12 Odisha Universities in UGC’s Defaulting List for Ombudsperson Appointment

Bhubaneswar: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 12 universities in Odisha for their non-compliance with the appointment of an ombudsperson, as mandated by UGC guidelines. The list includes prominent institutions like Utkal University, BPUT, VIMSAR, and XIM University.

A total of 419 universities nationwide, comprising 254 state universities, 1 central university, 162 state private universities, and 2 deemed universities, have been categorized as defaulting universities for not appointing Ombudsperson(s) under the University Grants Commission (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023.

The UGC has issued a public notice urging these universities to appoint Ombudsperson(s) within 30 days of the Regulations’ notification. Earlier directives from the UGC had set a deadline of December 31, 2023, for universities to appoint Ombudsperson(s) and implement other provisions of UGC Regulations.

Here is the list of Odisha universities yet to appoint Ombudsperson(s):

Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT), Rourkela
International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Bhubaneswar
Khallikote University, Berhampur
Odisha University of Health Sciences, Bhubaneswar
Odisha University of Technology and Research, Bhubaneswar
Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar
Rajendra University, Balangir
Shri Jagannath Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Puri
Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar
Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar
Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, Sambalpur
XIM University (Formerly Xavier University), Bhubaneswar
The universities are expected to comply with the UGC’s guidelines promptly to address the concerns of students and adhere to the regulatory framework.