Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan wrote to the Union Minister of Education last month demanding Central University status to the Utkal University, which is the first university of Odisha and an educational heritage of the State.
Founded in the year 1943, the varsity represents the leadership and vision of the great sons of this soil like Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, Pandit Nilakantha Dash, Pandit Godavarish Mishra who dreamt of having an institution for higher education before Independence.
Certainly, the university has been set up and maintained by funds from the State exchequer. The institution having produced many great personalities in the field of science, politics, arts, culture, journalism, law and social domain, truly symbolizes the pride and glory of Odisha. Hence it is a pertinent question, what is the need of demanding Central status to Utkal University?
Based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) university rankings by MHRD, Government of India, the Utkal University ranks 96 among 100 universities, which is worrisome.
Why can’t the first and foremost university of Odisha be in the list of leading universities of India? The standings of other State universities of Odisha are even more pathetic and exposes the apathy towards higher education by the State Government. Hence, intellectuals may argue that a Central status to the institution shall help in huge inflow of funds, infrastructure and thus improve its standard and competitiveness at the national level.
However, it is also a fact that several State universities in the country, run by respective State Governments, perform exceptionally well and at par with IITS, NITS and other institutes of national importance.
To list a few, in our neighbouring State of West Bengal, the Jadavpur University and y the Calcutta University are two State universities which rank among the top 10 universities in India. Moreover, as per NIRF-2020, State universities like Andhra University, Mysore University, University of Madras, Bharthiar University, Kerala University and Osmania University, list among the best 30 universities of the nation.
Moreover, the idea that a Central university can perform better than State university is equally erroneous, looking into the facts and figures. Several Central universities in the country do not even make it to the list of best 100 universities of India. One of our neighbouring states Bihar possess three Central universities, none of which has got a national reputation.
Lack of required number of faculty members in various departments, less number of sponsored research projects, poor research or laboratory infrastructure, sluggish rate of journal publications etc. are some of the major factors responsible for the varsities under the State rule sliding downhill.
At the same time, the independent functioning of a university without any political or bureaucratic influence is equally paramount.
The Odisha Government recently passed the Odisha University Amendment Bill-2020 amid criticisms from various circles including senior-most academicians and scholars of the State.
The ruling party claimed that the amendments will upgrade functioning of our universities and ensure quality education. Hence, the Government of Odisha must seriously think about an action plan to address the problems and requirements of the varsities and thus improve their academic status, rather than handing over the responsibility to the Centre. The legacy of a giant isn't enhanced by giving it away to higher masters. It is bejewelled by polishing its existing gems.
It is the moral obligation of the Odisha Government to maintain the Utkal University solely, leaving no stones unturned to transform it to an institution of excellence at the national and international level, which every odia can be proud of.
(The writer is a Senior Research Fellow, CSIR, India, Email: avisheksatapathy@gmail.com)