The Central University of Odisha (CUO) Koraput signed an MoU along with 30 other Central Universities for establishment of Dr Ambedkar Centre for Excellence (DACE) in a function at the Benaras Hindu University (BHU) on April 22.
The programme was launched by Union Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar. Vice-Chancellor Prof Sharat Kumar Palita signed the MoU for the CUO.
The Dr Ambedkar Centre for Excellence (DACE) aims to provide free UPSC exam coaching for Scheduled Caste (SC) students. For this purpose, the Dr Ambedkar Foundation will give ₹75 lakh to Central Universities every year to make sure that the centres work efficiently and smoothly.
Each centre will have 100 seats; and the concerned candidates are expected to pass an entrance test. Out of the total admissions, 33% of the sanctioned seats will be given to SC students and eligible female students. The Government aims to achieve the social justice goal by providing inclusive opportunities.
Both Odisha and the district of Koraput havr quite a sizeable percentage of SC population, i.e., 17.13% and 14.25%, respectively as per the 2011 Census. Prof Palita expressed his happiness that this move is certainly going to boost the morale of the SC students getting admitted to the Central University of Odisha.