Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 14: Utkal University, the state’s oldest university, is grappling with myriad of problems as several pass-outs consider the university has done precious little to provide jobs through its placement cells.
The placement cell has been virtually paralysed as campus selection under self-financing courses has been long overdue, alleged some pass-outs.
They said a glance at the curriculum of self-financing courses would unveil the mediocrity of varsity education. Pitiably, many qualified students are struggling to get employed and a few others are engaged by private companies with a meagre salary of Rs 3,000-4,000, they maintained.
The premier institution offers 43 courses of which 27 are general and 16 are self-financing. Of 4,200 students enrolled with the university, 3,747 are pursuing general courses and 453 self-financing. There are no takers for 121 seats in self-financing courses.
According to placement cell officer Sarit Kumar Panda, “Only 137 of 453 got jobs under the self-financing courses during 2014-15. Similarly, 42 of 3,747 pass-outs who pursued general courses got placements this year.”
Spending lakhs of rupees on self-financing courses proves futile as several pass-outs are working like ‘bonded labourers’ in private firms. Some of the organisations are exploiting the students in the name of internship for years.
“I pursued ‘Women’s Studies’ for two years and found the study atmosphere not conducive. I’m unable to find a job though I’ve obtained a degree from the university. I’ve decided to sit tests for police and Army jobs,” said Bapi Kumar Ray, a varsity pass-out.
Rabindra Kumar Nayak, a student of tourism management, said, “The university placement cell had taken money from us, but did not call us for campus selection. It is condemnable that the varsity has suspended the course at a time when the Union government has been giving priority to tourism sector.”
A student of journalism and mass communication Soumya Ranjan Padhee said, “I came here with the hope that I would be able to get a lucrative job. But the lack of teachers’ sincerity has been a concern. Most guest faculties completed the syllabus in a hurry. I was not invited to the campus selection. So I think I should start my own business.” University chairman Gopal Krushna Panda said, “Students are not keen on campus placements before completing postgraduation courses. But companies come to the campus to hire graduates only.”
“We are mulling to introduce more software and skill-based courses which would help employability. There are courses which have poor job potentiality and students pursuing such courses might face trouble in finding jobs,” he added. Vice-chancellor Ashokd Kumar Das said, “Agri-Business course has a 90 per cent campus selection record. Students are not responding to the calls for campus selection. Many think they can get better jobs in the open market and skip campus selection.”
Das, however, said, “Sorry to say that journalism department is in a neglected state. There has been reviews to upgrade the course and problems may be addressed this year.”
On tourism department, he said lack of teachers has left the department in a sorry state. However, the posts would be filled up in five-six months.