Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has disclosed that a staggering 963 guest faculties are currently employed across 17 universities in the state, with Rajendra University having the highest number of guest faculties at 113.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj revealed it in the State Assembly in response to a written question by BJD MLA Arabinda Mohapatra.
According to the minister, the total sanctioned strength for teaching staff across all 17 universities stands at 2,692, but only 782 positions are currently filled, leaving a whopping 1,910 posts vacant. The worst-affected universities are Sambalpur University with 235 vacant posts, Berhampur University with 233 vacancies and Ravenshaw University with 135 vacant positions.
In a bid to address this shortage, the state government has proposed an amendment to the Odisha University Act, which has been tabled in the Assembly after receiving cabinet approval. Minister Suryabanshi Suraj assured that once the act is passed, the government will fill all vacant positions in the universities.
