In a significant move to strengthen higher education in Odisha, the state government has announced plans to fill 1,353 vacant teaching positions across various public universities. The recruitment process will be carried out under the New Odisha University Amendment Act, which aims to speed up and simplify the hiring process.
Minister Holds Meeting with Vice-Chancellors
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj held a high-level meeting on Tuesday with Vice Chancellors from all state-run universities. During the meeting, he instructed them to submit detailed proposals for recruitment as soon as possible. These proposals will outline the number and type of faculty members needed at each institution.
The recruitment will be based on the guidelines of the recently amended Odisha University Act, which is designed to remove bureaucratic hurdles and make the hiring process more efficient.
What About Non-Teaching Vacancies?
While the new act focuses on teaching staff, the Minister clarified that non-teaching positions—around 2,000 of them—will still be filled under the old recruitment rules, as no changes have yet been made in that area.
These non-teaching roles include important administrative and support staff that keep universities functioning smoothly.
Public Sector Partnerships to Boost Campus Placements
Apart from recruitment, the government is also taking steps to improve job opportunities for students. Minister Suraj revealed that the state is collaborating with public sector companies to enhance campus placements. This initiative is expected to help university graduates find better jobs and build stronger career paths.
Benefits
- Universities have been struggling with staff shortages, which affects the quality of education and research.
- Filling these 1,353 teaching posts will help reduce the burden on existing faculty and ensure students get better academic guidance.
- Addressing 2,000 non-teaching vacancies is also crucial for smooth administrative functioning.
- Strengthening industry-academia partnerships can bridge the gap between education and employment.
Odisha’s Higher Education Department is taking concrete steps to fill a large number of teaching vacancies under a new legal framework. While teaching recruitment will benefit from recent reforms, non-teaching recruitment will continue under current rules. At the same time, efforts are being made to boost student employment through partnerships with public sector enterprises.
This is a hopeful development for students, job seekers, and the overall academic ecosystem in Odisha.
