Tag: Utkal University

Bhubaneswar: A two days National workshop on “National Works on Geospatial Data Analysis for Natural Resource Management” was inaugurated in the department of Geography, UtkalUniversity, today.

“It is very important when we are concerned with planning, conservation, and management of our natural resources. Geospatial Data Analysis along with new technologies(IT) can add a new dimension to situational analysis, can solve problems, can solve planning and sustainable management of natural resources i:e. land, water, forest, and minerals
which are under threat due to many reasons throughout the world ” Prof. Sabita Acharya the vice chancellor delivered his thoughts in the occasion.

Prof Gopal Krishna Panda, chief speaker of the day spoke on different dimensions of Geo-spatial technology focusing on Geo-analytics, Geo-design, Geo-visualization and Geo-Collaboration as a paradigm shift of 21st Century. He emphasized building skill on cloud computing, DEM, Web GIS and learning of programming languages for application in Natural Resource Management.

Apart from that Prof. Nigamananda Das, Director, College Development thanked the organizers
for having this kind of national workshop and said: “There is a need to prudently manage these
delicate resources with the current trend in the advancement in the field of information
technology, natural resources managers have now laid a lot of emphasis on the use of geospatial technology in the management of natural resources providing a platform through which managers can generate information that can be used to make sound decisions for sustainable development”.

Dr. Krishna Chandra Rath, Head of the department and the Convener welcomed the guests while Dr. Kabir Mohan Sethy Co-convener introduced the guest on dais. Students, faculties, media persons and staff were present in the workshop. Dr. Ashis Chandra Pathy, Organizing Secretary read the objectives and outcome of the workshop and coordinated the program. Dr. Rumana Khatun ended up the session with her vote of thanks.

Goethe University to join hands with Utkal to promote millets

The Goethe University of Germany will join hands with Utkal University to boost the production of the nutrient-rich millets. With the least water consumption, low carbon footprint, and the fact that millets can be grown even during drought conditions, the millets are referred to as climate-friendly crops, said Prof. Roland Hardenberg of Fresenius Institute at Goethe University here on Monday.

Delivering a lecture on ‘Food Sovereignty, Food Security and Religion in Odisha and Beyond’ organised by Utkal University’s International Office, Prof. Roland said his research on tribals of Koraput and Rayagada and their food pattern prompted him to improve nutrition at the household level through the revival of millets in farms and on plates of tribal communities in Odisha.

Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University Prof. Sabita Acharya said efforts to collaborate with foreign universities and bringing the Professors to this institution will benefit research scholars and faculty members of Odisha. While the Vice-Chancellor introduced Prof. Roland, Prof. Sanjay Kumar Sarangi coordinated the programme. Vote of thanks was given by Dr. Chinmay Pradhan.

Meanwhile, Odisha government on Monday also celebrated ‘Millets Divas’. Recently, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved celebration of ‘Millets Divas’ on the first Thursday of the Hindu month of Margasira (November). The primary aim of celebrating the day is to promote ‘mandia’ or millets as a highly nutritive and eco-friendly food product.

Gandhian way to confront challenges

Bhubaneswar: Older women continue to meaningfully contribute to their political, civil, economic, social and cultural lives. But their contributions and experiences remain largely invisible and disregarded, limited by gendered disadvantages, said experts at a workshop to mark the United Nation’s International Day of Older Persons on Thursday.

Speaking at the workshop on ‘Resilience and Contribution of Older Women’ organised by Sociology and Psychology departments of Utkal University in collaboration with HelpAge India, the experts said the intersection between discrimination based on age and gender compounds new and existing inequalities, including negative stereotypes that combine ageism and sexism.

Head of Psychology department Prof. Bhaswati Patnaik stressed on the idea of mental aging and stereotypification of the elderly. Among others, Director of SSEPD Department Bratati Harichandan,Joint Director and State Head of HelpAge India Bharti Chakra, eminent Gynaecologist Dr. Seba Mohapatra and renowned women’s rights activist Bishakha Bhanja also spoke.

While Assistant Professor Dr. Tanaya Mohanty welcomed and introduced the panelists, Assistant Professor of Psychology Mousumi Sethi offered a vote of thanks.

