Odisha State Higher Education Council

🌟 Proud Moment for Berhampur University! 🌟

Berhampur University has been awarded the prestigious PAIR (Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research) grant by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) as the hub institution. This remarkable consortium includes other spoke institutions like Central University of Punjab, Tezpur University, Cotton University, and Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research University.

Out of 30 shortlisted hubs, only 7 were selected for final funding – and we’re proud to be among them! ✨

Led by Dr. Tapan Kumar Barik and guided by our Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Geetanjali Dash, Berhampur University will work on two cutting-edge thematic areas: 🔬 Molecular & Synthetic Biology
🌱 Environmental Sustainability

Key research areas include:

Combating antimicrobial resistance & cancer

Mosquito microbiome research to fight vector-borne diseases

Tackling urban air quality in 12 non-attainment cities

Addressing climate change & environmental challenges

This PAIR initiative is a leap forward for multidisciplinary innovation, industry-academia collaboration, and societal impact. Let’s celebrate this new era of research excellence from Berhampur University! 🎓🚀

🌿 Big News for Biodiversity! 🌿

Berhampur University (BU) has received a grant of ₹32.48 lakh from the Central Government for a groundbreaking initiative to conserve and multiply threatened endemic plant species of Southern Odisha! 💚

🔸 The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has released ₹11.36 lakh as the first installment under the Assistance to Botanic Garden (ABG) scheme for 2024-25.

🔸 A botanical garden will be developed on 4 acres of BU’s campus to preserve rare, endangered, and threatened plant species—especially from the Mahendragiri region of Gajapati district.

🔸 With expert guidance from the Botanical Survey of India, this 3-year project aims to:
✅ Conserve 41 rare plant species
✅ Create a nursery to support preservation
✅ Promote plantation efforts in educational institutions

🌱 This is a major step towards preventing plant extinction and promoting traditional knowledge systems! Kudos to BU’s Department of Botany and the dedicated team leading this mission. 🙌

A Team led by Dr. Tushar Tripathy and Dr. Pradeep Kumar Behera from Higher Education Department, Govt. of Odisha, visited Dhamnagar College for NAAC re-accreditation review.

The team inspected academic facilities like the library and science labs. Discussions focused on NAAC preparations and future plans. Faculty and staff also participated in a session on improvement of the college.

Ms. Subhashree Mohapatra from Department of Chemistry, Utkal University conducted as study titled Synthesis and Characterization of Some Multicomponent Transition Metal Chalcogenides for Energy Storage and Photocatalytic Applications, supported under OURIIP initiative.

The primary aim of her study is to synthesize multicomponent transition metal chalcogenides (sulphides and selenides) for two vital applications: i) Energy storage solutions, especially for hybrid supercapacitors. ii) Photocatalytic degradation of harmful pollutants to address environmental challenges.

This research tackles two critical global issues—enhancing energy storage systems and promoting sustainable environmental remediation. By developing these innovative multicomponent materials, Ms. Mohapatra's work advances renewable energy technologies and contributes to environmental protection by degrading pollutants efficiently. Her focus on ternary metal chalcogenides provides a promising pathway to combine energy efficiency with sustainability.

Under the Chairpersonship of the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, the Higher Education Department held a meeting with Principals of 16 Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) in Pustak Bhawan on 8th October 2024 to address key issues around infrastructure, affiliation, and NCTE eligibility criteria.

The agenda included:
i) Sharing roadmaps for converting TEIs into multidisciplinary institutions
ii) Exploring potential pathways for introducing vocational courses

These discussions aim to enhance the scope and quality of teacher education.

A significant meeting was held on October 1, 2024, at 11:00 AM in the 3rd Floor Conference Hall of Lok Seva Bhawan under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister of Higher Education. The discussion focused on the progress and roadmap for the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 across higher education institutions in Odisha. This initiative aims to revolutionize the education landscape, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and quality in the state's academic framework.

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) invites proposals for Collaborative Empirical Research on Solar Energy and Sustainability. The guidelines entailing details of framework for the studies, duration of the studies, eligibility criteria, how to apply, budget, remuneration and emoluments of project staff, joining and release of grant, monitoring of research studies and other conditions can be accessed by clicking on the link given below:

Important Information:

Guidelines:https://icssr.org/guidelines-collaborative-study-on-solar-energy-sustainability
Link to apply: https://app.icssr.org/

Last date for submission of online form: October 13, 2024

Dr. Shiv Kumari Panda from Udayanath Autonomous College of Science & Technology conducted research on creating high-performance materials from affordable biodegradable waste. Supported by OURIIP.

The study focused on the following:

i) Synthesizing biomaterials from chitosan.
ii) Characterizing these innovative materials.
iii) Exploring applications in the packaging industry.
Conducting migration toxicity and biodegradability studies for safe packaging solutions.
iv) Developing chitosan-based hydrogels.
The migration study confirms the viability of chitosan-based biomaterials for packaging applications & Chitosan hydrogels, enhanced with GNP-based nanomaterials, hold promise for the mechanical industry!

Established in 2018 under the World Bank-supported OHEPEE initiative, the Centre of Excellence in Integrated Omics and Computational Biology (CoE-IOCB) at Utkal University is at the forefront of interdisciplinary research.

With state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Centre focuses on multi-omics approaches and computational biology to explore climate resilience in crops, natural compound bioprospecting, tissue regeneration, and epigenetic modulation in ageing. '

Engaging with leading national and international research institutes, CoE-IOCB is driving impactful research that addresses global challenges in life sciences.

OSHEC organized a meeting on 21st September' 24 to review the preparedness of universities for implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) and the NEP-compliant undergraduate curriculum for the 2024-25 academic session.

The meeting, chaired by the Vice-Chairperson of OSHEC/ Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department, Govt. of Odisha, witnessed the active participation from the Controllers of Examinations (CoEs). Delegates discussed the relevant issues/challenges faced by academic institutions in the state's NEP implementation process.

Centre of Excellence: Regional Development & Tribal Studies (COE-RDTS), Sambalpur University, established in 2018 with a grant from the Odisha Higher Education Program for Excellence & Equity (OHEPEE), supported by the Government of Odisha and the World Bank, COE-RDTS has emerged as a leading regional institute in Western Odisha.

Through its multi- and trans-disciplinary research approaches, the Centre focuses on addressing critical issues of underdevelopment, socio-economic vulnerability, and cultural exclusion in both tribal and non-tribal communities. By providing key insights for policy interventions, COE-RDTS is driving meaningful change and promoting regional development.

Dr. Sanjeeb Kumar Dey from Ravenshaw University conducted a study on the Impact of GST on Indirect Tax Revenue and its Stakeholders in Odisha, supported under OURIIP.

Key Findings:

Consumer Awareness: 70% of consumers are aware of GST on products and services, yet 58% believe government awareness programs are inadequate.

Business Growth: Registered businesses in Odisha have grown by 123%, from 1,39,875 to 3,12,122, with an 80% compliance rate in GST return filing as of July 2022.

The study emphasizes that GST is India’s most significant tax reform since independence, aimed at boosting revenue and improving the quality of life. Success depends on its affordability and its role in reducing economic inequality.