Odisha's Higher Education Overhaul: Upcoming Amendments and New Initiatives

The Odisha government is set to amend the controversial Odisha University (Amendment) Act 2020. Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj announced the changes including rectifying issues and addressing the appointment of vice-chancellors. Furthermore, the introduction of a new financial assistance scheme for UG & PG students is underway to replace the previous NUA-O scholarship scheme.

The Odisha government is poised to amend the contentious Odisha University (Amendment) Act 2020, a law introduced by the previous BJD government, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj revealed to the state Assembly on Friday.

Responding to a question from BJD legislator Ganeswar Behera, Suraj said, ''We will certainly address and rectify the Act enacted by the BJD government.'' This announcement follows a letter from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urging the amendment.

The minister addressed the appointment of vice-chancellors at public universities in Jeypore and Baripada, currently managed by officers on special duty. The amendment aims to resolve this issue and the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff. The previous Act's provisions are seen as deviating from UGC regulations and compromising university autonomy by nominating a higher education secretary representative in university syndicates, which has faced criticism from intellectuals and MLAs.

Suraj also addressed the lack of government degree colleges in Jharsuguda, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur districts, promising to establish them soon. Additionally, he informed that the state will no longer fund the Nutana Unnata Abhilasha, Odisha' (NUA-O) scholarship scheme, as a new 'Financial Assistance to UG & PG Students' scheme is in development.

(With inputs from agencies.)