Associate Professor of Sociology Department Dr. Rabindra Garada chaired a technical session.
Debashree Brahma of HelpAge India, Assistant Professor of Sociology department Dr. Atashi Rath, Sasmita Soren of RD University and Assistant Professor of Sociology department Dr. Dinabandhu Sahoo,. Lucy Hembram and Sunanda Patnaik were present. Assistant Professor of Sociology Dr. Papesh Kumar Lenka gave the vote of thanks for the technical session.

Ms. Adysha Sahoo, Department of Sociology and Ms. Zainab Tashneem, Department of psychology anchored and coordinated both the sessions.

Read: Gandhian way to confront challenges

Free health camp organised at Utkal. The Rural Outreach wing under RUSA 2.0 of Utkal University on Tuesday organised a free health check-up and ergonomic camp at University Health Centre on campus.

Inaugurating the health camp held in collaboration with Kalinga Hospital, Vice Chancellor Prof. Sabita Acharya said health problems could be highlighted by holding such camps and expressed her satisfaction over the active involvement of students and staff in the endeavor.

About 120 staff underwent various tests including random blood sugar, pulse check-up, blood pressure, BMD etc. Doctors made suitable recommendations. General Physician Dr. Jyoti Prakash Sahoo and Orthopedics specialist Dr. Indranil Dey attached to Kalinga Hospital conducted the tests and screened
the visitors.

Later at a function in the Vice Chancellor’s conference hall, Kalinga Hospital’s Manager of Operations Dr.Narendra Kumar Satapathy made a presentation on ergonomic assessment. Registrar Dr. Avaya Kumar Nayak, Comptroller of Finance, Gautama Pradhan, Deputy Coordinator of RUSA 2.0 Dr. BK Sundaray, Director of UECH Prof. AA Khan, PRO, Ameet Kumar Parichha were present. Programme Manager Liza Swain coordinated the health camp with all the other Program Managers, Rural Outreach team.

Gandhian way to confront challenges

Bhubaneswar: Mahatma Gandhi has actually become all the more pertinent in the 21st century.”Whichever challenge we confront, you can be sure that the Gandhian way is a real, live option, an option that informs and illuminates. As the world faces growing challenges of terrorism, the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi has become all the more pertinent and the Gandhian way is a real option to confront the global challenges” said former Vice Chancellor of Ravenshaw University Prof. Prakash Chandra Sarangi here on Friday.

Addressing a national seminar on ‘Idea of Swaraj and Contemporary Challenges’ organized by RUSA CoE -Centre for the Study of Language, Literature & Culture of Utkal University at PG Council Hall, Prof. Sarangi said Mahatma Gandhi’s ideologies are still relevant today. “His ideas are timeless. Gandhiji focused on upliftment of marginalized sections of the society. I would say Gandhiji’s principle was not about social welfare but social solidarity. While there is no communication between rich and poor today, new threats to peace and harmony have emerged”, he stressed.

Vice Chancellor of the Utkal University Prof. Sabita Acharya said, “Today, we are celebrating 75 glorious years of Independence. We are living in a competitive world where self-empowerment is the need of the hour among students to find out the challenges towards Swaraj. We are living in a country like India where Mahatma Gandhi, a great human being, sacrificed his life with his great ideologies.”

Former Joint Secretary to Rajya Sabha Sri. Satya Narayana Sahu recalled the steps taken by Gandhi during his studies in South Africa and Indian freedom struggle. Dadabhai Naoroji had theorised on the drain of wealth from the nation in his book ‘Poverty and Un-British Rule in India’ (1901). Indian self- government was developed by Naoroji that had been entrusted to Odisha famine and American Civil war, he added.

Speaking on fearlessness of Naoroji, Sahu said despite sedition charges against him, the Grand Old Man of India had guts to write a book about the British rules. Similarly, Gandhi had been an ardent critic of sedition law during his life; he added and stressed to promote the idea of Swaraj in the society.

Chairing the inaugural ceremony, Coordinator of RUSA CoE and Professor of Sanskrit Department Dr.Subhas Chandra Dash welcomed the guests. Assistant Professor of Political Science department Dr.Swapna Prabhu elaborated the seminar topic, while Assistant Professor of English S. Deepika gave the vote of thanks.

Free health camp organised at Utkal