‘Govt taking steps to improve rankings of state varsities’

Higher education minister Arun Kumar Sahoo tells Hemanta Pradhan about state government’s effort to improve rankings of state universities following a disappointing show in NIRF.
State universities did not do well in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)…
Utkal University was in the rank band of 101-150 last year, but this year it has secured a place among the top 100 universities in the country. Though 96 is not a great rank, it is definitely an improvement from 146th. Even Sambalpur University found a place in the rank band of 101-150, while Berhampur University, secured a place in the 151-200 band. I hope these universities, and others in the state, will get good rank from next year onwards. We are taking all measures to help the universities improve research work and other parameters.
Teacher shortage and poor research output seem to be the reasons afflicting state universities. How do you propose to address them?
The higher education department had already issued notification for recruitment of faculty members in different universities. The process was started before Covid-19 hit the state. Two universities had completed the recruitment process but others could not do it because of the pandemic. We are ready to appoint teachers as soon as the situation gets better. After recruitment of teachers, we will have full strength in the universities. It will help us garner points in the rankings. Another major thing is research work. We have issued notification for PhD scholars. Good scholars and teachers will soon join the universities to continue research work.
How do you intend to strengthen research work in universities?
Since last year, the state government has been providing incentive for research work in higher education institutes. Scholars and young faculty members are getting fellowships to carry out research work through this initiative. Our initiative ‘Odisha University Research and Innovation Incentivisation Plan’ (OURIIP) will provide seed capital to some selected scholars for research. We are also providing research fellowship to NET qualifiers who have not made it to junior research fellowship but have done well.
One of the major components for research work is a guide. After completion of our teacher recruitment process, all universities will get teachers according to vacancies. It will help scholars to get guides and go ahead with their research work.
Students are worried to appear in exams owing to Covid-19 fear. Your take on this…
We have promoted second and fourth semester UG students and second semester PG students. We have also used alternative methods of evaluation for end semesters/final year exams of UG and PG students instead of holding offline exams. If any student wants to appear in exams, he/she can appeal before the university or college and do so. Notification regarding this has been issued to universities and colleges on Thursday. Students, teachers and experts welcomed this decision. We heard students’ concern while taking this decision. We are taking other steps to tackle the pandemic.