Update: The news item in Samaja.

Tathya writes about this. Following are some excerpts.
Central University of Orissa (CUO) will begin classes from June. … While CUO will have its campus in Koraput, to begin with a temporary campus near Bhubaneswar is being looked out to start classes from next Educational Year.
That is why Professor Banerjee has requested the Government of Orissa in Higher Education department to provide a rented accommodation.
Mr.Padhi has agreed to provide all out support for the institution.
Professor Banerjee is interested to make it a different institution and is inclined to start at least 30-35 departments in the newly carved out Centre of Learning.
However to start with the CUO will have 5 subjects and later it will go on including further, said sources.
… Those CUs, which has not identified land for the institution in the designated place, those can start it from the Capital City of the state, said sources.
So Professor Banerjee is busy in organizing things for facilitating classes from next June. Faculty hiring is the foremost in her mind and as she is eager to make it a top class university, the VC wants to rope in best of the talents from the country.
She is also interested to open Medical College in the University, but it will take time.
… Professor Baral of Arizona State University said only five of the 15 new central universities will have a medical college in the first phase (i.e.,during the 11th plan).
So the ability of the VC Professor Banerjee will be tested in whether she is able to get a medical and engineering college to the Central University of Orissa, feel the educationist.
Considering that the CUO is to be located in Koraput, in the most backward area, KBK, of India, Prof. Banerjee must do her best to make the right arguments at the earliest and get a medical and engineering college to this university, argued Professor Baral.
Page 522 of the document at http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/planrel/fiveyr/11th/11_v3/11th_vol3.pdf given below shows that only 5 of the new central universities will have medical and engineering colleges in the first phase, I.e., during the 11th plan.

March 25th, 2009
This status report is as off 12/31/2008 and is from here. The earlier status report is at http://www.orissalinks.com/archives/1197.
1. Krupajal Engineering College, Pubasasan, Kausalya Ganga, Bhubaneshwar – 2, Orissa.
De-novo
F. 9-17/2007-U.3 (A) dated 15th March, 2007 withdrawn. Fresh proposal received under De-Novo No. F.9-27/2008 dt. 15.4.08
View/NOC of the State government is awaited. UGC No. F. 35-1/2007 (CPP-I).
2. College of Engineering Bhubaneswar, Under Nabadigant Educational Trust, Plot No. 1, Sector – 3, Chandaka Nucleus Industrial
Complex, Patia, Bhubaneswar – 751 024, Orissa.
De-novo
F.9-30/2007-U.3 (A) dated 15th May, 2007
The Institute has been asked to comply with the deficiencies vide UGC Letter No. F. 35-3/2007 (CPP-I) dated 27th August, 2007
3 Asian School of Business Management Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
De-novo
F.9-45/2007-U.3 (A) dated 18th September, 2007
Views/NOC from State Government is awaited. UGC letter No. F. 35-5/2007 (CPP-I)
4. Vidya Bharti University, Gunupur Distt. Rayagarh, Orissa
F.9-60/2007- U.3(A) dated 28.11.2007
Views/NOC from State Government is awaited. F.35-6/2007 (CPP-I).
5. Koustav Institute of Self Domain Patia, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
De-novo
F. 9-68/2007- U.3(A) dated 9th January, 2008
Information has been called in checklist proforma vide UGC Letter F. 35-1/2008 (CPP-I) dt. 4.2.2008.
6. HI-TECH University Plot No. A-170, Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
F. 9-4/2008-U.3(A) dated 15th January, 2008
Information has been called in checklist proforma vide UGC Letter F. 35-2/2008 (CPP-I) dt. 6.2.2008.
7. C.V. Raman University Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
F. 9-67/2007-U.3(A) dated 9th January, 2008
The Institute has been asked to comply with the deficiencies vide F. 35-4/2008 (CPP-I) dt. 8.8.2008.
