar, IMI Bhubaneswar, HDF Business School Bhubaneswar, IITTM Bhubaneswar, etc.

One can also pursue B.Sc (Hons) in Computer Science and M.Sc Computer Science in several institutions. SUIIT (Sambalpur University Institute of Information Technology) also offers courses in IT that are not listed above.

May 9th, 2011

Seat availability to study medicine, dentistry and pharmacy in Odisha via Odisha JEE 2011

The following is extracted from the Odisha JEE 2011 brochure. Thanks to a post in rourkelacity.com for the pointer.

Note that in addition medicine and dentistry seats are also available at KIMS (part of KIIT) and IMS (part of SOA) Bhubaneswar.

May 9th, 2011

Seat availavility to study architecture in Odisha (via Odisha JEE 2011)

The following is extracted from the Odisha JEE 2011 brochure. Thanks to a post in rourkelacity.com for the pointer.

May 8th, 2011

Seat availability in Engineering Colleges in Odisha via JEE 2011

The following is extracted from the Odisha JEE 2011 brochure. Thanks to a post in rourkelacity.com for the pointer.

Note that in addition to the above colleges (8 govt + 94 private), students can study engineering at the following other institutions in Odisha; but one needs to use different channels to get admitted there.

• NIT Rourkela
• KIIT Bhubaneswar
• SOA Bhubaneswar
• Agricultural Engineering at OUAT Bhubaneswar
• IIT Bhubaneswar
• SU-IIT Sambalpur

In total, aspiring students of Odisha currently have  a total of 108 institutions to pursue their Engineering degree.

2 comments May 8th, 2011

Excerpts from TOI interview with the new Utkal University VC Dr. Prashant Kumar Sahu

The interview is at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Student-unrest-wont-occur-in-my-tenure-Prof-Sahu/articleshow/8171439.cms. Following are some excerpts.

Q-The University is often in the news for the wrong reasons like mismanagement, student unrest, etc. What is your plan to bring Utkal University back on track?

A-I want Utkal University to be a centre of excellence and lead centre in research and consultancy works both at the national and international-levels. I studied here. I also taught here. I have a vision. I will try my best in making positive contribution towards achieving the goal during my tenure.

Q-How?

A-Actually we have to develop inter-disciplinary teaching and research. There is a need to restructure the post-graduate programme. One person cannot do this. Hence, I stress upon team work. In other words, different departments ought to sit together, discuss what is being taught to students and their relevance and, if required, redesign them. The changing scenario also warrants the university to reorient its focus, to be collaborative with industries which will eventually benefit the students and the institution as well.

Q-Any specific plan?

A-Professional and job-oriented courses are the need of the time. I have plans to open such programmes like fashion technology, geo-informatics and environment science. I will discuss with my colleagues and explore possibilities of opening other relevant courses.

Q-But Utkal University already has a number of such courses. Don’t you think before going for new ones those already there need to be reviewed to find out the net benefits they are giving to the students?

A-Sure, I agree the course module has to be so designed that students taking admission must not feel they are wasting their time and that they become truly employable. We have a lot of self-financing courses. I will review the course curriculum through experts and go for changes wherever necessary.

Q-Any move for foreign tie-up?

A-That is very much there in my mind. I will explore the possibility of Utkal University undertaking research or launching new course programmes in collaboration with foreign universities. The university has to have linkages with industries. This will go a long way in helping students. I will try to set up some school of studies. For example, management, economics, commerce and personnel management and industrial relations (PMIR) could jointly become a school of studies for the purpose of research and other academic activities.

… I am also a product of the IIM-Ahmedabad. I know management. Utkal University requires a professional and qualified vice-chancellor. I fit the bill.

…

Q-A good library has always been the most attractive place for students. Do you believe the Parija Library meets expectations?

A-A library is the mirror of any educational institution. I have taken it as my priority to improve the quality of the library in the campus. I will try to equip it with latest technology so that students could use it round-the-clock. I have already had a word with the chief librarian. I have sought for a wish list, to be submitted to me soon. Accordingly, we will proceed.

Q-There are also allegations of financial irregularities against the university. What are you going to do with that?

A-I am a professor of finance. I will streamline it.

Q-What about modernizing the administrative apparatus?

A-That is going to happen. There will be an academic calendar, to be followed religiously. The examination system will be completely computerized. On the whole, there will be greater use of information technology in the functioning of the university. Times have changed. We have to tune ourselves so as not to fall behind.

Q-Just buildings or computers do not foster the right kind of academic atmosphere in a university. That is why many educational institutions in India and abroad give stress on creating greenery in their campuses. Utkal University campus pathetically looks desolate.

A-Yes, that is a point no one should forget. I am taking steps. There will be a change.

I will add my thoughts on this soon. Please add your thoughts in the comments section. Please be polite.

