BHUBANESWAR: Students of Ramadevi Women’s University, first women’s university in the state, on Monday called off their stir demanding immediate selection of land for second campus of the university and withdrawal of the decision to abolish teaching posts of erstwhile Ramadevi Women’s Autonomous College.
Soubhagya Soumyashree Samal, president of university students’ union, told media in the evening after holding a discussion with the senior officials of the higher education department. “The officials assured us to look into the matter by discussing with different stakeholders. If they do not fulfill our demands, we will again stage protest on these issues,” she added.
Earlier in the day, the students locked down university gate shouting slogans against the higher education department for abolishing the RD women’s college. Later they blocked Vani Vihar-Master Canteen road flaunting placards. “The university has 46 affiliated colleges after it became university in 2015. What obstructed the government to abolish a well-known autonomous college of the state,” said Samal. She said the government can bring the college into the jurisdiction of the university without abolishing it.
On second campus issue, students said the state government cannot locate a suitable land for second campus of the university during last two and a half years. “Due to this problem, our university cannot hold sports meet, modern laboratories and research centres,” said a student. An officer of additional secretary rank in higher education department said the state government will finalize a land very soon. On the abolition of posts of the autonomous college, he said the department is considering the proposal.
On Friday, teachers of the university had staged dharna in front of registrar’s office here protesting abolition of 71 teaching posts of erstwhile Ramadevi Women’s Autonomous College. Students had also supported the demand of the teachers and torched tyres in front of the university gate opposing the abolition of the teaching posts.
