December 30th 2024.
In the beautiful district of Keonjhar stands the Government Engineering College at Jamunalia. Affiliated with BPUT, the college has been facing a multitude of challenges that are hindering its growth and success. The most pressing issue is the severe shortage of permanent staff, leaving more than half of the faculty positions vacant. This has had a negative impact on the quality of education, causing disruptions in studies for the students. In addition, the lack of proper road infrastructure has made it difficult for students to commute to the college.
This college, which was initially established for diploma programs, is about to reach its 30th anniversary. Over the years, the number of students has increased steadily, with more than 1,500 students currently enrolled and approximately 400 graduating each year. However, due to various shortcomings, the college struggles to meet the expectations of its students and has become an unattractive choice for many.
Presently, the college has 64 sanctioned faculty positions, including professors, associate professors, and assistant professors, except for the post of principal. Sadly, only 20 of these positions are filled, leaving 44 vacancies unaddressed. Similarly, out of the 33 approved non-teaching staff positions, only nine employees have been appointed.
The college community has been advocating for autonomous status for M.Tech programs, believing it would improve the infrastructure and academic standards. This is a crucial step as many students are unable to pursue higher education due to the absence of M.Tech programs. While outsourced employees have been temporarily hired to fill the vacant positions, they lack the same sense of responsibility as permanent employees, leading to a decline in the quality of education.
The lack of an adequate number of faculty members has affected the smooth functioning of the college in various ways. For instance, question papers are prepared and answer scripts are evaluated by an autonomous engineering college in Rourkela, creating difficulties for the students of this college. Additionally, the absence of sports facilities has forced students to travel to Sankarpur or the OSME playground for physical activities. Despite conducting both state and Central government exams, the college remains neglected by the authorities.
The road connecting the college to Keonjhar town is in poor condition, riddled with potholes and exposed metal rods at several places. Furthermore, the bridge on this route restricts the passage of large vehicles, making it challenging for students and staff to commute. Construction work within the campus is progressing at a slow pace, which is hindering the beautification of the college. Moreover, the poor communication infrastructure has discouraged private companies from participating in campus placements.
Shailabala Parida, the general secretary of a voluntary organization called Youth and Labour Development Forum, has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, demanding immediate staff appointments, construction of a good road from the district headquarters to the college, and the introduction of M.Tech programs. The Chief Minister's nominee and coordinator of the BJP for Keonjhar Sadar constituency committee, Vivekananda Mohanta, has assured that the new state government will prioritize resolving these issues swiftly. Subrata Mohanty, the MP's representative, has also been informed of the various problems plaguing the college and has promised to take appropriate steps for their resolution.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