8. Orissa Institute of Technology P.O.-Burla, Distt-Sambalpur – 758018 Orissa
F. 9-41/2008-U.3(A) dated 9th July, 2008
Institute has been requested to submit the information in the prescribed proforma & checklist vide letter No.F.35-5/2008 (CPP-I) dated 29.7.2008
March 5th, 2009
(Update: The act is here.)
Following is an excerpt from a report in the Statesman.
The 50 year-old elite technical institute of the state was named Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) on the eve of the golden jubilee valedictory celebrations today.
It may be mentioned here that the change was effected through a gazette notification on 12 February.
Students, staff and general mass at large have been demanding unitary university status to this oldest technical institution of the state and that got materialised today in the presence of the chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik, Sambalpur MP Mr Prasanna Acharya, state industries minister Mr BB Harichandan, commerce and transport minister Mr Jayanarayan Mishra, secretary of the Alumni Association Mr Ashes Padhy, convener Prof. SK Sar and principal, Prof CR Tripathy.
… Dedicating VSSUT to the nation and unveiling the logo, the chief minister Mr Patnaik lauded in high words the commendable work of VSSUT, in spreading quality technical education in the country and producing technocrats of name and fame.
“The state is to witness a perceptible change soon due to investment of Rs 6 lakh crore in steel, aluminium, power and IT sectors. Globalisation and liberalisation has generated unprecedented demand for high quality technical people all over the world. VSSUT will take this challenge in catering the present demand,” Mr Patnaik said and appealed students and staff to be at par with international standards.
The CM also assured to fulfil all the demands of the students including allotment of 400 acres of land adjacent to it. “Young engineers will transform Orissa as the richest state of the country. At the same time, I hope, students here will uphold the great tradition and image of this institute,” Mr Patnaik said.
"There would be two more government engineering colleges at Bhawanipatna and Berhampur soon," he added.
… On this occasion, chief minister Mr Patnaik inaugurated a mammoth memorial gate erected by old students of VSSUT and at present working at Nalco in Angul. He also inaugurated a ladies hostel meant for the SC students of the university.
February 16th, 2009

December 26th, 2008
Following is from tathya.in.
Finally KBK region will have a Government sponsored engineering college.
And this will be established here in the district Headquarters of Kalahandi.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has given green signal to this effect.
The Industries department has moved the files so that the institution receives approval of AICTE.
The authorities are eying to enroll students in 2009-10 in four streams, once the AICTE approval is availed.
The Collector has been asked to locate 30 acres of land near Bhawanipatna.
At least 10 acres of land is required for an engineering college but keeping in future expansion, the State Government has asked the Collector Kalahandi to do the needful.
Chief Minister has asked the Finance department to provide Rs.4 crore from the Orissa Contingency Fund (OCF).
Recently the OCF has been allowed to enlarge its kitty to Rs.400 crore.
There are 63 engineering colleges in the state and 2 in KBK.
Most of the engineering colleges are in Khurda district, which houses 34.
There are no government engineering colleges in KBK and keeping this in view the Chief Minister has approved the Kalahandi Engineering College in this part of KBK, said an official.
This engineering college will be constituent college of Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT).
December 20th, 2008
Following from a report in Pioneer.
The Burla Engineering College has been accorded with a Unitary University status. A Bill to this effect on Wednesday got the nod of the State Assembly. After passing of the Bill, the university is now known as Vir Surendra Sai University of Technology.
As per the provision of the bill, a Management Committee, Academic Council of Studies, Finance Committee and other necessary committee, which is deemed to be necessary for the functioning of the university, would be set up.
One Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Controller of Finance, Controller of Examination, Students’ Welfare Dean would be appointed. However, the Vice-Chancellor would be appointed on the recommendation of the Chancellor.
December 18th, 2008
Dear Alumni,
Does not matter where you are, I exhort you to celebrate the INDEPENDENCE DAY of our Alma Mater UCE, Burla. As I am writing this mail, the Orissa University of Technology (OUT) Bill is being debated in the House of Assembly of Orissa. Cutting across party line, everybody is overwhelmingly supporting this. In a matter of hour from now, (1) UCE, Burla loses its identity to a new-born Orissa University of Technology (2) The new-born institute is a Unitary State University whose state funding shall continue while UGC / AICTE shall start coming in; a University where Principal gives way to a Vice Chancellor assisted by a Registrar, a Comptroller of Finance and a Dean of Students Welfare; a University which will have its own Governing Body (3) This University goes beyond the jurisdiction of BPUT Act, 2002.
