Varsity status likely for Khallikote College: Higher Education Minister

The government plans to accord University status to three premier colleges of the state, including Khallikote Autonomous College, Berhampur, Rama Devi Women's College, Bhubaneswar and Gangadhar Meher College, Sambalpur. "We have proposed to make three colleges deemed universities. Before taking the final decision, the higher education department will review the infrastructure facilities available in these colleges," higher education minister Badri Naryan Patra said here . But he did not spell out the specific period for upgradation of these colleges. "It may be this year or next year," he said during the Foundation Day celebration of Berhampur University here.

He said people and students of Berhampur have demanded that the 135-year-old Khallikote autonomous college be converted into a deemed university. But it has only one-third teaching staff of the sanctioned strength. "Khallikote College is not only one. There is a shortage of teaching staff in several other government colleges. We will fill up some posts soon," he said. The minister also said that his department would move to finance department to accord concurrence to open some new departments in Berhampur University. The university has not opened new departments despite UGC sanction for lack of government concurrence. As a result, the university lost UGC funds sanctioned for it.

Source: Times of India