Bhubaneswar: Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj Sunday asserted that the long-standing demand of students to grant university status for Shailabala Women’s Autonomous College in Cuttack has not been overlooked.
Responding to criticism following the State Budget 2026– 27, Suraj said the state government is implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in a phased manner, which envisages establishing one university in each of 30 districts.
“As per NEP 2020, there will be 30 universities across all districts, and this will be implemented in many phases. In this year’s budget, priority has been given to districts that currently do not have any university,” Suraj said.
The statement comes after CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced plans to set up new universities in four districts, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak and Jharsuguda, during the current phase of expansion.
Following the announcement, students of Shailabala Women’s Autonomous College in Cuttack staged demonstrations, demanding that the women’s college be upgraded to university status.
Students argue that the institution has the required academic credentials, faculty strength and infrastructure to merit university status.
Student representatives said the demand has been pending for years despite repeated assurances.
They believe granting university status would significantly strengthen women’s higher education in the region.
Talking to OrissaPOST, Mousumi Mohanty, a student, said, “We want answers from the government.
What does the government plan to do? Our college is one of the oldest women’s colleges in the state, and despite that, the state government has been neglecting the institution.
We have spoken with Barabati MLA Sofi A Firdous, and she has assured us that she will raise the issue in the Assembly.”
Suraj reiterated that while immediate priority has been given to districts without universities, the government remains committed to addressing the aspirations of institutions like Shailabala Women’s Autonomous College.