This is precisely for the last reasons, I called today her Independence Day. As the East India Company had to wind up its baggages after ruling India for 200 years, BPUT loses its control over an independent Orissa University of Technology.
Believe me, and you must do so, everybody in the Secretariat says that they have never seen a bill coming up so fast and so furiously. Shower your thanks on the Hon’ble Chief Minister. Uncharacteristically, he has called for our file to his home to sign it. Because he followed the University Bill so keenly, rest of the state machinaries were on their toes. Place your thanks to Minister Jay Narayan Misra who fought for us since last four years and still advocating it inside the Assembly selflessly. Give your thanks to Industry Minister Sri Biswa Bhusan Harichandan who kept his words. Give your thanks to Hon’ble Speaker who accomodated our bill. Give your thanks to ex-Industry Secretary Mr Aditya Prasad Padhy and present Industry Secretary Mr Ashok Mahadev Dalwai, Deputy Secretary of Finance Mr Das who have followed our files heart-out. Give your thanks to Mr Panda (Deputy Secretary- Industry), Mr Gouda (Deputy Secretary- Steel & Mines), and dozens of Guardians who did extra-ordinary helps. Touch the feets of the Senior Citizens of Sambalpur who rushed to Bhubaneswar with me to meet Chief Minister to plead for IIT status to UCE. Give your thanks to Dr Chitta Baral who inculcated in our minds the idea of State University rather than a Deemed University. But, mere thanks is not enough, just bow down to the students – especially duo called Biswajit Parida & Sharda Nayak, who have been camping in Bhubaneswar sacrificing their examinations.
Future is in our hands. The formative years of the new University requires leadership from a visionary and dynamic Vice Chancellor. Nothing can be more crucial than having a good VC. University needs a VC who unshackles the age-old psyche of the faculties & other staffs, brings new ideas & visions to this University of twenty-first century, designs an action plan to place this University alongside the NITs & IITs, and is ruthless in implementing the action plan.
Yes, we "Did It". And yet, our task is far from finished. The Government Gazzette must come within a fortnight. We have to get the 350 acres of free land which Government has agreed to give. We have to ensure that University becomes 12 (B) elgible in shortest span of time which earns him "eligible for funding" tag. We have to build the e-Learning Centre and other infrastructures which we embarked upon a year back. We have to garner International collaboration, Students exchange program with foreign Universities, expand the University-Industry tie-ups. We must make our University "Orissa’s answer to NITs & IITs".
Well, we are meeting shortly. Possibly on February 8 (Sunday) 2009 when we will lay the FOUNDATION DAY of the new-born University and bid GOLDEN JUBILEE VALEDICTION to 50-year old alma mater UCE, Burla. I promise, that will a day worth remembering.
As I am finishing the mail on an excited note, Minister Mr Biswa Bhusan, Opposition Leader Mr Narsimha Mishra, Mr Satya Bhusan Mishra, Mr Bimbadra Kuanra, Mr Ranendra Pratap Swain have already finished their talks. The mood is extremely upbeat inside Assembly. Discussions have continued for an hour now. I shall give detailed update tomorrow.
And, I am already flying. My feets are surely above ground. I have to buy a good drink. You will agree, I deserved one.
A proud UCEian,
Ashesh Padhy
December 17th, 2008
It is through the Orissa Cabinet. See http://www.tathya.in/2008/story.asp?sno=2413 and http://www.tathya.in/2008/story.asp?sno=2411. Many thanks to the industries department and especially the unsung SM, who I think did the bulk of the work in the government in such a speedy manner.
Following is a report on the subject.
