A group of alumni of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) has strongly protested the university authorities’ move to change the name of their alma mater after Biju Patnaik.
“OUAT is the second oldest agricultural university in India. Since its inception in 1962, the university has been recognised nationally and internationally for its research and education.
The university has received the best agricultural university award from the Prime Minister for its academic excellence this year. Why the authorities are in a hurry to change the name of the university that has earned worldwide reputation under its brand nameIJ” asked Save OUAT Forum on Tuesday.
Convenor of the forum Sanjay Das said if the OUAT administration is keen to enhance the popularity of the university, it must focus on quality research and education instead of indulging in dirty politics.
“Nobody is questioning the calibre of Biju Patnaik. He was not only a great son of Odisha, but his contribution has been recognised world over. In memory of the luminary, a large number of development programmes are already running in the State, the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) being the bright example. When one institute is bearing the name of our State Odisha, what is the necessity of changing its nameIJ It seems some people with a vested interest are trying to appease the Government for their personal gains,” Das said.
Stating that the entire alumni, staff and students of the OUAT are against this unilateral decision of the university authorities, Das said some of the alumni members have taken up the matter with the university Vice-Chancellor and submitted a memorandum.
He warned that the forum would take to the streets if the OUAT administration sticks to its decision of changing the name of the university. Other forum members Rajiv Giri, Susant Nayak, lokanath Maharathy, Brajesh Panda, Priyaranjan Behera and Vivekanand Mallick also shared Das’ views.