BPUT adopts OUAT model, gets pro-chancellor

BHUBANESWAR: The state cabinet on Monday approved a pro-chancellor post for Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT). The Cabinet gave its nod to the BPUT Act 2002 Amendment Bill under which technical education and training minister will hold the post ex-officio.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, chief secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra said the provision will facilitate better functioning of the university. Currently, the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) is the only state university which has an ex-officio pro-chancellor's post, occupied by agriculture minister.
The BPUT bill is likely to come during the coming assembly session. It proposes to reduce the tenure of vice-chancellor to three years compared to five years now. The tenure of VCs of all other state universities is three years. The proposed change would bring uniformity among all universities, said Mohapatra.
The amendment suggests that an Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer not below the rank of joint secretary will be appointed as registrar while an Odisha Finance Service officer will be made finance officer. Under the existing provision, there is no specific mention about category of officers who can become registrar or finance officer.
The bill proposes to have two student representatives as members of the academic council, varsity's apex decision-making body on academic matters.
It also makes academic calendar for the varsity non-negotiable. Timely completion of examinations and publication of results have been major problem for the technical university. After the amendment, students' grievances redressal cell will be a statutory requirement.