Odisha to get its first womens' university, says Education Minister Pradeep Panigrahi

Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) has accepted Odisha government's proposal regarding according univeristy status to Rama Devi Womens' College here and a cluster varsity status to Khalikote College in Berhampur, said Odisha's higher education minister Pradeep Panigrahi.

"The Central government sponsored Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) accepted Odisha government's proposal regarding this," said Panigrahi adding that Rama Devi Women College would be the state's first womens' unviersity in the state.

Women colleges which are functioning under the administrative control of Utkal University will be brought under the new women's university, said the minister.

Further, he said the RUSA has also agreed to give a Cluster University status to Berhampur-based Khallikote Autonomous College.

"Colleges which are located nearer to Khallikote College will be brought under the cluster university's purview," he added.

The Centre would release Rs 55 crore each for these two new universities in three years under RUSA for infrastructure development. The state government has decided to introduce more courses in these two new universities, he informed.