Amended univ Act comes into force after guv’s assent
Bhubaneswar: Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024 came into effect in the state following assent from governor Hari Babu Kambhampati. The bill was passed on April 2 after extensive deliberation in the assembly. After the governor’s approval on Saturday, the bill became an Act.
“The Act is designed to address long-standing challenges in the state’s higher education domain. It aims to bring about substantial reforms, ensuring autonomy for universities and enhancing the efficiency of academic functions,” said higher education minister Suryabanshi Suraj, describing the development as a new dawn.
“The amended Act will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in strengthening the higher education system in the state while fostering university autonomy and improving the academic environment,” said Suraj.
According to the amended Act, recruitment of faculty members in state public universities will no longer be conducted through the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). Instead, universities will form a committee comprising educationists for the purpose. For the selection of a vice-chancellor, a three-member committee will be constituted. Only distinguished educationists will be a part of the committee. The age limit for VCs has been increased from 67 to 70 years.
In the amended Act, the senate is being reintroduced into the administrative framework of universities. Each university will have a senate that will meet at least twice a year. A senate will consist of 68 members, of whom a minimum of 37 will be from among teachers, educationists and student representatives.
A finance committee will be constituted to strengthen financial management in universities. Similarly, building and construction committees will be formed for reviewing and monitoring infrastructure development projects. All funds received or acquired by the universities will be audited by the CAG, and detailed financial reports will be presented before the state assembly, according to the Act.
“The Act is designed to address long-standing challenges in the state’s higher education domain. It aims to bring about substantial reforms, ensuring autonomy for universities and enhancing the efficiency of academic functions,” said higher education minister Suryabanshi Suraj, describing the development as a new dawn.
“The amended Act will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in strengthening the higher education system in the state while fostering university autonomy and improving the academic environment,” said Suraj.
According to the amended Act, recruitment of faculty members in state public universities will no longer be conducted through the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). Instead, universities will form a committee comprising educationists for the purpose. For the selection of a vice-chancellor, a three-member committee will be constituted. Only distinguished educationists will be a part of the committee. The age limit for VCs has been increased from 67 to 70 years.
In the amended Act, the senate is being reintroduced into the administrative framework of universities. Each university will have a senate that will meet at least twice a year. A senate will consist of 68 members, of whom a minimum of 37 will be from among teachers, educationists and student representatives.
A finance committee will be constituted to strengthen financial management in universities. Similarly, building and construction committees will be formed for reviewing and monitoring infrastructure development projects. All funds received or acquired by the universities will be audited by the CAG, and detailed financial reports will be presented before the state assembly, according to the Act.
