Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024 came into effect in the state following the assent of Odisha Governor Haribabu Kambhampati.
The bill was passed on April 2 after extensive deliberation in the Odisha assembly. After the governor’s approval on Saturday, the Bill became an Act and is now in force throughout the state.
This development has been described as a “new dawn” for higher education in the state. It was emphasized that the Act will bring transformative changes aimed at strengthening the education system, addressing longstanding challenges, and enhancing academic excellence.
“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 this development as a new dawn for higher education in the state.
According to the amended Act, the recruitment of faculty members in the 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 of faculty recruitment. For the selection of a vice-chancellor of a state public university, a three-member committee will be constituted. Only distinguished educationists from the field of higher education will be part of this committee. The age limit for vice-chancellors has been increased from 67 to 70 years.
In the amended Act, the Senate is being reintroduced into the administrative framework of universities. It is the highest advisory body of a university, comprising educationists, faculty, students, administrative staff, etc., and it plays a vital role in the development of the university and the higher education sector. Each university will have a Senate that will meet at least twice a year. The Senate will consist of 68 members, of which a minimum of 37 members will be from among teachers, educationists, and student representatives, ensuring balanced and inclusive representation. The Senate system was not present in the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
A finance committee will be constituted to strengthen financial management in universities. Similarly, building and construction committees will be formed in the universities for reviewing and monitoring infrastructure development projects. All funds received or acquired by the universities will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, and detailed financial reports will be presented before the Odisha Legislative Assembly, according to the amended Act.
“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.