Odisha universities’ dip in national ranking leaves Higher Education dept in a quandary

Odisha government is setting up many universities in the State. However, the national rankings of those varsities are slipping considerably. Expressing concern over the development, the Higher Education Department in the State has started an initiative to find out the reasons behind the decline of quality education in the universities.

Perturbed by the falling National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranks, the Higher Education Department in the State has written letters to its Regional Directors asking them to find appropriate reasons behind it.

As per reports, the quality of higher education is declining fast in Odisha. Due to a lack of infrastructure and the required number of lecturers, the varsities and degree colleges in the State are performing miserably in achieving good national-level rankings.

Odisha Higher Education Minister had called for a review meeting on July 8 to have introspection about the possible causes behind the fall in NAAC and NIRF ranks of the universities. It has been decided in the meeting that proper actions will be taken in this direction to improve the rankings.

 The Department has asked all its Regional Directors to visit the ground level to find out the shortcomings of the universities and degree colleges across the State and submit reports accordingly. The Department has also ordered to engage outsourced agencies in the work if required.

The Department has further asked to submit lists showing the number of posts vacant in the higher educational institutions across the State. It is evident from the initiative that all is not well in the Higher Educational Departments of the State.

On the other hand, several students and guardians have raised question marks over the system of higher education in the State.
“Due to scarcity of teachers, national rankings of our universities are falling fast. Our rankings will improve by appointing the required number of teachers only,” said Sridharana Moharana, a student.

“Nothing is happening in our universities as research work. Only additions and subtractions are made to two or three projects as research. We have not yet adopted qualitative study as per the New Education Policy,” said Ashutosh Dash, another student.

“Instead of guest faculties, permanent teaching and non-teaching staff should be appointed to improve the performances of our universities,” said Krushnachandra Pati, President of Utkal Guardians’ Association.

As per the recently published NIRF rank, none of the government varsities in the State have found a place in the Top 10 list. Lagging at 93rd place, only Utkal University has managed to be included in the Top 100 list. However, in NAAC ranking, the varsity has slipped from A++ to A+.

As per experts, the higher educational institutions are slipping in national rankings due to poor infrastructure, lack of required number of lecturers and poor research work.

“By appointing guest faculties only, we can’t improve the national rankings of our universities. Permanent faculties should do regular research work to improve the standard of teaching and there should be proper laboratories and other infrastructure facilities for it,” said educationist Prabodh Panda.

Meanwhile, as per the State Higher Education Department, the government is trying its best on how the varsities in the State will perform well to improve their rankings in the national level.

“A Higher Secondary Council has been formed especially to look after the performances and national rankings of our varsities. Hopefully, things will improve in near future,” said Tanmay Swain, adviser of Higher Education Department.