Berhampur University

About Berhampur University

The Berhampur University came into existence on 2nd January 1967. The University was later shifted to the present site known as Bhanja Bihar, named after the celebrated poet of Orissa Kabisamrat Upendra Bhanja. The university has a wide area under its jurisdiction comprising the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Nowrangapur, Malkangiri, Kandhamala and Boudh. Eleven Govt. colleges, sixty two non Govt. colleges and twenty six professional technical colleges are affiliated to the university. To the credit of the university these institutes cater to the need of students in various subjects and disciplines such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Education, Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacology, Homoeopathy, Ayurveda, Nursing, Military Science, Library Science and Fine Arts.

There are twenty post-graduate departments in the university offering specialized subjects and M. Phil programmes. Some of the faculties like Mass Communication, Tourism and Indian Monuments, Electronic Science, Computer Science, Marine Science, Military Science make the University stand apart from some other universities of the country.The university has achieved great distinction in the academic world due to the qualitative and quantitative production of M. Phil., Ph.D., D. Litt and D. Sc degrees. So far many projects, major and minor funded by the U.G.C., I.C.S.S.R., C.S.I.R. and D.S.T. etc. have been completed. About two hundred fifty research oriented and text books have been published by the teachers. The university has the record of holding seminars and conferences every year apart from organising weekly seminars in the departments. Several U.G.C. sponsored Refresher Courses/Orientation Programmes/Summer Institutes are conducted in the university for the benefit of the university and college teachers.

With all such multifarious academic activities the university has so far received reciprocal recognition from many Indian universities. At present the Campus has eight teaching blocks, eight hostels, a health centre, an Engineering Office, a guest house, an M.E. School, a High School/Junior College, a Library, a Museum-cum-Archival Cell, a landing ground, a Play ground, a Sports Council centre, a shopping complex, a Canteen, an S.B.I. Branch, a Post Office, three temples and an Administrative Building with a Distant Education Cell and a College Development Council. On the whole for past many decades the university has remained as the symbol of glory and prosperity for the people of South Orissa. Though the university has completed 40 years and has carved for itself a place of pride in the academic map of the country, yet it has miles and miles ahead to go in the service of the students, scholars and society and the country at large.

Constituent Institutes

Women’s Studies Research Centre - The Women’s Studies Research Centre which was started in 1988 as a UGC sponsored five year project got periodic extensions until March, 2000 when the centre was accorded the permanent status by the Government of Orissa. The Centre has introduced M.Phil. Course in Women’s Studies from 2000-2001 with a provision of 12 seats. The course offers two compulsory papers such as (1) Research Methodology (2) Women and Society and elective papers namely Family Life Education/Women Empowerment. The students have to prepare Dissertation carrying 100 marks which should be a field oriented project work on women related issues.

Centre for Regional Studies - Established in 1989, the centre for Regional Studies relating to Bhanja Literature is operating in the Berhampur University with the financial support of the U.G.C.

C.S.C. - There is a Canadian study center to promote studies and research on indo-canadian relationship, traditions and culture.

DOD - The Department of Ocean Development ( Government of India on January 15, 1998 established an autonomous cell- Ocean Science & Technology Cell (OSTC) on Marine Coastal Ecology by signing an MOU with Berhampur University for promotion and implementation of advanced studies and research on marine coastal ecology. The OST Cell has started functioning inside the premises of Berhampur University since then.

Location - The university is 12 kilometres and 5 kilometres away from the Berhampur City and Sea-beach of Gopalpur respectively

Faculty

1. Faculty of Science
2. Faculty of Arts
3. Faculty of Business
4. Faculty of Law

Facilities

Computer Centre - The Computer Centre of Berhampur University came into being in the year 1986. Since its inception it has been rendering such services as practical training to the students of different P.G. Departments, computation work of faculty and research scholars of the university and computerization of administrative jobs including examinations, pay roll and other finance related works of the university. In the past it had also offered its facilities to a good number of people undergoing various computer awareness courses like CCCAP and UGC sponsored Teachers’ Training Programme. The students of PGDCA and MCA courses had used the Computer Centre for practical classes until the P.G. Department of Computer Science was established. The hardware facilities of the Centre at present include adequate number of PCs, a Line Printer, a number of Dot Matrix Printers and an Internet system including VSAT antenna and a Server. The Computer Centre has been rechristened as Biju Patnaik Computer Centre, since 1999 in fond memory of the former Chief Minister of Orissa, Sri. Biju Patnaik.

H. M. Distance Education Center - The Harihara Mardaraj Distance Education Center works with a motto of providing education at the door step of the students. The distance education center offers number of under graduate, post graduate and professional courses. The Various Courses Offered by H.M. Distance Education Center are P. G. Courses in Arts and Commerce and Science and M.B.A, Degree Courses in Arts and Commerce and Science, P. G. Diploma Courses and Professional Courses

Library - The University R.P. Padhi Library came into existence in the year 1968. Over the years it has considerably grown in size both in terms of its membership as well as in its holdings and services. At present there are 96997 books/7752 rare and antique books and 33,000 back volumes of Journals. The Library also subscribes to 26 journals and 22 news papers. Its membership extends mainly to students, scholars, teachers and employees of the University which at present stands at 2,482.

Hostels - At present there are eight hostels in the University campus to provide accommodation to the post graduate and M.Phil. students of the University.Hostels bearing names Rushikulya, Bansadhara, Nagabali, Indravati and Bahuda are meant for boys whereas Mahendra Tanaya and Saberi are meant for Girls. Apart from this there is Jogendra Hostel which accommodates research scholars working in different departments.

Students’ Council And Clubs - These are Welfare Club, Cultural Club, Athletic Club.

Scholarships - Various scholarships / loan stipend and other financial benefits are being awarded by different authorities to the meritorious and deserving students. Some of these are National Scholarship, P.G. Merit Scholarship, Post-Matric Scholarship, National Loan Scholarship etc.

Achievements

• It is a permanent member of the Inter University Board of India and Sri Lanka as well as that of the Association of Common Wealth University of London.
• The University has got NAAC accreditation with a rating of B+

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Information compiled from: Berhampur University Website