PG course on radiation biology introduced in Berhampur University, Bhanja Vihar

Berhampur University has decided to introduce a post graduate diploma course on radiation biology and applications from this academic year. The one-year self-financed course is the first of its kind in the state.

The course will have two semesters and will be equivalent to M Phil. The candidates, after completing the course, can apply for PhD. Students having MSc in life science, biotechnology, chemistry, physics or pharmacy are eligible for admission through an entrance test, sources said.

The course would help tide over the dearth of radiation safety officers (RSOs), assigned with operation and maintenance of radiation safety in different projects under the department of atomic energy.

"The university has the required infrastructure like the Gamma House with cobalt machine on the Botanical Garden premises. The special chamber is being monitored by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Mumbai," said vice-chancellor of the university J K Mohapatra.

"Scientists from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, will also take part in the teaching programme at the university," the VC added.

Berhampur University had signed a memorandum of understanding with the BARC in 2010 to carry out collaborative research on ionizing radiation. Source: ToI 

Fresh syllabus at Berhampur varsity in new session

The Berhampur University has decided to revamp syllabuses in all post-graduate courses.  The new courses of studies will be introduced from the coming academic session. The revised courses of studies will be made keeping an eye on the change of curriculum in the National Eligibility Test (NET), conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and jointly by the UGC and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) (for science and engineering subjects). Subjects, existing in honours curricula in graduation classes, would not be repeated in the new syllabuses, said vice chancellor J K Mohapatra. "We have already directed the Board of Studies (BoS) of all the departments to prepare their new courses of studies accordingly," he said. The exercise started on January 28 and is scheduled to be completed on February 8," said a senior faculty member. The revised courses of studies would be placed before the academic council of the university for approval before introduction from the next academic session, the vice chancellor said. Besides senior faculty members of respective departments, at least two faculty members from other universities and professionals in the BoS are preparing the new courses of studies. The members of the BoS also study existing syllabuses of other universities and incorporate the local needs while preparing the new courses of studies, sources said.

The need to revise the syllabi was felt by the university authorities after the new NET syllabus came into effect in 2011. The university has also started coaching classes for NET aspirants with the revised pattern of the questions. "With these steps, we hope more and more number of students will get opportunities to clear the NET and be eligible to get junior research fellowship (JRF) and lectureship in different universities," the VC added.

Source: Times of India

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