Procedural Gaps In ‘Transformation’ Put Question Mark On Future Of Khallikote University Students

Berhampur: The spectre of uncertainty hangs over the future of more than 10,000 students, who have graduated from one of the oldest educational institutions of the country, Khallikote Unitary University in Odisha’s Berhampur.

This 147-year-old institution started as a Zilla (district) school in 1856, went on to be upgraded as Khallikote Autonomous College, then as Khallikote Cluster University, Khallikote Research Intensive University, Khallikote University and finally as Khallikote Unitary University.

The transformation from autonomous college to unitary university was carried out in a matter of less than six years between 2015 and 2021.

“The transformation has left the University Grants Commission (UGC) confused about its status. Owing to this, Khallikote Unitary University, Berhampur has been de-affiliated and yet to get UGC recognition,” Vice Chancellor, Berhampur University, and In-charge VC of Khallikote Unitary University, Prof Geetanjali Dash said.

Currently, 5,500 students are studying in Khallikote Unitary University and two batches have graduated from the institution after UGC ceased to recognise it in 2021, said Prof Dash, who assumed charge of the varsity on February 1 last year.

Amid so many upgrades with an institution without following official procedures, the UGC officials are in soup reviewing the application for recognition with university status. In-charge VC is in constant touch with the UGC and Department of Higher Education to find a way out.

The authority had sought recognition for Khallikote Unitary University under Section 2 (f) of UGC Act, 1956 and updating its name and website on the UGC’s site soon after the state government upgraded Khallikote Autonomous College as unitary university on August 1, 2021.

But the Department of Higher Education upgraded Khallikote Autonomous College to a unitary university on August 1, 2021, with just a Gazette notification while UGC disallows this as a criteria for recognition.

Prof Dash said a notification by the Odisha Legislative Assembly recognising upgradation of Khallikote Autonomous College as unitary university is essential to move the case forward.

“All the students who graduated from Khallikote Unitary University since 2021 are being provided with provisional certificates. A validation act also has to be passed by the Odisha Assembly to help these students by recognising their certificates as valid,” Prof Dash said.

Though admission to +3 courses is on, the alumni cannot apply in PG courses in Berhampur University. Besides, there has been no convocation here since 2021 as the institute remains de-affiliated, she further said.

Worth mentioning that autonomy was conferred on the institution in 1990 and in May, 2006,  it was accorded the status of ‘CPE’ College with Potential of Excellence by the UGC. The college has the rare distinction of being the foremost College of the state in getting ‘A’ Grade by NAAC accreditation in January 2017.

The institution has produced gems such as Justice B Jagannath Das, former Judge of Supreme Court, Chief Justice Lingaraj Panigrahi, Justice P Balakrishna Rao, Late Biswanath Das, Ex-Governor, Vice-Admiral HL Sharma and Late Dr V V Giri, former President of India.

While the century-old institution will celebrate its 147th anniversary in August this year, the fate of thousands of students who graduated from the institution during these five years hangs in balance.

Prof Dash said she is under mental stress pondering over the future of thousands of students. However, she is optimistic that Odisha Assembly will pass a bill soon to facilitate recognition and higher education for the students, keeping in view their future and repute of “an institution which has been a source of knowledge and inspiration”.