Bhubaneswar: In an another effort to upgrade one of Odisha’s most historic educational institutions, Cuttack Mayor Subhash Chandra Singh has written a letter to the Governor of Odisha, requesting immediate intervention to grant full-fledged university status to Sailabala Women’s Autonomous College (SB Women’s College).
The Mayor, who previously extended full support to the protesting students by writing to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, highlighted the lack of progress despite administrative discussions held last week. No concrete solution emerged from those talks, prompting this second appeal to the state’s constitutional head.
In his letter, Mayor Singh emphasized the institution’s remarkable legacy and contributions to women’s higher education in Odisha. Established in 1913, Sailabala Women’s College is the oldest women’s college in Cuttack and the state, having completed 113 years of dedicated service. The college earned an “A” grade accreditation from the UGC’s NAAC team in both 2006 and 2017, reflecting its consistent excellence in academics and infrastructure.
The demand for university status stems from the college’s long-standing fulfillment of eligibility criteria, including its autonomous status since 2017, strong enrollment, and historical significance tied to Odisha’s freedom struggle and women’s empowerment.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj has stated that the government is considering the demand and plans to establish universities in every district in a phased manner under the National Education Policy 2020, assuring that the issue has not been ignored.
