The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), an institution that has made the State proud by producing many agro scientists and with innovations, is now alarmingly witnessing defaming controversies, be it suicide of a student or a homosexuality complaint against professors. What is more shocking is that these incidents – two criminal happenings and five agitations – have occurred in a span of only six months’ time.
A suspected death of a fifth year girl student of its Agronomy Department made lots of hues and cries among students and professionals recently. Though the student was found committing suicide in the primary police investigation, yet nobody could buy the report. The State Government has ordered for Crime Branch investigation into the disputed matter.
Similarly, a shameful matter came to the fore a month back when some students of its Basic Science College brought homosexual charges against a professor, and consequently, the professor was put under suspension for beating up the complainant students. “The OUAT is in its 53 years of age. It has glorified the State by its rare crop innovations in this short period of time. The institution facing such heinous situations is really shocking. Any damage to its reputation is unbearable,” said a senior citizen of the city.
Besides, these two criminal offences, more than a hundred Professors under the banner of the OUAT Teachers’ Association recently came down heavily on the university authorities for continued negligence to them. They staged a protest rally and submitted a memorandum to the Governor for fulfillment of their demands. As many as five agitations have already been staged by the OUAT Technological Employees’ Association, demanding hike in pay scale. The association has also threatened to intensify their protests if their demands are not met soon.
Moreover, what has pained all concerned is that OUAT Vice-Chancellor Manoranjan Kar is yet to open his mouth in these issues for which he, being the administrative head of the institute, is primarily accountable. “It is not a new thing that teachers of a university take to the street to press for fulfillment of their demands. But, frequent occurrences of such incidences create a negative atmosphere. This is neither good for the university nor for the students. A sense of responsibility should be there in all concerned,” said intellectuals. According to them, the Vice-Chancellor of the varsity should come out before the media and express his mind with valid suggestions to the Government so that the negative perceptions can be wiped out.