State varsities asked to introduce five year integrated and job oriented courses

Following report is from The Pioneer:

Like technical institutions, general universities in Odisha need to pursue a special programme and prepare a vision document for next five years keeping an eye on the requirements of students. A direction in this regard has been given by Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Higher Education Chandra Sekhar Kumar to the Vice Chancellors of the State’s six general universities.

The VCs of Utkal, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Ravenshaw, Fakir Mohan and North Odisha universities have been categorically told to ensure enhancement of the education standard in their respective institutions besides special action plan to attract foreign students to the State.

Apart from regular teachings, the State’s universities need to introduce five year integrated courses like Astronomy, Astrophysics, Earth System Science, Archaeology, International Law and Disaster Management. Introduction of new and job oriented courses like Risk Management, Banking & Finance, Insurance and IT in colleges and universities were suggested. Foreign students and students having outlook would certainly prefer to pursue courses in such subjects, the VCs were told. The new courses would open up channels of education in the State, the Higher Education Secretary told the VCs. While the strength of English speaking students in the State in general is poor, this is needed to be improved by making provisions for imparting communicative English and soft skills. Similarly, courses on Computer Applications and Entrepreneurship are much needed.

Revision and modernisation of syllabi was also suggested during a daylong consultation with VCs recently. Enhancement of competencies of faculties, greater use of ICT and networking of universities in general and foreign universities in particular was discussed at length.