Bhubaneswar: Under Graduate (UG) enrolment in Odisha has increased by 14,758 students in the current academic year following the implementation of the state government’s Gyanodaya – Free Education from KG to PG scheme, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said on Thursday.
The total number of students admitted to regular undergraduate courses rose from 1,64,179 in the previous academic year to 1,78,937 this year, the Minister said while reviewing the functioning of the Higher Education Department at a meeting here.
The impact of the scheme has been particularly significant in aspirational districts, which have recorded the highest admission percentages. Kalahandi topped the list with 99.09%, followed by Koraput (98.82%), Balangir (95.57%), Malkangiri (95.37%) and Nuapada (94.64%).
The meeting also reviewed the filling up of vacant teaching and non-teaching posts in universities and colleges, recruitment examinations conducted by the State Selection Board (SSB), and the progress of projects under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA).
To strengthen the administration of government degree colleges, 48 new Principal posts have been created, taking the total number of such posts from 18 to 66 across the state’s 66 government degree colleges.
The recruitment process is underway to fill 385 vacant Assistant Professor (Stage-I) posts in various subjects in these colleges.
Similarly, universities are undertaking recruitment to fill 1,434 vacant teaching positions, including Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Professors, across 17 state universities.
Following a rationalisation exercise, 262 additional non-teaching and administrative posts have also been created across the 17 universities to improve their functioning. These include 69 Junior Assistants, 37 Senior Assistants, 49 Assistant Librarians, 30 Librarians, 17 Section Officers and other posts in administrative, examination, accounts and library cadres.
The State Selection Board has conducted recruitment examinations and declared results for more than 2,800 vacancies across various cadres over the past two years. It has issued notifications this year for recruitment to another 1,557 posts.
Expressing satisfaction over the rise in higher education enrolment, particularly in aspirational districts, Suraj said the Gyanodaya scheme was making higher education more accessible and helping strengthen an inclusive education system in the state.
The government is committed to improving higher educational institutions and ensuring quality education for all, he said, adding that the newly created posts would be filled soon.
The Minister directed departmental officials to ensure effective implementation of various schemes and complete ongoing projects within the stipulated timelines.
Higher Education Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aravind Agrawal, Director Kali Prasanna Mahapatra and other senior officials attended the meeting.
