Berhampur Municipal Corporation libraries buried in heaps of neglect

By: Sisir Panigrahy

Books covered by layers of dust and in disarray, the rich variety at four libraries maintained by Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) often go unnoticed by visitors. Several books are in dire need of restoration, new ones are unavailable and there isn’t enough staff. Since many of the books are early editions, conservation techniques need to be updated, said sources. The air conditioners, TVs and computers at these libraries are non-functional. The generators hardly have any fuel to run. Computerized bibliographies in these libraries are a dream for the readers.

One of the BMC libraries, located near the Berhampur Press Club, is frequented by readers. However, this one is dogged by problems of poor maintenance - just as most other public libraries are in the city. The library has two halls which are insufficient to accommodate the growing number of readers. On an average, over 200 people visit the library daily.

Although BMC supplies 12 newspapers and over 20 periodicals every month, no new titles have been purchased yet. The library manages with its 7,000 old books that have been there since its inception.

The BMC also owns a research library established in the name of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati. Books and encyclopedias worth Rs.2 lakh were brought to the library when it was opened in 1993.

Since then no new books have been added to the collection. Because of its poor upkeep, the research library’s popularity is on the wane.

Intelligentsia said although BMC collects tax from people, no concrete measures are being taken for maintenance and development of the libraries. They have demanded the State Government’s intervention to establish a well-furnished library in the city. Source: IBN Live

Berhampur University in admission mode

By Sunil Patnaik (The Telegraph)

The process for admission into various post-graduate courses at Berhampur University is now in its final stages. “The students have been asked to submit their original documents, including mark sheets and certificates, by July 1, so that we can finalise the process by July 2,” Ganapati Chowdhury, administrative officer of Berhampur University, said. Classes for the post-graduation departments are scheduled to commence from July 4. The forms were made available on the official website of Berhampur University (http://www.bamu.nic.in/). The last date for receiving of application form was June 8 and the response had been good, Chowdhury said. “We would also take out a second list in case seats fall vacant. We would send intimation letters on the basis of merit to the students, who have had applied earlier on July 4, and ask them to furnish their documents in original by July 14. The list can then be prepared by July 15,” he said.

Berhampur University offers various post-graduate courses in Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, Electronic Science, Marine Sciences such as, Oceanography, Marine Biology (all MSc degrees), Home Science (only for women candidates), Mathematics (both MA/MSc), Economics, English, History, Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, Linguistics, Mass Communication, Oriya, Political Science (all MA degrees). The other subjects are Masters of Business Administration, M.Com, Law and Computer Application. It also offers diploma courses in Tourism and Indian monuments and Russian language.

Berhampur University ties-up with US university

BERHAMPUR: In a major leap, Berhampur University, one of the major universities of Orissa, has tied up with Riverside University of California for collaboration in research and faculty development. The agreement has been signed for five years initially, and can be extended later. Berhampur University’s Vice-Chancellor B.K. Sahu said the agreement will allow students and faculty members from both institutions to go to the other for study and research. The MBA department will avail of the benefit initially, he added. Both the universities will hold joint academic events such as seminars and later it will be expanded to collaborative academic research and exchange of scientific information. Riverside University Vice-Chancellor Raj Singh called the agreement a “win-win” situation for both universities. “It will also help the business students from the USA as more number of companies are setting shop here. Initially we will start with exchange program which will be expanded later,” he said, adding the university was also looking for tie-ups with other Indian universities like Allahabad Agricultural University.

Source: Odishatoday

Unitary University status for historic Khallikote College

RP Tripathy
In the educationally backward region of South Orissa, Khallikote College has been a great hope with its exceptional track record of over a century and half. The institution began as a high school in 1856 before becoming a full-fledged college in the year 1878. The Institution with its glorious past of more than 150 years has been one of the leading centers of learning and intellectual pursuits in Orissa. The Institution has the reputation of producing a former President of India and a host of Governors, Ministers, scientists, educationists and freedom fighters among a long list of illustrious persons since its establishment in pre-independent India.

Over the last few years owing to paucity of teaching and administrative staff, inadequate state support and overall deterioration of higher education infrastructure the Institution has failed to live up to its reputation. In the mean time the State Government has granted Unitary University Status to its contemporary Ravenshaw College at Cuttack and University College of Engineering at Burla bowing before popular demands. But, it has remained silent on granting Unitary University Status to Khallikote College after assuring for the same last year.

The Knowledge Commission in its various reports has suggested that historic institutions with exceptional track records should be granted University status to expand the scope of higher education. This is high time that the State Government took the suggestions of Knowledge Commission and popular demands of the region seriously by granting University status to Khallikote College to restore the lost glory and academic standards of the historic Institution. In the interest of the State and for ensuring balanced regional development the State Government must exhibit the same level of seriousness and urgency as was done in the case of Ravenshaw College and University College of Engineering, Burla, by making Khallikote College a Unitary University with a new campus at the earliest.

Berhampur Higher Education Roadmap

Update on IIIT Berhampur
Following is an excerpt from a report in the New Indian Express:
“While the IIIT Bhubaneswar is being promoted by the State Government as a flagship institute to promote quality technical education, work has started on establishing a second IIIT at Berhampur. The Government has allotted 100 acres for the proposed institute at Rangeilunda”.

Berhampur Higher & Technical Education Roadmap- 2010
RP Tripathy

If the above report is to be believed, the IIIT will definitely help strengthen the Higher and Technical education infrastructure of Berhampur. Through concerted and determined efforts the city can well become a destination for higher and technical education by 2010 with 10 Private Engineering Colleges, 1 Government Engineering College, 1 Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), 1 Government Medical College, 1 Private Medical College (NRI), 1 General University, 1 Unitary University (Khallikote College), 1 Army Air Defence College (could be converted into a full fledged Defence University). Besides this, demands could be made for a full fledged Orissa Health University (Rourkela and Sambalpur have Engineering University and Cuttack has Law University), branch of the National Maritime University and for a second campus of OUAT by upgrading the Fisheries College in Berhampur. The existing JN Tata Technical education center could become a proper Engineering College if the State Govt pushes for this. But, even with all this Berhampur or South Orissa don’t have a good Management Institution. Time to aim for an IIM.

Sources: Newindpress, Orissalinks

Berhampur shines as Sanket Dash tops Orissa Matric results

BERHAMPUR: Sanket Dash of Ramahari Nagar Saraswati Sishu Vidyamandir of Berhampur made his school and City proud by becoming topper in the secondary school board examinations conducted by the Orissa Board of Secondary Examinations (BSE). Swetaswini Nayak of the same school was placed in the 14th position in the list of top 20 students in the examination. The BSE declared its results on Tuesday. It may be noted that the students of the school also had 100 per cent result in the BSE examination. All of the 134 students who had appeared for the secondary school board examination passed. One hundred and twelve of them passed in first division. Last year three students of this school were in the toppers list. “I want to be a scientist and peruse research work in this field,” a proud Sanket said. Similarly, not to be left behind, City Girl Anmol Maharana secured 8th Rank in the State. Last year five students of Berhampur were in the toppers list and Bimal Prasad Panda of the city had topped the examination.
Source: The Hindu, Odishatoday