Continue Reading December 9th, 2008
Besides IITs and NITs some centrally funded engineering colleges are being established by the central govt. in various states. This includes the Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology in Punjab and Central Institute of Technology, Kokrajhar, Assam.
Following is a PIB report on a similar institute being established in Malda, West Bengal.
The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for establishment of Ghani Khan Choudhary Institute of Engineering & Technology, as a Centrally funded institution in Malda, West Bengal on the modular pattern of teaching as adopted by Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (SLIET), Longowal, Punjab. The Institution will offer courses in Engineering and Technology to cater to the various manpower requirements of the region, with special emphasis on courses relevant to the local population such as in food technology & sericulture.
Initially, the Institution would start with Certificate level courses leading to Diploma, Degree and Post-graduate levels later.
The total project outlay of the Institute will be around Rs. 97 crores.
Orissa should ask for a similar engineering college to cater to the backward KBK+ districts and located in Kalahandi.
Koraput will have the central university; Branch of IGNTU is being pursued in Kandhamala. So an engineering college like SLIET should be located in Kalahandi. The institute can be called KBK institute of Engineering and Technology (KBKIET).
November 20th, 2008
Following is an except from a report in expressbuzz.com.
As per AICTE’s decision, all degree and diploma technical institutes, which have completed four years, can double their students intake without having to augment the existing infrastructure.
In plain words, they can run a second shift because they have facility which are otherwise underutilised.
Going by the current scenario in Orissa, there are approximately 57 private engineering colleges with an approved intake of 22,000 seats in engineering disciplines, 3,000 in MCA classes and another 3,000 for MBA programmes. Then there are diploma institutes.
Of the 57 colleges, about 30 have completed four years and more which means they will be entitled to run the second shift. A conservative estimate would put the number of seats in second shift at 15,000.
The decision has come as a pleasant surprise for the engineering colleges which stand to gain the most.
For the students, it could be mean more opportunities to get an engineering degree.
‘More seats will mean more students can enrol in engineering courses and it is a good news for all those willing to pursue technical education,’ Orissa Private Engineering Colleges Association chairman Binod Dash said.
The existing facilities remain idle in many technical institutes in the State and the second shift would be able to utilise the same.
Addition of 15,000 students would not be a burden for the colleges, Dash said. Moreover, the teaching faculty would stand to gain, he added.
However, addition of 15,000 seats would also mean more work for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Committee which holds the test.
The million dollar question is will the addition benefit technical education? ‘Such a decision has taken me by surprise. It only makes business sense to me,’ said a member of the JEE Committee.
Given the AICTE assumption that existing facilities can be used for second shift means teaching faculty members would have to put in double the work if private institutes choose not to augment their number.
‘If facilities are remaining idle in the technical institutes, we had suggested in the past that the same can be used to train ITI and polytechnic students,’ said the official.
Besides, one of the most important issues will be employability of students who pass out every year.
‘Not many parent would send their wards to general colleges anymore but it remains to be seen how many would get jobs at the end,’ head of an institute said.
The AICTE decision will affect new colleges since more seats will now be available in old and established institutes which may prompt the former to cut down on their fees, another insider said.
November 13th, 2008
The tender will be opened in October 2008 and the work is required to be completed in 15 months. Following are some layout diagrams.




October 9th, 2008
In recent months the Orissa government has issued tenders for two state funded and one PPP based institute:
- IIIT Bhubaneswar: The tender is for construction of administrative and academic building, hostel and external services to be completed in 9 months and at an estimated value of work of Rs 15 crores.
- Parala Maharaj Engineering College in Berhampur: The tender is for construction of the College Building at Berhampur (Sitalapalli), Ground Floor and First Floor, to be completed in 15 months, and at an estimated value of work of Rs 7 crores.
- Construction Academy in Gopalpur, Cuttack: The tender is for construction of Administrative Block (Stilt, Ground & First Floor), to be completed in 18 months, and at an estimated value of work of Rs 5.6 crores.
The tender documents are currently available via http://tendersorissa.gov.in/.
October 9th, 2008
Previous Posts