With a National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) team seemingly satisfied during its visit to the Utkal University here, the university authorities are hopeful of receiving better grades this time from the NAAC, which is set up by the University Grants Commission (UGC)..
The team led by NAAC Chairperson Professor C Thangamuthu, which made a detailed inspection of the infrastructure, facilities, teaching system and research initiatives, is reportedly happy over the steps taken by the university authorities.
The university’s performance relating to various spheres of activity such as educational processes and outcomes, covering the curriculum, teaching-learning, evaluation, faculty, research, infrastructure, learning resources, organisation, governance, financial wellbeing and student services were inspected.
University Vice-Chancellor Ashok Kumar Dash and Professors showed the NAAC Team the university campus, library, hostels and all the centres of education. The team also held discussions with students, interacted with the faculties and talked to parents and others regarding the facilities, education and various activities.
The team too held discussion with State Higher Education Principal Secretary GVV Sarma and inquired about filling up of several posts of faculties. While the process of filling up of the posts of faculties is on, the NAAC team urged the authorities to speed up the process, said university sources. Sarma briefed the team about the initiative taken by the State Government in improving the standard of higher education in the State in general and the seven State-run universities in particular.
The State-run Universities including Brahmapur, Khallikote, Sambalpur, Gangadhar Meher, Rama Devi and National law Universities are benefitted with A Grade by the NAAC team.
The Vira Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) has received B+ along with the Fakir Mohan University and the Shree Jagannath Sanskrit University.
NAAC accreditation is accepted as a top recognition for the universities and colleges in the country.
Private State Universities like Centurion, KIIT and SOA have also bagged A Grade from the team earlier.
Besides, several colleges have also received NAAC accreditation, and this recognition helps these institutions receive grants from the UGC.
Now as the NAAC inspection is completed, the Utkal University authorities are anxiously waiting for receiving its recognition.