The Rama Devi Women's University in Bhubaneswar will now be able to receive Central grants and undertake various research and academic activities as the varsity has been accorded 12(B) status by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The 12(B) status is mandatory for receiving funds from the Centre and other agencies.
“The name of Rama Devi Women's University has been included in the list of universities under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956,” the UGC informed the registrar of the varsity in a letter.
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The 12(B) status was accorded to the varsity in a meeting held on July 1 on the basis of the recommendations of the UGC Standing Committee members and the report of the UGC Expert Committee.
The RD varsity authorities had submitted a proposal seeking 12-B status following which the UGC Expert Committee had visited the varsity on February 17 and 18, 2021 to consider the proposal.
The report of the Expert Committee along with the compliance submitted by the University was placed before the Standing Committee of UGC.
The Committee reviewed the report and recommended approval of 12-B status to the University.
While according the status, the committee has asked the varsity to participate in the NIRF ranking and get NAAC accreditation at the earliest.
The UGC committee also asked the varsity to maintain faculty strength in all departments as per concerned statutory council(s) and UGC norms.
It is noted that the varsity was started in 1964 as Government Women’s College in Bhubaneswar and renamed as Rama Devi Women’s College in 1969. In May 2015, Rama Devi Women’s Autonomous College was upgraded to a University.