Latest news with #HigherEducationdepartment
New Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha mandates installation of CCTV on college, varsity campuses to check crimes
BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to check incidents of sexual harassment, ragging and other crimes on campuses, the state government has decided to bring all higher educational institutions under the Higher Education department under the CCTV surveillance system. Under the Shaktishree initiative, which was announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi last week in wake of the FM (Autonomous) College incident, the department has decided to mandate installation of CCTVs in all public colleges and universities to keep a closer watch and ensure a safe environment in the campuses. Modalities of the installation are currently being worked out. A senior official of the department informed that principals of the institutions will soon be asked to identify the locations on campuses where installation of CCTVs is required. The principals will consult the internal complaints committee (ICC) members and Shaktishree Empowerment Cells to decide upon locations on the campuses. A central control room will be established in the department for monitoring purposes. 'The idea is to bring both frequented and less frequented areas in a college or university under CCTV surveillance to keep an eye on any untoward incident that is happening on campuses including cases of sexual harassment,' said the official.
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Stricter NEP norms for opening new colleges in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: With National Education Policy-2020 in place, the Higher Education department has mandated verification of facilities available for students in colleges before granting permission. The department in a letter to all vice-chancellors of public universities, has asked them to verify availability and adequacy of facilities for both core and non-core subjects in colleges affiliated to them before recommending the grant of permission. Besides, from now on any proposal for changing the name of an institution, its location, ownership, trust or its closure will be decided based on public opinion. Officials said on receipt of such applications, public objections will be called for at the institution's expense for a period of one month. Any objection received will be duly considered by the authorities concerned before taking any decision on the proposals. These steps are aimed at maintaining quality in higher education and prevent mushrooming of substandard institutions. At the meeting, proposals of at least 22 private degree colleges to open new PG courses on their campuses were rejected due to lack of infrastructure and faculty members.
