The Utkal University of Culture is all set to open its new campus at Madanpur. The new facility would be inaugurated on Monday by Governor and Chancellor of Universities Dr SC Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
The new campus, built in a 1.11-lakh-sqft area of the total 45 acre of land allocated by the Idco, houses an administrative block, two separate hostels for boys and girls. Construction of the campus had begun in 2008.
The State Government had sanctioned Rs40 crore for the project, of which Rs27 crore has been spent. The rest fund would be used in other developmental activities, including creation of a rainwater conservation facility, said university Vice-Chancellor Prof Debendranath Jena at a Press meet here on Saturday.
The institution that provides courses on various disciplines like performing art, visual art, culture studies, language, etc., currently runs at the Sardar Patel Hall Complex at Unit-II here. After the shifting, the old campus would be served as the city centre of the university, Prof Jena informed.
“Established 16 years ago, the university has been playing a major role in promoting and propagating the rich arts and culture of the State. However, due to absence of its own land, the university has not so far made many desirable developments,” said the Vice-Chancellor.
large numbers of students from outside the State, the country and abroad have evinced interest in getting enrolled in the university for Odishi dance and painting. In view of the increasing demand, the number of seats for the two disciplines would be increased at the new campus.
“As the Odia has been given the Classical language status, we will give special focus on historical research on the language,” he said, adding that the campus would start classes from the next academic session. University Registrar Dr Suman Das was also present at the Press meet.