My thoughts:

• I disagree with the statement that "Professional and job-oriented courses are the need of the time". It was a few years back. Now, with so many new universities and colleges opening up, there is plenty of job opportunity in academic settings.
• Thus, Utkal University should focus on improving the quality of its programs, its faculty, its research and its graduates and focus on research and producing top-notch Ph.Ds who go into academia all over India.
• With the easy availability of data and information on publications, citations and various benchmarks based on that, many future decisions at MHRD, UGC, DST, etc. will be based on those data. If Utkal University does not focus on those benchmarks it will lose out and as a result Odisha will lose out.
• It should aim to have the best group in some small number of fields, say 3-4. In other words, in those fields, Utkal University should be the best in India and among the top in the world.

7 comments May 6th, 2011

Azim Premji University Bangalore to establish Institute of Learning and Development in Odisha

The web page of Azim Premji University is http://www.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/. Following is an excerpt from a report in Times of India.

The Azim Premji Foundation (APF) … has decided to set up new institutes in Orissa. "The Institute of Learning and Development will be set up in the state under Azim Premji University. We also have plans to set up low-cost model demonstration schools in the districts. The projects will begin in the next couple of years," said the chief executive officer of APF, Dileep Ranjekar.

… He announced the launch of three post-graduate courses at the university, starting from the next academic session. "The absence of a large number of committed, qualified and trained professionals is one of the major constraints in the fields of education and development. The courses we have designed in our university will definitely help prepare outstanding professionals in the education sector," said Ranjekar. The courses offered are: masters degrees in education, development and teacher education.

"There is a huge dearth of experts in the fields of education and development. Teachers’ education in the country is of very poor quality and there has been no concerted effort to improve the curriculum and pedagogy," Ranjekar said.

Those interested in studying in the university will also be provided facilities like scholarships, loans, partial or full tuition fees and living expenses. "We will ensure that no student misses out on opportunities to study in the university due to financial constraints," he maintained. Ranjekar added that the foundation also has plans to set up an institute for assessment and accreditation of educational institutes.

May 5th, 2011

Recruiting for various positions at the AIIMS-like institutes

The page http://mohfw.nic.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=0&linkid=37&lid=46  lists the progress with respect to recruitment for the new AIIMS-like institutions. Following are some links and excerpts.

Advertisement for the post of Director at each of the six AIIMS-like institutions being set up under PMSSY: Last Date of Application : 15th December, 2010

Excerpts: If you think you rate among the best, carry vision, dynamism, enterprise and intellectual integrity, and harbour a passion for establishing and heading India’s most premium healthcare institution, this could be the opportunity you have longed for. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is setting up six autonomous medical institutions in different parts of country (Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, and Rishikesh) on the lines of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. You could head one of these premier medical institutions, if you possess the right credentials.

You would lead a team of highly qualified medical professionals and teachers in different specialties, drive policy-making with innovative and best practice norms, facilitate first-rate patient care, clinical research, and academics, and create a facility of which the country can be proud. You will train the best of medical graduate and post graduate to generate much needed teaching faculty for the country.

If you think you fit the requirements, write to us.

The applications that were received are listed at: http://mohfw.nic.in/Director%20NIC.doc. (A new link is at Application received for the post of Director (AIIMS) like institutions under PMSSY Projects  (PDF, 75 KB). There are 100 applications, many from people with Odia sounding last names.

Two other ads that are listed in this page are:

• Vacancies at AIIMS like institutions under PMSSY (PDF, 92 KB).
• Filling up of various posts in Project Cell of six AIIMS-like institutions being set up under PMSSY dated 30th March, 2011
• Filling up the post of Deputy Director (Admn) in AIIMS like institution – under Min of Health & FW

69 comments May 5th, 2011

Odisha Knowledge Corporation Limited in offing along the lines of MKCL

The Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) web page is at http://www.mkcl.org/. The following tathya.in news item in Sambada reports on Odisha’s plan for Odisha Knowledge Corporation Limited along the lines of MKCL.

May 4th, 2011

Center to set up two national institutes for specialised studies on coastal eco-system and turtles and a technical institute on plumbing and coir industries

Following is from a PTI report in ibnlive.com.

Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today said the Centre would set up two national institutes for specialised studies on coastal eco-system and turtles in Orissa at an investment of Rs 50 crore. The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) would help set up these two institutes which would include a National Centre for Wetland and Coastal Eco-system Studies at a cost of Rs 40 crore, Ramesh told reporters here. The amount would be spent over the next five years and the centres would operate from Bhubaneswar and Chilika. Similarly a Centre for Turtles and Bio-diversity Studies would be established at an investment of Rs 10 crore and the state government would decide on its location, the environment minister said. …  The announcement came a day after the Union Minister said that a technical institute would be set up in Bhitarkanika National Park area in Kendrapara district to train local youths in plumbing and coir industries.

Thanks to Minister Ramesh for these. But they don’t compensate the harm that Ramesh and his ministry have done by stopping the construction of Vedanta University.

May 1st, 2011