Times of India, Jan 12, 2010
SAMBALPUR: Students of western Orissa on Tuesday reiterated their demand for Central university status to Sambalpur University. They were taking part in a convention held on the university campus, where members of the university students' union threatened of a massive agitation in western Orissa in support of their demand.
Nearly 500 student leaders and representatives of various colleges of the region took part in the convention and criticized the state government for its "apathy" towards improving the infrastructure and education facilities in the region.
The students' convention, organized under the leadership of the university students' union, has formed a 11-member action committee to decide the future course of action of the proposed agitation.
"We have decided to start a massive agitation in western Orissa. We have long been asking for Central University Status to Sambalpur University. Although the state government had agreed on principle to confer the same to this University and recommended the Centre in this regard, nothing happened. We have nothing but the state government's lack of initiative to blame for it," president of the union Padmanav Mishra said.
"We see no other option but to agitate, with hopes that the government takes notice," Mishra added while addressing the students.
Sambalpur University has a total of 180 colleges under it. Established in 1964, it is the only university in the state that covers the largest area of 11 districts in the region.
The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government wrote to the Centre, supporting the justifications behind the demand. Again in 2008k, the demand was raised by the students and teachers again, following the Centre's declaration to establish a central university in Orissa. But that was set up in Koraput.
Koraput varsity students boycott classes
Times of India, Jan 12, 2010
KORAPUT: Tension gripped the Central University of Orissa (CUO) in Koraput on Tuesday after students boycotted classes and staged a strike for an indefinite period demanding quality education. The agitating students alleged that the academic activities have taken a beating at the varsity for lack of regular qualified faculty and academic facility.
"All five departments are running with inadequate regular qualified staff. Local staff are taking classes. As the staff are inefficient, we are facing problems," alleged Biswa Bhusan Mohapatra, a student. "Many times we have placed our demands before the authorities concerned but to no avail. This time we won't call off our agitation till our demands are fulfilled," he said.
The students had also submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor listing their demands. A well-equipped library, computer laboratory, study tours, renovation of hostels, appointment of registrar and stipend to students are few of the demands listed in the memorandum, among others. The students have also expressed their displeasure over publication of their first semester result in a private website and not in the official website of the university.
"Though the university has a website, it is never updated. Recently, our results were declared on a private website. The vice-chancellor never stays at Koraput, as a result there are massive administrative irregularities. We want the vice-chancellor to stay here," the students said.
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